06/20/2026
This is a picture during tonight's feeding time. While it looks fairly insignificant, what you actually are seeing is something of a breakthrough. It's peaceful, quiet, and serene, something that we normally have at feeding time but for the last 2 weeks, it's been a little more chaotic but today we had it back!
We welcomed Sister to the farm about 2 months ago and she has been an amazing addition to the riding program. However, it was soon discovered that she had some abnormal behavior in a herd setting. While we were finishing up lessons, she lived separately from most of the horses so she didn't accidentally hurt herself or another horse. Since our riding season has ended it was time for Sister to learn how to properly behave in the herd. That means that sometimes, other horses will teach her some harsh lessons about what is and what is not appropriate behavior around other horses.
Sister's main issue is that she was VERY possessive of 2 other of the herd members, Daisy (black and white paint) and Reina (liver chestnut). She would chase off other horses that these 2 were already friends with when they would get too close. If one of them wandered off, she would force them to come back wherever she wanted them to be. She was excessively aggressive and pushy in ways that stressed most the herd members, including Daisy and Reina. These 2 do like Sister but Sister was going crazy trying to keep 2 independent horses with her.
Feeding time was especially bad and I knew something needed to change for all of the horses' mental and physical health sakes, especially Sister's. She was not a happy horse in the herd and the herd should be when horses are at the most peace. They have the safety and security of other herd members. For Sister though, this was a lesson that I, as a human, would never be able to teach her, only other horses could do that. So Sister has been turned out with the herd to figure it out. She's been monitored daily, kept with 24/7 access to hay, and given every till I can to help her succeed and this picture is proof.
Sister is eating from the far right pile. Both Reina and Daisy are on the opposite, left side, eating together away from Sister. There's no muss or fuss. Everyone, Sister included, was calmly and quietly eating their food. For Sister, this is a major step in the right direction. If this has happened even a week ago, Sister would be in full blown panic mode.
Sister's body is a little more beat up than before but I can guarantee you, her mind is so much more at peace. She can finally feel safe and let down her guard a little, knowing there are some others who have her back. Her body will heal with time.
Remember, herd time is ESSENTIAL to your horses well-being and mental health. If you have horses, they should be given time to be with other horses.
