What's The Difference?

I introduced Compa and Carli the first night. I figured I might as well get it over with. He's so recently gelded I knew all the stallion behaviors would erupt and send her into season. I wanted him to push her through her season now, since it would be awhile before I introduced Compa to the herd. Having her out of season when I'm ready to integrate him will make it safer for everyone.


I brought him into the barn for dinner and then brought her in. She walked down the isle, sort of perked her ears at him and then looked into the feed room for her dinner. When she looked back at him, she wore that bored expression the royals practice when they deign to notice a peasant. Poor Compa, he was excited about meeting a girl. Carli could have cared less. Bored to tears and looking off into the distance, she finally agreed to touch noses through the bars. It lasted about a microsecond. She cocked a hind foot and stayed on her side of the isle, mildly amused as Compa went crazy. She was highly aware of the fact that she was responsible for causing all the commotion. She was completely disinterested. Looking over at me, she asked for her dinner. When she saw that she wasn't going to get it right away, she indignantly meandered into her stall, turned her butt to the divider and peed in his face.

I don't call her the Queen for nothing!

Seeing and smelling this invitation through the slats in the stall divider, Compa went from crazy to absolutely hysterical. Completely unfazed, Carli added a little insult to the injury. While she peed she looked back over her shoulder and blinked at him. Oh! She is such a SHE!

The poor guy, I thought he was going to come unglued.

I brought her some hay and she settled down to eat. Compa continued his antics for another three minutes or so and then realized that no one cared. He stopped, put everything away and then meekly asked for some hay.

When they finished that part of their dinner, I opened Compa's feed door and allowed him to stick his head out into the isle. Carli's stall door was open and when she saw him craning his head around the partition, she walked over and introduced herself. Compa was wonderful. His eyes were soft. He was completely well mannered. He gently nuzzled her and she allowed it. He used his lips to explore every inch of her face. She turned her head slowly so he could learn all about her. As long as he maintained a high level of dignity, she allowed him to touch her. Each time he lost control, she would back into her stall and cease the dialog. He caught on fast. He craved this association with her. I was moved to tears and so proud of her willingness to teach him some manners.

I closed the feed door and headed inside. I didn't hear a peep out of them all night.

On the second night, Ziggy asked to come in and meet Compa. I was all for it.

I tucked Compa in his stall and then brought Ziggy in. He camped out in the isle and watched in amazement as Compa went crazy. He behaved exactly like he did with Carli. Ziggy had this look on his face like - are you nuts? What's all the fuss about? Can't you see I'm a gelding!

Apparently not. The behavior from the previous night was repeated with Ziggy. Compa cannot tell the difference between a mare and a gelding! The open feed door produced the same results. Hummm.

Maybe when Compa meets Berlin he'll have it all figured out. I'll let you know after Berlin has his sleep over...