We put the two mares and foals together last night. The other foal is a month older than Rory, and bigger (he's going to end up much bigger too). We hung onto the foals and let the mares check each other out first. They had been together in the same field all winter so they sniffed noses and then went their separate ways. We let the foals go and it was pretty quiet, but also funny.One foal would look at the other hopefully (we could see they wanted to play) but as soon as the other foal looked back the first would turn away. They got close enough to sniff noses carefully, but their mums came along and they separated. Rory followed the other pair across the paddock, but got too close and the other mare warned him off. He was very quick to move away (doing the baby mouthing).
We put out two piles of hay and the mares started munching. The foals went around their dams , peeking out at each other. Rory was more interested in the other foal and went towards them several times. The other foal crossed the gap once, but retreated quickly when Rory ventured towards him.We went in and Rory came to me and the other foal went to his owner. We moved closer, and the foals followed. They were very cautious and hesitant about each other. Rory's dam came to see what was up, decided the other foal was too close and warned him off. He just stood there, clueless, so she lunged at him with her teeth bared - THEN he retreated.
We left them alone for a bit, and they all ended up in the shelter at the same time without a scuffle. They went into adjoining stalls last night and Rory stood at the dividing wall looking into the other stall for a long time. He is fascinated with the other foal.
They should be out together today - that was the plan. Maybe they'll get over their shyness and start to play.
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