On 1/15/08, Virginia Tupper <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > It will be different when I move them home. I'll probably follow the > boarding barn schedule for a while because they're familiar with it, > but after that I want to them to stay out most of the time, especially > after we get a run-in. >
She may not like being in the stall. The boys (what I call Falki and Gloi) rarely if ever go into the stalls or the run in part of the barn. Doesn't matter what the weather is. This morning there are the two of them standing out in the snow completely covered with a layer of snow. Both had icicles on their face belly and hocks from laying/sleeping in the snow. Why go into the nice soft bedding of the barn. My old mare on the other hand is always tucked back into the stall. Her weight is good and they always have hay to munch on, but her winter coat looks like the boys summer coat (before Iceys, I thought she had a nice thick coat). The horses can leave the barn and paddock area and go out to the pasture or woods whenever they want, but my mare hates wind, snow, and rain. They'll go off a bit, but if she doesn't come along they come back. If we come back to the barn with a load of hay and the horses are nearby, I have to lock them in the stalls. We only have two, the mare willingly goes into hers, but when I want to put the two boys in their 12 X 12 stall they get a bit antsy. They get better every time knowing it's just for a short time. Falki now goes in at meal time after a few initial training sessions. I gave that stall to Gloi after Calvin left, but as soon as he saw his old corner feeder set back up outside the stall, he wanted that spot so Falki moved his meals to inside the stall. They are funny critters. -- Anna Southern Ohio
