Today, and for the remainder of this week, Xena will be turned out in a small dirt paddock with a black and white pony, named Nicky. This temporary paddock is immediately behind the house and adjoins another paddock with three mares. There are several large trees and a run-in for shade, a nice view of the barn with people coming and going, and within sight of the geldings in their grass paddock.
When we turned her out for the first time, I imagined she would race up and down the fence line, panicked, calling out for her missing friends – but this never happen. She just remained quiet, and calmly explored her new surroundings. When I turned to leave at 1:30, she didn’t even notice!
I returned 3 hours later, and Susan (our new barn owner) said that Xena had remained calm, sometimes just standing by the gate, and had not been calling for me – I was actually really glad of that. Xena and her paddock mate, Nicky, aren’t too fond of each other, but they’ll only be together for this week, so that’s okay.
I spent two hours with her this evening, hand grazing as we slowly wandered our way down to the sand ring. Later the barn was quiet, so we groomed in the aisle, while talking to Susan. Xena just adores Susan, who has a quiet, grandmotherly manner that the horses all seem drawn to. I think Xena will soon love Susan more than me!
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