I worked Newt in the round pen this morning. He has been much more affectionate in the barn. When I am near him I now have faith that he will temper his actions and reactions out of kindness towards me. Yesterday when I moved the horses into different pastures, the mares ran to the far end of the Sycamore pasture. In addition, I had just completed refurbishing the electric fence. I have noticed the horses, well some of them anyway, have keen awareness that the fence is hot. Newt and CeeCee, both chestnuts, know when it is on and will not go anywhere near it. Anyway, Newt was running back and forth. He puts lots of effort into it. He is very fast and will run flat out across the creek / low muddy area. Last time he did that he bruised his sole and was lame for weeks. Little More got excited and running too. Magic was way off from the action, grazing and completely relaxed. I have always enjoyed watching them run but knowing Newt has bruised his foot and is inclined to “come apart”, I began to think maybe it was fright and not just exuberance. I walked into the pasture and petted Little More. He stopped immediately. Newt noticed what was going on, stopped running, and came over to get petted. He was breathing hard and hot and sweaty but he stood completely still and absorbed all the affection. He calmed down completely. When I left he went to grazing.
When I groomed him today, he stood still, quite different from Magic. When I took him to the round pen, he focused all his attention way off at something, or nothing, 200 yards away in the woods. I think it is just a habit he has to avoid paying attention to me. He did good work. He remembered when turning to turn in towards me and not towards the fence. It was good work except that he avoids focusing on me. We did walk, trot, walk stuff. My thinking is that if I can get his attention, he will become a devoted horse because it will help him gain confidence. Well, maybe I am optimistic.
It may be anthropomorphic, but I think Magic acted jealous when I was grooming Newt. He was in his stall shaking his head, scratching on the door and putting his ears back at Newt. Well, maybe working Newt will have a good effect on Magic.