"Can I please go home now?"

Checking on Sunny at J's this afternoon I had a few adrenaline-drenched moments when I stepped out of the truck and counted 1, 2, 3 horses and one small fuzzy burro munching away on the hill -  but no Sunny!  At first I thought he might be farther down the hill, or around the corner of the barn where I couldn't see him, but when I got closer he was still nowhere in sight.

As I climbed over the fence I called, "Sunny" more than a bit anxiously, hoping he'd whinny at me - which he hasn't done since he's been at J's.  I think he's sulking.  But even as the final syllable left my mouth I heard his high-pitched wheeeniiie and spotted him trotting(!) up the fenceline toward me.  More enthusiasm than he's displayed in a long time, that's for sure.

Completely ignored by the three horses, but stalked by Eyore, I slipped his halter on and jumped on bareback - which didn't last long, unfortunately.  I probably should have led him farther away.  Almost as soon as my leg was over Eyore made a dive for Sunny's tail.  And let me tell you, that small, belligerent long-eared critter can really move.  Every time I swung Sunny to face him, Eyore'd spin inside and end up behind us again.

I really, really wanted a lunge whip or a spare lead or something that would have worked to chase him off with, but nothing was handy.  Sunny was a star, listening to me and not kicking at him, but honestly I've seen less determined stock dogs!

After a few minutes of futile escape attempts I slid off and chased Eyore away on foot while the other three horses watched me curiously.  I probably could have gotten back on at that point, but I was already getting chilly so I collected Sunny and walked down the hill to check the stock tank.  The water wasn't down too far, but I figured I might as well fill it anyway.  Sunny was happy to hang out and be fussed over, and the sun felt good.

Tank full I thought maybe he'd be in a hurry to get back to the other horses, out of sight up the hill, but he walked along next to me with no hurry whatsoever.  When I slipped the halter back off Sunny followed me to the fence and watched while I climbed over and headed back to the truck.

"You're not leaving, are you?"

Poor pony!  He's going to be really pleased to see Rufus later this week!

"Can I please go home now?"

Sunny's adventure

This post should probably be titled Rufus's big adventure, but since I'm not with Rufus that story will have to wait until T and Rufus get back - hopefully with pictures.

West River deer season opened today.  T and party headed west on Friday - right into what's turning out to be the first blizzard of the season (Hell-o, Brutus!), and since they're in a cell phone dead zone, I haven't heard how the weather actually is, but according to the NWS they should be experiencing snow.

Buddy, Casper and Rufus at the trailer Friday a.m.

Now you may recall, we originally took Rufus over to the farm to keep Sunny company while Thunder's at the trainer's.  I'd actually forgotten about T's hunting plans at that point.  And given that we've been packing everything in sight, I wasn't sure if he still intended to go.  But when the decision was made that he was going and so was Rufus, J suggested we bring Sunny over to stay while Rufus was gone.

I've always been leery of turning Sunny out with a bunch of strange horses - he tends to be kind of bossy.  But since he did okay with Rufus, and Rufus lived over there until last month, and all of J's horses tend to be pretty laid back about everything....

On Thursday afternoon we loaded Rufus and Sunny up and took them over.  Introductions involved lots of sniffing -

Sunny sandwich

Some running around

Some milling

It was odd seeing the dichotomy of size - Sunny and Rufus aren't particularly small horses, but they just flat aren't as long or wide as J's big, rangy Quarter Horses.

But very little actual chasing

Casper was the only one that showed the slightest sign of aggression, and he wasn't nearly as intent on it as Sunny's been known to be.

More sniffing

Sunny located the hay feeder first thing, of course.  He cruised around the lot sniffing everything, trailing Rufus and occasionally one of J's horses, but other than a couple of squeals in the first minute, things were pretty quiet.

By this point, the sun was sinking fast and T was making noises about getting back to the real drama of the evening - the low trailer tire we'd discovered while unloading.  (Unfortunately, the spare turned out to be low as well.  And shame on me, when for not checking it before we loaded them - I didn't even think about it.)  Thankfully, with the weight off we had enough pressure to make the short run into town, and when we pulled forward slowly to check for nails or punctures, nothing showed and it wasn't hissing.  We made it into town, aired up, and both tires are still holding good pressure this morning. Still, time to have them all checked.

I ran T and baggage out Friday a.m. in the dark(!) and helped the guys get hay and groceries loaded up.  Of course, I checked on Sunny first.  He was fine - hanging tight with Rufus - unscathed but for one small bite mark on his butt.

Sunny, along with the others, got turned out into the big field for the duration.

Pennie, Eyore, Bubbles, Sunny and Lightbulb

When I checked on him today I arrived just as a freight train blew through. The tracks run right along the whole east side of the field. The rest of them were completely unconcerned - trains are normal for them.  Sunny was watchful, but it obviously wasn't the first one that had gone by.  His eyes were plenty big, though.

Eyore was occupying himself trying to get the other horses to play with him - they weren't interested, so he tried Sunny.

Sunny was not amused.

"Go away, you odd little nuisance!"

 

"I mean it."

"Get!"

For which I'm just as pleased - Rufus used to have a tail.  I really don't want Sunny's going the same way!

Thunder goes to school, and Rufus comes to visit

Meet the family's new addition!

Yes, that's Thunder - and now he's really one of my boys!  My first order of business?  A month at the Eric's to really get him going under saddle.  We took him over yesterday.

We collected him - and Sunny.  My biggest worry about taking Thunder was having Sunny running the fences, so once we had the boys on board we headed over and to pick up Rufus.

I had a plan...

It was nap time when we got there.

We woke Eyore up - he was laying down behind Buddy, but popped up before I could catch him snoozing.

Rufus was sleeping, too - but unlike Eyore, he wasn't inclined to disturb himself on our behalf.

T woke him up and once he was haltered, convinced him that he really was going to have to stand up.  Silly horse!

On board for the first time in over a year - they made a circuit of the pasture before we loaded Rufus.

Doesn't he look thrilled?

At Eric's, we unloaded all three, and turned Thunder out with a small herd Eric's more easy-going horses.  

Sunny was not pleased.  Rufus was unconcerned.  Thunder was baffled, but accepted being sniffed...

 And followed...

 And sniffed some more... with equanimity.

******

Back at the farm, we unloaded Sunny and Rufus and walked the pair out for a tour of all the gates and fences.  All my mental fingers were crossed that the two geldings, who've been ridden, hauled and tied side by side more than once, would be satisfactory company for one another. 

Sunny called for Thunder, and Rufus looked around with big eyes, but with halters and leads on they ignored one another.  After a full tour, including hay feeder and waterer, we walked them into the bigger of the fields and slipped their halters off.  

Rufus was unconcerned.  Sunny's initial reaction was very un-sunny, but unfortunately typical of him.  But Rufus didn't appear to care. After an initial nose-sniff, he just walked off.
 

We watched them interact for quite a while, and everything thankfully!!! looked calm. 

They meandered around the field, nibbling at whatever green they could find, Sunny occasionally sniffing at Rufus, and Rufus continuing to ignore him.  We monitored the situation until nearly dark, and an early a.m. check this morning found them both in dozing in the sun.  So far so good!

Ahhh!! Now that's the spot!

Wordless Wednesday

Is this not...

Eyore

...the cutest face?

Sunny at the trailer - he's keeping a weather eye out for Eyore to go by again. He wasn't too sure what to make of the little guy. But once M got on Sunny decided those long ears didn't make him a horse-eater.