Leo

Adding new members to a family is usually a long thoughtful process. How will it affect the family dynamics? What will the siblings think? What will we name her/him? How much will they eat?
We don't often go out looking for additions to the family, they seem to find us all by themselves. With a little help from friends. (Isn't that a song??)
Neighbor Kim who brought Nebula into our family circle, reported that she had run across a horse that she thought Carrie needed. Or at least the horse needed Carrie. A retired show horse, with a background of abuse, being offered "free to a good home" because the owner was moving on to a younger horse for showing. So we made a late evening run to a stable about 45 minutes down the road, to see what the horse had to say to us.
We found a stunning registered purebred Polish Arab gelding. His large eyes, sculpted head and trim carriage were indicative of fine breeding. He had been imported as a stallion to be the main stud at an Arabian farm that later closed. So at age 8 he was sold, gelded, and began a show career as a gaited saddle seat horse. There was a lot of abuse involved during that 6 year period of time. He was rescued by a lady who was so angry at his plight that she walked up to the owner with check book in hand and said "name your price, I'm not leaving without this horse". Bless her. He later was owned by two different young women with direct opposite riding and handling styles. The last girl showed him in hunt seat. (I apologize to readers unfamilar with horse breeds and showing, for the probably incomprehensible terminology.)

We were happy to have Pat along, he speaks horse fluently. He spent about 20 minutes just seeing what Leon (I know, just wait, don't get ahead of the story) was all about. Here Pat is asking for him to relax into pressure, to do some lateral flexion (that's horse talk), to "give" his nose.

One of the things he discovered was that the horse had spent so many years going around a show ring that he only knew "straight ahead"; it was difficult for him to relax and bend.
But he tried really hard to understand. He was anxious, but willing. He had some "sticky" spots that needed work. But he was kind, safe to handle, and ready for a change in his life. Carrie rode him, and found a responsive, but very anxious horse trying to understand. We spent more than an hour at the stable, getting acquainted with Leon, and talking to Jamie, his very nice owner for the past 3 years. She was concerned for his future, and wanted the best for him.
So we brought him home. The very next day. He had been a "barn baby" all his life, seldom out of a stall or arena. This was going to be a major life change.
But one thing we know, from past experience with needy horses, is that the best thing in the world for them is to be put out to pasture, to learn to be a real horse again. And because horses are herd animals, it's good for them to have a herd of their own. So here is our horse herd. It is a herd of two. But definately a herd, with all the herd dynamics. Nebby (short for Nebula) is lead mare. Every herd has a lead mare, in case you didn't know. Wild herds have a stallion for obvious reasons, but the real power is the lead mare. (Incidentally, Nebula is also a purebred Arab. Her breeding is from a different line than the new guy. She is stockier, but still very typical.)
As horse handlers, we become part of the herd. And it's vital to establish who is the REAL herd leader, which must be the human, in order to have a safe, healthy herd. The horse known as Leon at the stable become Leo at the farm. It just sounded better, for his new life. ( It did involve the farm's pet rabbit known as Leo to acquire a new name. The rabbit is now Zeke. Hey, didn't you ever want to change your name as a kid? )

Leo was a bit puzzled about what was going on, he was happy to have a herd but just WHAT were those two-legged herd members doing? He soon discovered, they were learning/teaching horse communication. Which is a two-way operation. It's a lot of fun, and allows the horse members of the herd to be more trusting, responsive, and happy around the two-legged herd members. The two-leggers are also happier, and together they learn to play horse games!

Being in a pasture all day with his herd was a challenge for Leo. He just never knew what to expect next. Like the appearance of a saber tooth squirrel (or some such scary critter) in the wood pile near the field.
"Whoa! What the heck IS that? Is it dangerous? Could it eat a horse?
It's definately NOT a cat. Cats I know. They were always jumping around and walking on top of stall walls and there were a lot of them, at the stable. But THIS...
OK, so I can't HANDLE it (I've watched Jack Nicolas, too, I'm very educated), it's definately much safer with the herd. Pat, I'm right behind ya, man. Right behind ya. It's safer here. Yeah. Safer. Nebby? Tell me it's safer..."
Leo bonded with Pat. Sort of like a security blanket. Horse size.



They spoke horse together all the time. Sorta made us jealous. We were still learning Leo's language.
As Leo adapted to the pasture, he began to relax more and more. He spent a lot of time looking at the neighbor's horses. He seemed puzzled that all the horses actually lived in pastures. Not a stable to be seen. Just field shelters. Wisconsin horses are tough. They could give sheep lessons on growing winter coats. Stabled horses never grow real winter coats. Leo got a blanket. Immediately.




Here's a good example of what a couple days in pasture can do for a horse's psyche. Note the relaxed ears, the lead rope lying on the ground, the quiet demeanor while his hooves are examined and discussed. Leo came with good ground manners, which is one of the reasons he got to come live at the farm. But he definately was never this relaxed. His previous owner was astounded at what Pat was able to do with him in just the first ten minutes. She hadn't learned to speak horse, which she soon realized. It's nice to share with other horse lovers that they, too, can learn to speak horse. It makes for a happier partnership.

So Leo is settling in for his life on the farm. He is 23 years old. He is in great health. He has a herd. He has an actual pasture to stroll around in and graze, to snooze when he chooses, to be a real horse. He is getting fuzzy.
Leo is also learning to relax while being ridden, to realize that there are no more deadlines, drills, or anxious riders to deal with. (FYI Nebby is 21 years old. We have always liked older horses; when well cared for, they have many good years ahead as just plain ol' riding family riding horses and pasture ornaments. They teach us a lot, wise creatures that they are.)
Carrie has had years of experience dealing with troubled horses. She is enjoying Leo tremendously. It's good to see a horse and rider so relaxed with each other. That's a fine example of a healthy "herd".
But they better be watching for that saber tooth squirrel....