What does it mean?

[Minouri]

When I'm home the horses have almost 2 acres to run around on in the backyard. This weekend I had two days of company at the pool. We had a great time. It was interesting to see how the horses behaved with all the people around. (I kept everyone contained to the fenced in pool area).

Day one started with the horses finding distant quiet pasture to munch on. As the day went on they came closer and closer to the pool area until they were almost hanging over the fence. The seemed incredibly interested in human beings jumping in and out of the water.

Day two they hung around the pool most of the day....and then fell asleep in the sun right next to the pool area! I couldn't believe it! Scooter sacked right out flat on his side. I wish I had taken my camera down there with me. Snowy fell asleep standing next to him.

Maybe this isn't so amazing to anyone else but if you had two acres of land to sleep and graze on....would you choose within two feet of the fence where all the people are having a barbeque and making a racket?

I like to think that they are starting to think of us as their herd. What do you think? When they both slept next to us I thought in the horse world that would mean that they felt safe next to us.

It's not treat related. I put the horses off limits to people feeding them since so many people came and went...didn't want them to get over fed on treats.

[Abejita]

if it was as hot there as here (suddenly went to the high 80's ) they were probably hoping you would let them IN the pool..were not sleeping next to it..trying to fool you into thinking they were getting heat stroke..guilt trip horses...Plus humans doing weird stuff has to be more entertaining than eating grass...

[Minouri]

Dang, it WAS hot. You think they were just after our pool?

[Pasogirlz]

Wasn't it you who told us your family likes to feed the horses all sorts fo weird things when they come over? :question

[Minouri]

I don't think so. I'm the one who makes homemade cookies for them.
We did try strawberries.....but that's not too weird.

[Pasogirlz]

Perhaps they were hoping there was a horse muffin or two on the grill. lol ;-)

[Barbwire]

Perhaps they were hoping there was a horse muffin or two on the grill. lol ;-)

:lol: Where I come from a "horse muffin" is a turd ball, so the visual there is quite funny to me.

[Heidi]

I think the pool could have been a big attraction for cooling...was there a breeze blowing across the water and towards the horses?
Regardless, I would venture to say that they DID feel comfortable to sleep near everyone. Ever notice sometimes how easy it is to fall asleep in the middle of a huge comotion? (commotion/sp?)
Heidi

[motorgypsy]

You're part of their herd and they tend to hand out with their herd. Plus of course being very intelligent they are also very curious!

[hast]

I'm sure they trusted you, felt you were part of their herd. Michico will stay down and let me climb all over him if I like, but when another human comes close he'll get back up. If I'm there hanging out with him he'll stay down until another human is almost close enough to touch him before he'll get up, but up he'll go.

[Minouri]

A testament to the good handling of all of his previous owners......Scooter is not afraid of people at all. At one big barn we boarded at they would switch horses out during the day to share paddocks. Scooter would see the woman coming.....lay down and close his eyes. People could not believe that a horse would remain in that vulnerable position even while the woman was tugging on his halter to get him up.

Course, to show how smart Scooter is...he was the only horse not moved into his stall during the day. The workers considered it not worth the bother and would leave him out with the second group. :bsmile

Thus proving once again that brains win over size. Those TBs went in like lambs.

[Carol Nelson]

I think you hit it right on the nose...you are their herd. There is safety in numbers. We strive to become the boss hoss...so they remember that. I just added ten more acres to the place so that I have a couple mares on eight...and a couple on two. Where do they choose to lay at night? Closest to the barn, and to the humans. They feel safer there.
Even though it was daytime, your horses felt safer from predators closer to the activity. Never forget as much as we domesticate them, they are and will always be prey animals in their own minds.

[Jasfino]

It means.. they really like you and want to be a part of whatever it is your doing. People that visit our barn always comment on how friendly the horses are...except the vet.. they know him and run for the hills if they see him coming.

I think our horses think they are humans.. or we are funny looking horses.. 8-) Whatever it is.. its a good feeling to know that if given a choice.. they choose us..

[Brigitte]

Whatever it means ( I think they think you're part of the herd) I find it cute :D

[DebbieS]

What a smart horse Scooter is!! What a cute story.....

We have one horse (Chex) that would rather hang out with humans than with the horses. It can be a little annoying at times, but most people find it cute. He even loves the vet and the farrier (maybe he's just kind of dumb!)

[TrueStepPaso]

Minouri, YES, he def feels safe around you....horses will not lay down, roll, put their head down to drink water, or put themselves in any vulnerable position unless they feel safe.
They obviously decide the "humans in water" thing was no biggie cuz their "Mom" was in there. ;-)

[Brigitte]

He even loves the vet and the farrier (maybe he's just kind of dumb!)

Lol ! Maybe he thinks that if he's nice to them, they'll be nice to him