The past four weeks have been a huge adjustment for all of us at the 7MSN, but particularly so for Hank. George and Alan are always paired up and have each other for companionship, comfort and cones. While they do spend much of their time in Hank's vicinity, sometimes they treat him like a third wheel.
Hank has always been the alpha in any herd, a fact I learned early on in our history thank goodness, and that has not changed. He can chase the burros away from a pile of hay with barely the blink of an eye. The problem is, when George and Alan are busy being burros, they don't act like subservient horses. For example, when they drop out of sight and Hank calls for them, they don't answer back and they certainly don't come a'runnin'. They have no respect for that kind of authority. It's pissing off Hank to no end and causing him more than a little stress.
I keep telling Hank that brighter days are coming. There's an adoption scheduled in about a month at the BLM facility in Colorado. If all goes as planned and the weather is clear, he might have somebody new to boss around by May.
The burritos will help keep him humble until then. As sorry as I am that you lost Lyle, that's how excited I am for you to get the opportunity to bring a new one home. That's the silver lining.
ReplyDeleteYour picture of the boys is precious, as is your header. I'm SO glad to hear that brighter days are coming ... hope it all goes as planned, and as fast as the first 3 months have flown by, IMO, it won't be that long til May is here!
ReplyDeleteI hope Hank gets his buddy in May. I wouldn't know what to do either if I didn't have my partner to boss around!
ReplyDeleteThat will be so exciting for Hank to have another buddy. And we get to watch the new guy come home and learn about mustangs. I can't wait for May, either!
ReplyDeletePoor Hank, he must be so confused still, wondering where his buddy is. I do hope things go well when it comes time for the new introduction.
ReplyDeleteSounds just like my Appaloosa which I'm now back to riding again, a lot different than my quarterhorse. (My husband has been riding our App. but doesn't ride much so me and Rebel are getting reaquainted now and have some work to do & yes I should have thought about it when I picked that name - lol) How old is Hank now and do you ride him still?
ReplyDeleteWhoo-hoo! Fingers crossed for good weather. We've kinda been counting the days. :)
ReplyDeleteHank's not the only one waiting for his new companion - we all are!
ReplyDeleteMaria, Hank is 17 and I stopped riding him last year. His arthritic knees have really started to bother him, so his new job is just to keep everyone in line.
ReplyDeleteWell those non-respecting burro boys!! ;o) Best wishes on getting Hank a new buddy to boss around.
ReplyDeletePoor Hank, I feel so sorry for him. He must be missing his friend terribly. The burros are nice as companions but to Hank I'm sure it's just not the same. I hope you have success with the BLM adoption and his new companion turns out to be just what he was hoping for.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Hank! I am so excited for you! I sure hope you find a suitable adoption soon for the both of you.
ReplyDeleteHave you a certain horse in mind? Youngster, or old enough to start training for riding?
ReplyDeletePoor Hank...sounds like good material for a country tune...
ReplyDelete30 days is a long time in Horse years. I hope he manages alright until then and the boys listen up, in the meantime.
Shirley, I'll be adopting one of the saddle-trained mustangs trained by an inmate at the prison in Canon City. They've got at least 120 days' training on them and are usually 4 - 6 years old.
ReplyDeleteI deal with a lot of the same issues with my kids. The big difference is that I'm not willing to adopt to even things out!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited that you are getting your new addition soon. Hank will be so thrilled to have a new friend.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how much YOU miss Lyle, Linda and I just know that your new Mustang will have Lyle's stamp of approval and add so much to all of your lives !!
ReplyDeleteHugs
There's nothing worse than non-responsive herd members. Poor Hank.
ReplyDeleteGlad the future holds brighter days - in more ways than one.
Will you be getting a barely broke or just kind of gentled or completely wild mustang?
Oh I hope that works out for dear Hank....I have thought about him a lot these past weeks. I know he has to be going through a lot of grief and loss. So, I hope this adoption will ease some of the lonliness he must be feeling and that he will have a "buddy" once again. I know that will take time, too, But....it certainly could make a big big difference.....Fingers Crossed fir all of you Here In The Hills....!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo. Sorry to hear that Hank is having a rough go of it. Losing a member of any pack/herd is so tough. I'm excited that you'll be adding a new face to the mix though, hopefully that will help the process.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea - to adopt a saddle trained mustang!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that Hank will be thrilled to have a pal, and you're going to have a busy summer if this plan works out. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the right horse comes to you.