It’s interesting watching animal friendships develop!
Chewie and Liberty are definitely becoming friends, which I’m very happy about.
My slow introduction process gave them time to start getting to know each other.
Now, they have been living in the same pasture together for a couple of weeks. And, they seem like they are enjoying each other’s company.
Before Chewie moved to this property, Liberty was living here alone. So, I think he’s happy to have another equine companion.
And, Chewie wasn’t always happy about the horses she was pastured with at the previous barn. There was often tension and stress when she was pastured with horses who she didn’t like or who didn’t like her.
She seems calmer and more relaxed, now that she has settled in at the new barn.
What makes me say that Chewie and Liberty are friends?
When I arrive, I usually see the two of them hanging out together, often in the front part of the pasture, grazing near the pond.
They also are happy to share a bag of regular hay together. Chewie does gets a little bit of alfalfa hay in the morning, and she’s not interested in sharing her special hay!
Liberty also tries to get Chewie to play with him. Chewie will sometimes oblige, and I have seen them playing together a couple of times.
In the photos below, Liberty was trying to get Chewie to play, but she was more interested in watching what I was doing.
As they become more bonded with each other, I’m also thinking about the future. I have been working on developing some routines so that they are also comfortable and calm when they are separated from each other.
I like that they are friends, but they need to know how to spent time apart for meals, training sessions, veterinary care, or other occasions.
In the photo below, Liberty is playing with an enrichment toy in the main part of the pasture. Chewie’s also playing with an enrichment toy, but she’s in a separate pen, which is connected to the pasture.
No comments yet.