Killer Percherons at the Pony Camp

(Mr. Big)

This weekend the local branch of the Pony Club was holding their Pony Camp at the barn. Poor Quzqo got booted from his normal (comfy, well-lit, well-ventilated) stall on the north side of the barn to make way for visiting Pony Club horses, and found himself on the south side of the barn, in a dark, stuffy, concrete-encased below-ground-level-so-it-leaked stall. Poor boy was totally bewildered, and when I showed up last night, he seemed actually relieved...maybe he thought he was going to a new situation with a new owner. No such luck, my lad.

I will give them credit though...they took the pains to make him comfy in his temporary accommodations, even going so far as to haul his 50# salt block across the arena to his new stall. Heavens know he couldn't go three days without a lick of salt! Well, just as well, I wouldn't want some strange horse licking his salt block, who knows what cooties it may have.

As a bonus, reportedly the Pony Clubbers will give all the stalls they use a thorough cleaning & scrub-down when they finish up on Sunday. We shall see!

The Pony Clubbers were going to use the south pasture (known as "Mexico" for some reason) (because it's "south"??) for their cross-country training, and that meant Bob had to move the horses that were there somewhere else for the weekend. Where else but to "Cannonball Run"... Quzqo's previously quiet and mellow pasture full of fat geldings. Ah, no longer quiet, no longer mellow! Added to Quz and his mellow companions there is now a hyperactive Paint, a hyperactive palomino, a hyperactive young chestnut QH, a black tobiano Draft cross, oh yes, and a pair of Percherons! A black gelding and a lovely dapple grey mare!

CHAOS!!!

It only took them a day to separate into three different factions. The black Percheron was Mr. Big of his clique of the palomino, the QH, the Paint and the Draft Cross. The red roan QH, "Leo" had commandeered the Percheron mare, and had her off in a corner. Quzqo and his buddy, Colby, were waaaaaaay off in the opposite corner, as far from the drafters as he could be.

I was bringing him in, and we had to pass near by Mr. Big's posse... Poor Quz suddenly startled and almost ran into me from behind, and almost shoved me off to the side. I yanked on his halter and saw the black and white Draft cross walking right towards his butt. I swung him around behind me and went after the pinto with the end of the lead rope and a hearty deep-pitched "HYAAAAH!" He backed off and wandered away, and Quzqo relaxed...a little.

By the time we got to the top of the aisleway leading down to the barn, ALL the horses decided to come on in after us. Mr. Big and his posse from the rear, and Leo and the mare from the right. Quz was none to pleased to see ANY of it, so as soon as we got to the aisle, I unsnapped the lead and he TORE off towards the barn, cantering through the deep dirt as fast as he could!

Leo and the mare came up behind me and passed quick enough, and as soon as they got down to the end, Leo chased Quzqo away from the waterer, and was all snake-necked after him, chasing him off so his lady love, the Percheron, could have a drink!

I managed to hobble down and rescue Quzqo and get out the gate before Mr. Big and his posse made it down. When they did, hoo boy...apparently Mr. Big was displeased that Leo had his woman! Quz and I watched from the safety of behind the gate as Mr. Big repeatedly chased Leo away as the mare sipped at the waterer.

Considering what an anal orifice Leo is, all I could do was laugh! Pathetic little horse. He never did regain his lady love that I know of. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out!

Mr. Big in Action: