Meet "Bella"... a dapple grey Paso Fino who has just recently took up residency at the barn. She has been in a small quarantine paddock for three weeks, and on the 4Th of July, we moved her into Star's pasture...expecting to see proverbial "fireworks" that come from introducing two mares into the same pasture. I'll tell you about that introduction later, but first meet "Bella"...
Previously owned by a teenager, turned college student, and kept in the pasture for 4 years...Bella has become a little...well, she's a little intrusive when it comes to personal space, but it's because she hasn't been worked with on a daily basis for four years. . She's very "oral" for a horse...not a "cribber" (one that chews on wood) but she does a lot with her mouth as far as expressing herself...her personality is somehow tied in with her mouth and her lips and her facial expressions. She has specific preferences for taste...and temperature as far as her water...she loves to lick the salt block and loves to get in your personal space with her lips...most horse owners don't really mind this intrusion, as long as it's not in a disrespectful way, but I honestly think Bella is attempting to be affectionate...there is no disrespect intended...she's just an oddball, but very sweet. Below are some pictures of her being her weird self
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.Star is on the left (barely in the shot)...saying in no uncertain terms...get away! Bella is visiting with Kirk and Lady across the fence...oblivious to Star's foul mood!
Here she is swinging her rear around, about to kick the snot out of Bella, if need be. The really funny thing about it is, that Bella never really got involved in any of the drama, she was like "whatever girl, I've seen your type before...you're all bark"... I've read about this type of behavior in magazines and books, but to actually see it, was something unforgettable. What is really amazing is that all horses do this in the same situation....it's not just these two...it's a God thing for sure...this inborn behavior. I look forward to seeing these two grow into fast friends...as long as Bella remembers who's boss that is!
She could lick on the salt block all day long, and I do believe if she were human, she'd definitely be a chain smoker, a nail biter, or a gum chewer! Below are more pictures of the "fireworks" when the girls were put in the pasture together. Star flattened out her ears, charged after Bella and then turned her butt to her, to kick her...she was telling Bella in no uncertain terms..."this is my pasture, I was here first, and if you plan to stay, then you need to know that I will be in charge at all times". It was kinda' funny, because deep down, that's how Star would like to behave all the time if we didn't' keep her in line. But as they say at the barn..."what happens in the pasture, stays in the pasture", so these girls are going to have to work it all out on their own! 
4 comments:
wow! she is funny and that makes her adorable. I didn't know that horses like salt. Thank you for the post.
Very interesting!!
We just found a little puppy that we named Bella! She is so cute! You will meet her on my blog when I get home! Oh and I updated JUST for you!
Thanks for explaining the personalities. It was kinda like hearing a story with a picture book. What an intuned owner you are.
These pictures are fabulous!!! Madison loves to look at them! There is a horse where she rides that is ALWAYS using his lips & tongue. Such a fun personality! I wonder if I could send my girls out to pasture and let them figure it out - then come back happy? Hmmm... Nice thought, but I guess it's frowned on. ;-)
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