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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 12:44:29 PM
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Ok there it goes:a huge warmblood gelding has arrived at our yard.He's 1.80 cm (I'll let you convert that in hands) and grey.Armos is completely smitten.First time he saw him he just wanted to go to him.(Horses are in individual smallish paddocks here unfortunately,he's not close to him) I have never seen him react like that to a new horse and he sees new horses quite often,it's a busy yard.
There is another grey female,he likes her but not as much,but she's more similar to him in size.There are also 2 grey geldings but they are dark-dappled grey and he doesn't care much about them.
Yesterday we were in the school together and they had a proper smooch then they were just standing contentedly next to each other.
Now my probably crazy theory:Armos' mother was also grey,given the proportions ( how he must have seen her as a foal and how small he is today compared to this gentle giant) could it be that he reminded him of her? YO told me no way,that horses don't have this kind of feelings,but according to him horses are stupid animals so I don't care about his opinion.
Am I being too sentimental or could they at least like what is familiar to them more?Thoughts?
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Ari
Platinum Member
1657 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 1:07:04 PM
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You could be right, who knows what they think or what attracts horses to each other. Coincidentally Ari's best pal in summer is a 17.2 black warmblood gelding and his mum was black. My theory is Ari likes the role of sidekick to a big passive leader as it gives him status in the field.
In winter the Warmblood being older isn't out all day and stands by the gate a lot and that's too boring for Ari so he dumps him for younger mates.
I love watching their relationships and I agree they are really not stupid. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 1:46:44 PM
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I had never thought of that, but it could be something like that.
Possibly very unlikely, but maybe they have met before? Or he had a similar friend before? We had an Arab called Sham from the age of 5 to 30, we also bred a foal from my Arab x NF pony mare, Midas, who grew up with him. Unfortunately we lost Midas at the age of 12 to laminitis. Although out with another livery, Sham didn't really connect with him, the way he had with Midas, and looked for him for years. Then I sent my 6 year old Arab down from Scotland to stay with my mother. Sham was very delighted to meet Harley (who was of the same Arab bloodline as Midas). Next morning Mum wept, because in the dew were two dry patches where they had laid together side by side, practically touching, something Sham had only done with Midas before. Another slightly odd thing was that Midas had slept with a fox snuggled into his chest in the field, and the same fox did the same thing with Harley - none of the other horses, and Harley has not done it with any other animal since. Harley was born the year Midas died, so there was quite a gap between Midas and Harley.
Sham taught Harley to scrape his front foot when he wanted something, Harley is now 23, and has taught my mare to do it. So that very familiar habit has been passed down and has been going on for the last 40 years - connections are odd.
Sorry seem to have meandered a bit off topic  |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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Pasch
Platinum Member
2277 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 6:21:04 PM
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No problem Linda that was a touching story and love the fox episode!
They certainly learn by observation and imitation.As for knowing the horse before,not possible as it belongs to a Swiss lady and has arrived straight from there!Armos before I got him lived with Haflingers and another half arab female,she was grey but same size as him and then he should have had the same reaction with the grey mare at the yard…Before that he was kept on his own,I don't know about his first 3 years but he was at an arab breeder so unlikely to have big horses as friends.
Ari that is interesting could support my theory!
Anyone else? |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 6:36:38 PM
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| I don't find that at all difficult to believe - I thought it was an accepted fact that horses like horses who are the same colour as their mum although I can't remember where I read it quite a while ago. Callisto, what a lovely story! |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2014 : 7:01:51 PM
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I agree there is something in it. My old mare instantly clicked with 2 chestnut mares that were very similar....both were at different times in her life.
Horses are sentimental...they remember each other and old friends too. My mare and my mums horse instantly recognised each other despite being apart for ages.
Also have you seen the video on fb with an appaloosa mare desperately wanting its baby back, pacing the fence line shouting. Lady brings back the foal....mare nudges it lovingly, all happy again. Foal isnt even real! Its like the rocking horse without the wooden rocking bits. It probably resembles the baby thats been weaned or something so now its in love with it. |
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Silly question
