It's been awhile since we've seen good footage of Quaterback, the stallion I'm so ga-ga over. Here he is in action. The first video is not great quality but shows some upper level movements; the second is better quality but less showing off. The third video is a Dutch stallion by Quaterback, really lovely.
Recall that Riley lost a shoe and a fair amount of hoof in mid-March. If he loses that shoe again we may have to wait for more hoof to grow to reshoe, so he's being worked daily but not turned out -- at least not much. In the past couple of weeks Riley has been turned out twice, maybe three times, on Ace. His herd mate E--- is a frisky, nudgy sort, which is good (they are two peas in a pod) and bad (I'd rather he not careen around in his current state).
Well, yesterday, on 2ccs of Ace, I turned Riley out with E----. E---- had been so lonely his inner nudge was in full force, and within ten minutes they were careening around, Riley looking unhappy, E---- looking like the pesky little brother. When I brought him in he had lost a shoe nail. Turnout with E---- is not happenin'. Soooo....
What about Harv? I have secretly longed for them to go out together, for good reasons and sentimental reasons. Harv has a compatible pasturemate, but that horse (S-----) can go out alone. Should I break them up to put Harv with Riley? My barn manager points out that Harv is not always the quiet old codger, and he and his current mate do run around at times -- but usually Harv doesn't instigate. He's just running to maintain his self-respect. Should I put my boys out together? Help me to figure it out....
PROS
Okay, I'm sentimental. I want them to be friends.
I'm in charge. It would be nice to have total control over turnout. Because both horses are mine I could handle their turnout at "off" times if I see fit. No one would complain if I modified turnout or changed their routine.
Peace and quiet. Harv is likely to stand and eat, or just stand and gaze.
Safety. Harv does not injure other horses. He is GREAT turnout partner, dominant but not a jerk.
Chemistry. Riley is a nudge, but he can be put in his place by the right herd-mate (a superb communicator such as Harv).
Cost savings. Harv does not play halter tag (fewer replacements) and he does not shred blankets.
CONS
Senimental counterpoint. Harv loves his current turnout mate and good buddy S-----.
Fairness to Harv. If Riley needs to stay in (e.g., too muddy), Harv would need to stay in unless I could convince the barn manager he could go out with S----- on occasion. Harv cannot go out by himself. Unlike Harv, Ri's current buddy E---- can go out alone.
A quiet thoroughbred? Harv may not run often, he has his moments of crazed nutty behavior. If E---- is more active, he is also more out of shape and he loses steam fast. Harv? He's a thoroughbred.
Fairness to my retired boy. Harv may be good for Riley, but Riley may not be good for Harv. He does not suffer nudges gladly. Harv would have to lay ground rules and restate them often, I fear. S---- is malleable. Riley is not.
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