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By Holli Smith
The world is full of diversity but none so glaring as the contrast between predator and prey. Brain function, physical structure and social behaviors between these two groups vary greatly. The basic survival instinct that drives them may be the same but the way different species achieve that can seem extreme.
As prey animals, horses are always alert to danger and slightly on edge. They can’t afford to be anything else. They constantly scan their surroundings, run when the other guy runs and often sleep standing up. As prey animals, they react first and investigate curious new things second. Working with them is always unpredictable because you never know what might scare or startle them -- one day they can be perfectly calm and the next wound up and ready to explode. Simple things that we would never notice, sometimes even things we do, can cause them severe stress and anxiety.
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By Holli Smith
Horse happenings are pretty common here in the Cariboo but there are people out there who have never had the opportunity to experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with these marvelous creatures. And there are many more who have had the opportunity to explore only a bit of the diverse horse culture. Though horses no longer play a large role in meeting the day to day needs of our lives, the history that we share with them is long and intricate.
Have you herd?
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E gets a little too friendly with S, and C likes to bully E. F loves everyone but tends to steal lunch from S and B. They all like to hang out together in low pressure settings but when a new element is added things heat up really fast and fights break out. Some big, some small. Regardless of the severity someone always ends up left out of the group.
(Cupid, Flurry and Flame demonstrate social hierarchy and pasture dynamics.)
Graze Anatomy
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By Holli Smith
Horses, in general, are mild-mannered creatures. Wild or feral equines spend the majority of each day grazing and roaming the land at a sedated pace, dozing in fits and starts. As prey animals, they are prone to short bursts of speed, and play--wildly running, bucking, kicking out--when the mood strikes them.
Mirror, mirror in the stall
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By Holli Smith
It’s said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
After having one of ‘those’ days - awful where nothing went right, I went to visit with my good friends, the Horses, planning to get in at least one good ride on my paint mare, Cupid. She, along with the rest of my little herd, were excited when I pulled up, and came to the fence to greet me. As I trudged over, they nickered eagerly. What a relief. I needed someone to be happy to see me.
