Relative Something

Observing the herd yesterday, I can understand why Light might be exhausted. I didn’t catch any of the horses napping throughout the day, but I spotted repeated evidence that Light is working to deserve the role of “Boss Mare” despite not being the eldest one in the herd.

After the morning feeding, I noticed that Swings was heading out of the paddock into the back pasture. Mia and Light were all in on the idea, but Mix showed no interest and was grazing at a hay net bag near the waterer. That caused Light to pause at the gate so as not to leave a horse behind.

Light hovered in that spot, keeping an eye in both directions but looking like she wanted everyone together. After a bit, she chose to walk back into the paddock toward Mix, which was just enough to persuade Mix to leave the hay net. As soon as Mix showed movement, Light departed for the pasture with the other two.

I thought it interesting that Mix then ramped up her energy in an almost petulant response and bolted into the pasture at a full sprint, kicking at the air for a little added spice.

At dusk, when all sorts of night critters start coming out, Asher and I found the horses hyper-focused toward the direction of the drainage swale. Neither Asher nor I noticed any animal movement in the distance, but that’s no surprise. Light maintained watch from several different vantage points when the other three decided it was safe to munch some hay.

Eventually, Light made her way down to a hay net, but she still stayed vigilant about any possible movement to the south.

Honestly, it looks rather exhausting to keep watch with such tenacity. I don’t know if she is proving herself to the others, but Light has earned my respect for all the effort she has been putting into it.

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