I think I mentioned a few posts ago that our neighbor had recently fenced the property across from us to give his cows more pasture, and that Moonshine really doesn’t like them. It’s hard to tell exactly what she’s thinking, but it’s pretty obvious that she doesn’t approve of their presence. The first day they were there, they didn’t come close enough for us to see them, but I guess she could smell them. She spent a good part of that day facing toward the field with her ears pricked forward, snorting. The next day was our big ride in the round pen, and she could see them then. Every time she got to that spot in the arena, she’d stop and stare.
Well, it’s been over a week now, and she seems to have gotten a little more used to them. It’s a good thing, too, because she got a good dose of cow socializing over the weekend, when we camped at a cow farm. Valentine and Moonshine were penned right next to the cow pasture; the cows could, and did, put their faces right up to the horse pen. She seemed okay with that. Whew.
So Moonshine’s not spooked by the cows any more. Valentine never cared about them at all. Our dogs, on the other hand…we’re sure one of them (and we’re pretty sure which one of them) is gonna get kicked in the head. And there’s a better than average chance that one of us, or someone who visits us, will at some point back into the cow fence. Moonshine’s not the only one that’s put out by the new neighbors.
Maybe there’s hope for Moonshine to be a team penner yet!
Loving the blog blitz! Keep it coming!!!
Funny Moonshine!
We just moved to the mountains here in New Mexico and I know my neighbors were wondering about who had moved in next door, when our llamas arrived!
Specifically, the neighbors next door have 3 horses who were quite riled up when our llamas stood at the fence that separates our pastures.
Our gelding llama would charge across the field and stop right at the fence until the alpha mare would gallop right up, toss her mane, snort and challenge him. The silly llama always ended up running away!
For the first week or two there was alot of running around with the horses, but now llamas and horses mostly ignore each other.
I spoke with the owners of the horses, though and they weren’t bothered at all. In fact they said it was a good thing that their horses were exposed to such odd creatures. Her horses probably won’t miss a step if they ever come upon a llama while on the trail.
I am really glad Moonshine is finally getting along with the cows! If she didn’t that would be a really big problem. Was she spooked by them or what? Anyway, have you actually met your neighbors? Are they nice or mean? My neighbors are really nice, but they don’t have cows. Keep me posted!