Friends

He's been waiting a long time to get some friends. Since April, in fact. When the UBF entered my life, it was necessary for him to be kept alone. He's been sick, in recovery and needed special feeding to put on some much-needed weight. He has always been able to see other horses, he's even touched noses across the fence and been able to play fight, as well as groom others withers.  One beautiful autumnal day, after weeks of slow introduction, we decided to let the UBF out with Humphrey the Shetland and Mouse, an ex-bullfighting horse. To see them in harmony, free to roam the many acres of land, free to play and nibble each other necks, free to eat the many piles of hay dotted around the fields - was pure joy. The three F's that a horse needs for his physical and emotional welfare were complete - Freedom, Forage and Friends.

It felt a pinnacle moment in his life. 

Except the UBF didn't understand horse language it seems. He wanted to be friends with everyone and couldn't understand why they were being mean to him. He didn't seem able to pick up the subtle cues of Mouse wanting him to move - and by day 4 he was covered in open wounds and bite marks where he just wasn't able to escape in time. Poor Ugly Brown Foal. 

Having been moved on from his hay and chased into a fence while I was in his field, he spied me, came trotting over and literally put his large brown head in my chest. "Help me Mum!"  he seemed to say.

So for now he is separated once more so that he can enjoy his food and lie down in peace whilst still able to play galloping games with Mouse up and down the fence line. Tomorrow we will try them together again when hopefully the UBF will learn his place in the herd - which is right at the bottom!