HB Playing It Up

Sitting here listening to the horses shuffling in their fresh straw, I think about what a nice day Honey Bandit had today.  He got to meet his Auntie Tami, my sis from Washington, and put on quite the little show for her.  It was fun to watch the three of them messing around.

  We took some short videos and a few pictures.  When you look at the two of them playing, it is amazing that HB doesn't accidentally hurt Patches.  Their weight and size is so different, but they never seem to really hurt each other.

  Gee, for some reason DaBubbles decided to stay out of that little game.  Shows what a smart little guy he is.   

We made an adjustment in the size of the two stalls in the carport.  We have been playing with different scenarios to see if anything made a difference as far as HB getting stuck.  Last night he had a good night, and although he gave me a scare, he was able to extricate himself from the rather precarious position he was in.  He was having a "sleep-over" with DaBubbles.  Patches is simply too rowdy at night, so he gets his own area.

  I wonder if the fact that Honey Bandit was so severely beaten all over his body, has any thing to do with where he chooses to lie down.  I have seen wild mares surround an injured foal (who wouldn't be able to keep up with the herd, and is thereby a threat to the band) and try to kill it.  Since HB showed injuries all over, and had a clear "bite" over the back of the neck where a mare (most likely) tried to shake him, it would make sense that he is not so comfortable being out in the open.  Plain old survival instinct at it's finest.  These wild horses especially, tend to hold onto the memories of being injured or in a life threatening situation, and they instinctively will try to avoid that same situation.  I am really starting to believe that this is one of the reasons that he is cast so much.  He is simply trying to avoid being so vulnerable.  If he is close to a fence or a wall, it stands to reason that he can only be attacked from so many sides.  Then he gets stuck.

  That is just one of the few reasons that would make the situation understandable.  Obviously the neurological part is why he can't get out of those situations easily, but maybe he is just trying to protect himself.  It was much "more smelly" sleeping next to Honey Bandit AND DaBubbles, but we want to see if HB is more relaxed.  

Hmmmmmm.   How romantic, still no honeymoon and stinky to boot ha ha. ..That's okay though, when he is big and strong and out of the woods we will get our turn.  But for now, HB had another happy day.  Thank you for all your help.  God Bless.  HB & the Armstrong clan  

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Chilly Pepper - Miracle Mustang 30027 State Hwy 44 East Shingletown, CA 96088 

p.s.   For those of you who would like to see Honey Bandit at CAL EXPO this year, Follow this link   http://www.horsexpo.com/html/exhibitors.html     http://www.horsexpo.com/HTML/contact.HTML  
You can either fill out the contact info and send it or call directly.  Just Tell 'em you want Honey Bandit there.