I arrive at the yard one evening.
“Hey, Hooman, there’s poop in my water. Again…”
“Are you thirsty? Can it wait?”
“There’s poop in my water.”
“Fine.” I half fill a small bucket to quench the thirst of The Horse, who guzzles it down in seconds.
“Cheers.” Back to eating hay.
Having had enough of emptying full, 40 liter tubs of water in order to clean out the poop then refill it, I decide it’s time to rearrange the stable. I tie the hay to the bars of the partition wall, and the water goes in the opposite corner. The Horse should avoid the bucket now. Hopefully…
Undeterred by his food moving, The Horse keeps eating.
Shortly after, whilst grooming The Horse, I notice his friend next door nosing around.
“Hey, Horse. Can I have some hay too please?”
“Hey, friend! I’m eating hay.”
“Can I have some Horse?” She carefully squeezes her nose through the bars, reaching for a single strand.
“Yummy, isn’t it friend?”
“I can’t reach Horse.” She looks so morose I decide to see why she is intent on having her friends hay instead of her own. The problem is immediately apparent. She hasn’t been given her hay yet.
Looking around to ensure I’m not interfering with yard plans, I note that all other horses have their food. I quickly take the nets into her stable.
“Ooo, thank you for the hay. I’ll wait for you to tie it. But I want it. But you can tie it first.”
“It’s OK, you can start.” I encourage.
“Really? Thanks!” And she tucks in with delight.
“Did she just get hay?!”
“Yes Horse, she did.”
“I have hay.”
“I know Horse, keep eating.”
“OK.”
I returned to The Horse and continued grooming him, pleased to see that his friend was now happy as well.