Alexios Meets The Grandkids

It has been an exciting weekend around here as Deb's two granddaughters came for a visit. The big event on the agenda was getting to meet Alexios. They were both anxious to be introduced to our new colt so we headed out early Saturday morning.

Alexios was quite curious about these little people we'd brought with us, and came up to the fence to meet them. He decided that they were acceptable and presented his butt to be scratched. Lili was quite happy to oblige.

We went into the pen where he allowed them approach him and pet him. Then it was time for a venture out into the pasture. We'd decided that this was not the day to catch and halter him as there was too much distraction with girls around. Instead, he was going to get to experience freedom!

He happily followed his momma out this time without a shred caution.

Once we were outside the familiar confines of the pen he seemed to get a bit nervous about the girls being out there also, and proceeded to put on quite a show.

He frolicked and then stopped to survey his surroundings, alert to everything.

Then it was time to run some more. The girls stood close to me and we stood away from Deb and Anastacia. This kept everyone safe.

At one point he decided to run back into the pen. He seemed to need a little time out away from the stimuli of newness.

Soon, he was back in the pasture, and seemed to be a little calmer.

He explored the forage available and nibbled on a few different things. He is still discovering that there are some things out there that just don't taste good to the equine palate.

He romped a bit more, acting like a little stallion. Perhaps he recognized that the girls were his peers and wanted to impress them?

"Look at me! I am a fine fellow!"

Of course, fine fellows still need the security of mom close by.

The girls got distracted picking wildflowers for Grandma, and Alexios took to time to start grazing. Deb observed that right after he'd taken a bite of something that was distasteful, he started paying attention to what Anastacia was eating and looked for the same thing to eat himself.

Soon it was time to bring them back into the pen and feed them. Alexios got his own rations this time and he ate heartily. One very encouraging piece of the day was that he let Deb approach him with the feeder and he ate from it while she held it. Then he let her scratch him and pet him all over. He even wanted to return the favor. This is a great change for the little horse that didn't want to be caught.

The owners of the pasture have a horse there named Stella. She is a great horse for kids to be around so we stopped by for a visit. The girls learned how to groom, and most importantly no fast movements or sudden loud noises as it may startle them. Lili was taught how to walk behind a horse with her hand on their rump so they know someone is there.

Ari even got some hands on experience, with a little help from Grandma.

When it was all done, Stella picked up her feeder as if to indicate that it was only right she receive a little more. After all, she had behaved beautifully the whole time.

It was a wonderful outing, and Alexios showed that he has come a long way. Tomorrow we get back to the real work of haltering and handling him. We'll see if he is still as accommodating.