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I can cite two situations with the same horse, where I tested his
"homing instinct", with two different results.
First case. I owned a pinto gelding, Billabong, and lived in a small
town. A lot of my riding was around the town, along the roads. Some was
on a couple of local farms. If I dropped the reins partway through a
ride, he would head for home, by the shortest route. I sometimes had to
steer him off the middle of the road away from traffic (it was a quiet
town). He also learnt where the gates were on the farm, and would take
me to them. He seemed to enjoy finding a gate, standing in the right
position, and waiting for me to unlatch it; then pushing it open.
Second case. I loaned Billabong to a friend's daughter. I was invited
out to go for a ride on him, and took my own gear. I caught him ok,
saddled up, and set off. This was in an area where I had never been
before, in a pine forest with tracks running every direction. I soon got
lost, although was treated to some good views. I dropped the reins,
hoping Billabong would take me back to his paddock. No, he just wandered
aimlessly, in no single direction. I did manage to find my way back.
Later I told his new owner. She commented "he was waiting for you to
tell him what to do". He had been there for a few months, so I figured
he would know where his "home paddock" was.
Kim
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