Shepherd Farm

A few nights ago, I witnessed something beautiful on the farm.  It was just before midnight on a cool spring evening and I walked out to the far pasture to check on Winne, our young mustang gelding.  Winne had been colicky earlier that day and we had called the vet out to check on him.  The vet gave Winne some banamine and tubed him.  Winne seemed better after the vet visit, but he was still uncomfortable so I thought it was best to check on him one last time before bed.

Winne shares a pasture with Katie, our 15 year old Oldenburg broodmare.  Of the two pasturemates, Winne is clearly in charge.   He comes to the gate first to be brought in for feeding, chooses the best hay pile to eat from, and herds Katie around, walking behind her and using his nose to guide her in the direction of his choosing.  When we put out the special alfalfa hay, Winne makes sure to select the biggest pile for himself.  Katie is a gentle sweet mare and she obliges his behavior and accepts his leadership.

When I arrived in the far pasture that night, I looked nervously to see if there were “two horses up.”  Whenever I am worried about a horse it is always reassuring to see that the horse is at least standing up.  This time, my heart sank a bit as I only saw Katie and not Winne.  I hurried over to the pasture to find Winne.  When I finally got close enough to see — what I saw was amazing.  Katie was standing, with her back to the wind,  over Winne, who was nestled in the sternum position between her two front legs.  Katie touched Winne every so often on the top of his head with her muzzle and craddled him with her front legs, neck and head.  The roles were reversed and Katie was protecting Winne.  I had seen Katie similarly cradle and protect her foals many times over the years.  Winne was relaxed and content to be with his friend who was assuring his safety.

It is later in the week now and Winne is feeling much better.   I know this because he is once again first to the gate and first to that special alfalfa pile.  Katie has stepped back to accomodate her friend, but I know she will be ready to step up in the future when her protective instincts are awakened and needed once more.