Alexios Returns

It's been awhile since Alexios has had a chance to get in front of the camera as life here as been rather chaotic. This past weekend we finally had time to get out and visit with the horses. On Saturday, the farrier came out and Alexios had all four hooves trimmed. He did very well considering it was only his second experience. Unfortunately there are no photos as we had our hands full.

Sunday we went back out to the horses just to spend a little time in their company. Alexios, who is now 12 weeks old, took the opportunity to ham it up a bit.

I think he was trying to decide which was his best side.

He is shedding prolifically now. He is showing more and more of his mother's color, though he may yet darken as he matures.

His hooves look pretty after their trim, and he is showing that he will have mismatched socks.

It was a hot day so we decided to bathe everyone. Favorito was first and he seemed to greatly appreciate having all his dried sweat washed away.

He did exactly what we'd expected once he'd been turned loose. He pawed a bit at the dirt.

Then lowered himself to the ground in preparation...

for a good roll in the dirt.

He took great pleasure in his back scratch.

And made sure to get himself entirely coated...

on one side.

We were left with a two toned horse.

Next it was time for Alexios to be introduced to the shower scrunchy that we use to bathe the horses. We've found that they love the good scratching it gives. Alexios sniffed it suspiciously.

He did allow Deb to show him what it was for though he didn't really trust it yet.

After a few swipes on his neck he wandered away and took time to absorb the experience.

Mom showed him that it was a positive thing as she stood calmly and allowed herself to be scrubbed. She almost appears to be smiling with approval.

Alexios observed for awhile and then decided he needed to burn off a little steam.

He took off after Poesia and exhibited his desire to be studly. She wasn't impressed and expressed herself by kicking out her hooves at him.

Poesia was last in line to be bathed and she decided to be hard to catch. Once she started her shenanigans, we had to see it through to the end. Finally she realized we were serious and let us catch her. Once we started wetting her down, she seemed almost embarrassed that she'd resisted such a pleasant experience.

Alexios was out in the pasture while we were lavishing attention on Poesia. He showed off just how fine a horse he is becoming.

As soon as we were done with Poesia she was ready to head out into the pasture.

Alexios gave me the opportunity to gauge just how much he's grown by grazing for awhile next to Poesia.

We left them cooler and contentedly grazing.