There is more to this series than is being said. My stops alongside the road to visit with horses goes beyond mere visits….but I will try to explain in a future post.
For now, I am just visiting.
This one was curious, but once realizing I held no treats, he moved along. He wasn’t much into being petted either.
This mare was the same. Not very interested in people, but she had a soft, gentle eye.
Pretty fence, eh? People in New Mexico love their barbwire fence. You should see the pastures with only a single barbwire holding horses in. And the barb wire fence laying almost flat on the ground, keeping horses in the paddocks. I can only believe it works because these folks typically keep their horses on large acreages, often at least a hectare.
While most of the horses at this location weren’t too friendly, this fuzzy fella, made up for the cold shoulders. I think I’ll name him “Benny”. That was my nickname in school. (From ‘Benny and the Jets’……not what you were thinking, eh. hah!) And I think the name ‘Benny’ suits him well. Don’t you agree?
As soon as he saw me coming over, he made a bee-line to say Hello. Golly! I’ve got a soft spot for these long-ears! I think I might have to move just so I can have a few. My current neighbors would have a cow if they heard any of the braying these burros do. Bummer.
While my new friend and I were getting cozy, some trouble was brewing…..
Uh Oh!
Someone doesn’t like Benny visiting with me. Could this fella be jealous? (Leave my burro buddy alone, big guy!)
RUN FORREST!!!!! (oops…forgot…) RUN BENNY!!
Take THAT, you Bully!
I didn’t like this guy at all, not only because he was picking on my burro buddy, but also because he was very pushy and mouthy. And also light on the front, and for that matter, on the backside, too.
I don’t move very fast because of my crutches, so I stayed farther away from the fence when he was near. Though I have to admit the flimsiness of that fence didn’t make me feel all that safe anyway.
“Who Me? I’m a nice guy….Really”
I also believe that other folks don’t trust this guy either…..like maybe the farrier?
This hoof is really weird. I’m amazed that he can even walk normally.
“Hah! I eat Farrier’s for lunch!!”
He also picks on cute little burros, too.
Poor Benny. He was like the nerdy kid in school always being picked on by the jocks and cheerleaders.
Awww….don’t you just want to hug him?
I did! And I got burro muzzle nuzzles in return.
Oh whooeee! It took every last ounce of control not to lead Benny out of there and take him home.
Yes. I did kiss him. Wouldn’t you? That muzzle felt like velvet.
Benny tried to convince me not to leave him behind to deal with the bullies. He laid the guilt trip on thick, I tell ya.
Benny pouted as I walked away. I’ve learned that burros are very good at expressing themselves.
Farewell Benny……..
From the Tower of,
30 comments :
hhheeeehh hes so cute!
Awwwww, he's soooo cute! I would kiss him! I tell ya, the 2nd animal I get on my farm when I get older is one of those. So cute!
Benny is so, so, so sweet and cute! I totally want to give him a big burro hug! What the heck is up with the bully's feet? Not good...
I like Benny to - but am not a huge fan of the fence, any of their feet, or the nylon halters on everyone...wasss puur sad babies!! Need an upgrade....
Are you gonna buy the burro?!
Sigh....they look healthy otherwise, I guess you can't demand perfection from the world...
I love those long ears too! But what is the mystery about you visiting horses along the roadway? Hmmm vwery intewesting!
I agree with Stephanie... The halters and the feet make me nervous. Honestly, once I saw the weathered halters (meaning they are obviously being worn 24/7) I was totally unsurprised about the feet. Both of those things are commonplace in the culture of neglect.
Oh, but Stephanie, look at the pictures again. "Otherwise healthy" my a$$ (no pun intended). Check out the ribs on that pinto!
So I have a few theories about why you're visiting horses on the roadside: because you're trying to decide what to do with your mare, because you're thinking about buying one of them (perhaps the burro?), or because you're gathering information so you can report the jerkoffs who are neglecting their equines. I, for one, hope it's the last one. >:-( People like that really piss me off!
Sheesh those paints always think they are better than everyone!! LOL!! Love it! That burro is too cute!! And super cute pictures!! I loved the one about eating farriers for lunch!! LOL!!!
What is it with Paints, that they think they rule the world?
That Long Ears is so cute! I want one!
Don't make me guess why you are looking at other ponies.
Cuz, I know.....
You know I know, I know, you know I know..
Aww Lisa!! We have the Very Same Affliction for Long Ears!!! Dear Husband and I absolutely ADORE donkas, and every time we see our long ear clients, we try to figure out how to stuff them in the work van and bring them HOME with us!!!! hehehe
Girl, these are simply some AMAZING photographs. Wonderful job!!
As to the feet on the one fellow.... hooo baby... let me at 'em already!!! That just *bothers* me...lol
Hey- be sure to check your email tomorrow afternoooooooonnnnnn! ;)
Wonderful photos! Pecking order in horses is sad but it is what it is. Poor Benny, looks like he is on the bottom.
Benny needs a vacation. I feel his pain.
Lucky Benny has room to run off.
Poor Benny! Getting picked on by everyone!
And those hooves! Oh my gosh! What is wrong with people? I just don't get it!
Your photography is great! Loved all the pictures!
Aw, I've fallen for Benny, too! Couldn't you have just stuck him in your pocket and brought him home? Little cutie pie!
Benny is precious! That is one donkey I'd take home.
Awww, poor Benny! Go back and adopt him!!! Screw the neighbors! And teach that bad mannered paint some manners while you're at it.
Yikes on those feet! Someone grows long toe!!
Love the pics, love Benny. What a sweetheart!
Benny is so adorable. I would want to take him home too.
Curious to hear how you are connected to these guys. Benny does look a bit bullied there...and those horses look like they are a bit worse for wear. Granted, my horse wears a halter 24/7 right now and he's far from neglected, it's because he's hard to catch. ;)
That fence makes me nervous, but barbed wire always has! Your camera takes bright, nice pictures, and you take great, fun shots!!
I'd like to take Benny home too! He's awful cute!
Pony Girl, just make sure it's a breakaway halter so that he can escape if it gets hung up on something -- though that is still not ideal.
To quote from a recent Fugly Horse of the Day post -- which puts it far better than I ever could have --
"[Turnout with no halter] is always the safest and if you can't catch your horse, you have something to work on, don't you?"
Can hardly wait for the rest of the story.
Poor Benny, wish you could have taken him home and saved him from the bullies.
Awwww, my favorite photo is Benny looking at you beside that textured, crooked tree! Awesome photo!!! He is so cute....our miniature horse is not doing well right now because her only buddy, the goat "Lucky" was old and passed away! Benny would be a great friend to her. Glad you're up and around.
It would be pretty hard to not fall in love with Benny-I agree!
Those horses definitely look a little on the neglected side. I bet that bossy pinto would warm up if he had a little bit a food and a nice trim. Maybe he is in pain?
I LOVE your dirt. Around here, we just have black mud everywhere. What I wouldn't do to live in the desert......
wow. those are some bad hooves! The burro is the cutest ever though. I'd want to slip him between the fence too! Everytime someone posts about their cute burros, I want one more and more!
Benny's a babe! Glad you got a little bonding in.
I'm glad you are checking your horse feelings. I wouldn't want you to do something rash.
However, as mentioned, having a fence between is not the same thing as being one on one.
I didn't think you felt uncomfortable when you were talking with me and Nadia the other night, were you?
I used to have Scout's mother, Beighley. She was nasty to people on the ground, pinned her ears, nipped, kicked! but she was a terrific riding horse. She wasn't vicious, just had an "alpha horse" attitude around people. When saddled, she was a different horse. My daughter rode her at six years old.
love the pictures, and the story you told with it.. the picture of Benny by the tree is wonderful!
Awwww I love Benny! He was so cute
You have great pics
xoxoxo
I can never resist a donkey muzzle, it is one of the softest most wonderful things in the world. If I had been there I would have kidnapped (or donkeynapped) him - just too sweet :)
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