Billy

[Marsha Cassada]

I'm taking Billy to be weighed this evening. My sister works at a local vet and I am going after hours to use the animal scale indoors. They used to let me weigh him there, but then moved the scale into an examination room, so I haven't like to ask. But we won't be in anyone's way.

 

[MaryFlora]

How did it go Marsha? Were you all able to slip in and out with no problem?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

He has only lost 5#. Very disappointing as I have been trying so hard. He has only been on the timothy cubes for a week; hopefully after a month I will see more loss.
Our son was here and he set me up on the Strava app to track our walking. Today we did 2.11 miles and averaged 2.9 mph and a 22% incline. It will be fun to keep track of his walking and driving.

 

[Abby P]

It's still a loss and not a gain! How are you feeding the cubes? Weighing them and dividing it into several meals, or?

I got a bag yesterday to check out, I gave him a few inside his muck bucket setup and it really didn't slow him down at all, he figured out right away that he could grab a giant mouthful (net and all), pull the net away from the bucket, and then shake it and all the cubes would fall on the floor! Seems like it would be really hard to slow-feed them which is too bad because I'm guessing they do have fewer calories than the forage.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

It's still a loss and not a gain! How are you feeding the cubes? Weighing them and dividing it into several meals, or?

I got a bag yesterday to check out, I gave him a few inside his muck bucket setup and it really didn't slow him down at all, he figured out right away that he could grab a giant mouthful (net and all), pull the net away from the bucket, and then shake it and all the cubes would fall on the floor! Seems like it would be really hard to slow-feed them which is too bad because I'm guessing they do have fewer calories than the forage.

We measured them by weight into a coffee can. I put some in 3 different tubs around his pen. Still giving him a pound of hay in a hay bag. He gets this twice a day. When the hay bale is gone--I am trying to transition him--I will up the measurement of cubes. He really seems to enjoy the cubes--the tubs are practically licked clean. I also let him out for up to half an hour twice a day to graze. Usually he spends the time rubbing on the junipers and wandering around.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I cannot help but compare Billy to Dapper Dan. When I work in the barn/shop with the door open, Dapper Dan would have come inside, rummaged in the trash, turned over boxes and been a general nuisance. Billy stands outside the door and just looks in. If he does come in, he just walked around quietly then leaves. Dapper Dan enjoyed knocking things over and bolting away with a buck or two when scolded. Billy never knocks anything over and wouldn't dream of bolting or bucking.
Is this because Billy has less imagination? Dapper Dan was always free to roam and interact; maybe Billy never lived like that? It's interesting that some traits that made Dapper Dan so irresistible were also traits that got him scolded.
What is the difference in character? Breeding? Life experience? Born that way?

 

[MaryFlora]

I think it is mostly his personality. When we think of friends and family, we can probably point to a few extroverts and a few more introverted and one isn’t necessarily more creative or intelligent than another.

Good questions and it will be interesting to read how others answer!

 

[LostandFound]

Boys tend to get bored more easily and look for trouble, but some it's more than others. My stallion would probably rip things apart looking for something to eat, but he wouldn't dream of messing things up for the joy of it. His colt is the same way. Well as far as that can be in a baby. He still looks for trouble, but he doesn't look very hard. I can hang the halters up within easy reach of naughty lips and neither one will bother them. Last years colt? Different stallion. High energy and always looking for trouble. Anything that was even close to being in reach of his lips was a risk. If he had to do some gymnastics to get it then that was fine with him. He would destroy a yoga ball in less than 5 minutes, and you couldn't just hang out with him because he didn't want to chill out, only play.
I think a lot if it is genetic. I do believe you can encourage them to explore more. But If my stud is perfectly happy to take a nap standing next to me, then I am happy with that.

 

[chandab]

Just different personalities.
My first horse was a half-Arabian gelding, I had him for 24 of his 27 years, he was kind and sweet, but also mischevious, he knock stuff over, if he could. My third horse was a quarter horse mare, she was no nonsense; her daughter likes to rub her teeth on the patterned metal shield on the fenders of my horse trailer. [My second horse I never bonded with, and he was sold to someone that did.] Now I have the minis, and each has it's own personality. My first is sweet and loving, he's an aged gelding, now. One mare, likes to open latches/gates, so I had to install chains on all the gates that she has access to, or she'd let everyone out. My first mare, used to steal my FILs hankie (always in his back pocket); I think she out grew it, but he also came less (he's gone now), and we don't carry one. He's since mellowed, but the first foal by the gate opening mare, kicked me everyday for a week when he was about two weeks old, it stopped as quickly as it started and he never offered to kick again, but you can still see those wheels turning in his head wondering what's next.

 

[Standards Equine]

They certainly are their own individuals, aren't they? My stallion is so honorable. Now that he's a senior stallion (14) he's really settled into his own comfort. He has loads of presence, is a bit stoic but affectionate and enjoys being fussed over. His grandson, just 2 right now, is a holy terror!! lol. Everything in his mouth, into anything and everything possible; however, he's also game to try anything new and is so incredibly forgiving.
The mares, on the other hand, are so much more dignified. Even as new fillies, they don't play and do silly things like the colts do. They are all such unique souls. It's an absolutely pleasure being able to know them all!