I once had a fierce herd mare, 1200+ lbs. She ate first and was
unchallenged. I got a young quarter horse called Thumper for my son to ride
after his first pony. I guarded Thumper at the pasture each day until he
finished his grain. He was a quiet horse and observant.
About the
sixth day, as I dumped the feed into pans lined up along the fenceline, Thumper
strode across and decked and bit the herd mare and proceeded to eat her
grain. She calmly moved to the next pan, and things went on peacefully
ever after. He had watched, noted that he only had to displace her, and
did not mess with moving up the pecking order. I have never forgotten that
moment of utter astonishment and humor. Pam
