Big doesn't mean bad

Just because Shaun is the biggest horse in the pasture, doesn't mean he's the baddest. Even Eclipse was willing to give this big horse a chance, but not Bit. Bit was consumed with keeping Shaun away from her mare. She still doesn't like him, to this day. Eclipse had her moments, like when she is in heat. When you are in love, size matters. Eclipse loves Shaunie when Eclipse is in heat.

It worked out well, having Shuan and the mares have some time before Hawk and Gunner came home from summer camp. It was them coming home, new to the herd. Shaun is such a gentle spirit, Hawk and Gunner quickly assumed a higher position in the herd. Thankfully, Gunner has found Shaun's company a bit more pleasant than the other horse's. He was like Shaun, not too long ago. No one liked him, accepted him, or would graze with him. He was the outsider. Now, he's accepted by the herd a bit more because Shaun is that bottom horse. Just having Shaun be the one that is the outsider, makes it easier for Gunner. I think he knows that.

Today I opened up the big pasture. Tony bush hogged paths through the 30 acres so I could retrieve horses to the home 10 during the day. Sugar levels go down in the grass, and the temps are cooler at night. I bring them in come morning, and they spend the heat of the day in the shade of the trees or shelter. Not that there aren't plenty of trees in the big pasture. There's everything out there, including a running creek, except this year. It's so dry and it's been so hot, the creek has dried up and there is no water for them. Tony says they'll come in when they get thirsty, but they don't. I let them out this morning, because it was cool (only 75) and it had just rained. By the afternoon, it was 88 and I got worried. Took the three wheeler out to the herd, put a halter and lead on Eclipse and brought in the herd. They drank and drank.

Now, did Shuan like his 30 acre run? Why yes he did! He was the first one out, and the whole herd ran like their tails were on fire! It was a beautiful thing to watch. By the time they got to the other fence line where my horses like to hang out, (by the next door stallion) Shaun had no idea where he was. He ususally leaves the herd and goes hangs out in his shelter. Where was it? He ran, he worried, and finally settled with the herd in the shade. It was Shaun's big adventure, today. He was one relieved tb when I brought him in. He nuzzled, licked, snuggled and touched me when we got back. If our horse is our mirrior, then Shuan is my horse. We are both home bodies, and it takes an act of God to get us away from the house. Something to consider...home is not about geography. You carry home within yourself. I'm not saying some place like wore torn Iraq is a good place. I am saying, where ever you are is home, as long as you know that peace within. I'm hoping Shuan will know that peace within himself, so it won't matter where he finds himself. Whether it's in the back pasture, on the trail with me, or in his shelter, he'll be a peace because he carries it with him, always.