Musical Pastures

I've had Alex in the round pen since he was weaned, with a few exceptions. There's no shelter out there, so if it's raining (or lately, snowing) I have to bring him in, or keep him in if it's morning. I also feel bad because he doesn't have a lot of room to stretch out and run, and the horses I've had out with him are either old or aren't interested in playing with him. So yesterday I decided to put him out with Never. I though they would both like the company, and Alex would like the chance to actually run.

It started out well. I put Bahim in the round pen so we could get Alex in Never's pen without hassle (someday I'm going to have better access to all the pastures!). I tossed in some hay, and watched Never sniff Alex all over while Alex made the 'don't hurt me I'm a baby' face. I watched them for about 20 minutes or so, felt everything was going well, and went to work. I popped out a couple of times during the day to see how they were doing, and they seemed fine, grazing with the occasional gallop. At feeding time, though, everything went to hell.

Oh, at first everything was fine. Jac set up the feed buckets and supplements, I doled out hay and filled water buckets, and everyone came in without too much fuss. The problem turned up when we went to feed Alex and Never. Never, apparently, wanted Alex nowhere near him while he was eating, and was very clear about it. Poor Alex, I felt so bad for him. I took his pail of feed out to him, and tried to get him to eat, but Never followed me out and chased Alex right through the space between the gate and the shed! I felt nervous that Alex was now in with Bahim, but apparently Bahim was more interested in his food than a spotted weanling.

I got to the barn as fast as I could, and coaxed Alex through the gate and into his stall. I think he looked relieved, and ate his hay and grain quietly while I looked him over for blood and scrapes. When I was satisfied, I said good night and went to relax and try to figure out what to do.

This morning I turned him out with Tassel again, as I know she's calm and he knows her pretty well. I think I'll just have to keep him out in the round pen until Never is gelded and can be turned out with the others. Then, I can put Bahim and another horse, maybe Tassel, in the shed pasture, put the old mares that come in the barn at night into the pasture that Bahim's currently in, and the bossy younger mares can have the bigger pasture. I'll put Never in with the bossy mares, and either put Alex in with the older mares and have him come in at night, or put him with the younger mares and put his mom Willow in with the older mares, as she has a toe crack that needs regular care in order to grow out properly. I don't know, I'm still working things out. *sigh* We'll see how things work out, I guess.