Mini horse stories that would shock disbelievers

[Shari]

I have had people tell me that horses do not look up... couple of them well known trainers. Well, I guess my horses did not read their book... because if they see planes in the sky... they will look at them for quite awhile.

When we were moving, I could not bring Dyfra with us because I only had room for the mini's until hubby could get some fence up. The mini's knew Dyfra was missing. Took me 6 months before we got the barbed wire gone and fencing up for Dyfra. They all knew each other before Dyfra got off the trailer. Theia promply had to go mess with her. They remembered each other.

When I was hurt all my horses knew something was wrong. Dyfra normally would greet you with a nudge..but the first time I was able to go out..and just sit. DS brought her to me... and very gentlly sniffed me but did not nudge me. Even when she got scared of things she did not do her normal reaction....she was very, very careful around me.

Even stinker Theia... kept staring at my walker when I was using it. She would walk over... knock it over and stand under my hand. She was telling me... just like her mother, it was better to use her help than that stupid walker.

No one can tell me an animal is not smart or does not care. My animals show me more kindness than the general public.

 

[Candice]

This picture says it all. He's about 3 mos old here and yes he's driving that monster truck!!!! Boys and their toys!!! Not surewhat you guys let your horses play with but my boys drive monster trucks!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/cef/100_3243.jpg

 

[xxs]

ROTF!!! Candice, you need to send that picture to equusite.com ! That is the cutest thing ever!

 

[wildoak]

I am taking an Equine Anatomy class in college and horses are second to elephants as far as memory is concerned

That's interesting - I know horses never forget a bad experience. May have been something small in our view, but if they are frightened or hurt, that memory seems to be there forever. Great for self-preservation, better than many people I know

Most of us who have ridden and/or had kids around horses have seen the great babysitter horses. I've had a couple of wonderful mares who were so careful and patient with kids on their backs but were ready to go with an adult on their backs. I had a little QH mare for many years (until we had to put her down at 29) who would hardly take a step with a child aboard, but as soon as I got on she was wide awake and very quick underneath you.

I watched a kid ride in the warmup at a big QH show years ago with my heart in my throat at first. This was about a 5-6 year old girl on a big old horse. There were probably 50 horses give or take in the warm up, reiners running and sliding, pleasure horses, barrel horses, etc - a chaotic and not particularly safe environment. This kid literally fell asleep on her horses back, nodded off eyes closed.....the horse either walked or slow jogged around the rail dodging horses, never raised his head or took a quick step. I've never seen such an example of a horse taking care of someone - and I never saw her parents. Imagine she had grown up on this horse, and was totally comfortable with him.

Jan

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

wow what a great thread, very enjoyable stories! well i feel like i am repeating but we also have a horse that will turn on the hose when his water bucket is empty. too bad he doesn't turn it back off again! and i bought a miniature donkey out of Texas, brought her here to Arizona, a year later bought another from the same lady, turns out these two were best buds as foals, and they sure did remember each other! and my APHA mare is another one that is very quiet and steady with a small child or beginner, but can really get up and go if you know what you are doing. then there is my daughter's PMU filly Destiny, she came to us the day she was 5 months old and it was very hard for Hilary to wait so long to ride her, but raising the foal they have a pretty neat bond. now when Destiny approaches something she is not sure of, rather than freak out she just stops and looks at it, for instance a walk-through gate with a bar across at 12" from the ground to keep wheeled vehicles out - she stopped and looked, did not want to walk through even after my horse did. Hilary then got off and walked over it and before she could even try to coax Destiny she was already following. it's as if she thought well, if mom can do it, so can i!

 

[Shortpig]

All of these great posts have made my day! I so love stories of horses that are heartwarming and true.

They are such smart caring animals. They show love, hate, irritation and depression when a beloved friend either leaves the farm or passes away. They show true love, no pretending about what their feelings are.

Keep them coming they are so enjoyable to read or in some cases bring tears to my eyes. What wonderful gifts God has given us to enjoy and love.

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

I have a few good horse (or barn) related stories, but the one that really surprised me was the one about "Teacup" my 28"bay pinto mare. Bought her from Becky 4 years ago. She has always been the outsider( although this is year 4 and its getting a little better) The other mares never allowed her in the run in, always last to eat, last to come into the barn,chased away from the hay, scared of her own shadow and every one else. Generally mistreated by every horse on the place except for new foals. Had to feed her alone, and watch over her a little more beacuse she was not liked by the other mares. She IS cute as a bug though, with a gorgeous head, teeny ears and the most beautiful eyes you have ever seen.

One day, All the mares and babies were out in the pasture. I drove up the driveway and noticed almost all of the mares huddled in one corner, all wet and shaking(during the summer) I turned the corner and saw at the far end, a mare and her month old foal in another corner. There was a huge german shepherd type dog in the field,racing back and forth, trying to get at the mare and foal... but he couldn't.

My tiny Teacup was keeping him away from that mare and foal. She was sweaty and breathing hard, and it was obvious to me that she had been working hard for quite a while saving that mare and foal from being attacked. The dog would dart one way and Teacup would run in front of him and block him. If he ran the other, she went that way too. It went on and on, back and forth.

I jumped out of the car, screaming and clapping my hands and the dog wasn't bothered in the least. He WANTED to attack the mare and foal. I ran to the barn and grabbed a rake or something. I don't remember now and was swinging it at the dog and it didn't bother him ,he just kept after the horses,he did run off after I walloped him.

I never saw that dog again thank God. No horses were hurt, just really scared and sweaty.

Teacup did a great job that day, saving the horses from a dog attack that I am sure would have been deadly.

Her only reward ( from the others in the herd) was that she was allowed to eat hay with the others for a few days. It didn't last long, she was outcast again after a few days. But her bravery was amazing. Such a tiny girl. And it just goes to show, that she doesn't hold a grudge. She saved some of the mean girls in the herd, that were always mean to her.

Today, a couple of years after the incident, she is finally one of the girls.

Robin

 

[alongman]

I guess I don't have a specfic instance to recall, but many many times instead. My job keeps me off the farm a several days in a row (so my kids are with my parents) and then back on the farm during my days off from work. My first days home, the kids know - they all get jealous and want their "time" to be loved up. They also know my last day - their mood changes - some want extra hugs and kisses, some are stand-offish.

We all have our share of good and bad days - needless to say, I see some pretty rotten stuff on a day-to-day basis. The thing that amazes me most is when the horses come up to me after a "bad" day. My gelding Sox (even though he runs with the mares outside) will come running over to the fence and just nuzzle up against me - that horse probably knows more stories and has had more confidential talks than any other person I know!

 

[Magic]

This just happened yesterday, it was so cute I thought I'd share it:

I was doing chores in the barn and saw my three year old appaloosa gelding, Rage, standing at the fence that adjoins the field of the weanling Andalusion filly that I board for a friend. Rage was holding a jolly ball up by the handle and the filly had her head over the fence mouthing the toy. (She is twice as tall as Ragey, lol!). The filly finally got a grip on the jolly ball, and Rage let go, only to have the filly lose her grip and the ball fell at Rage's feet. He patiently picked it back up and offered it to her again. They kept playing like this and I wished I had my camera out there with me, it was just darling. Later, when I brought Rage in for the night, the filly whinnied. not wanting him to leave her. I'll have to keep an eye out for if they play this game again so I can get a pic.