Dublin got off easy today as I just ponied him around while riding Cowboy for a bit. Good for Cowboy too! And definitely good for me. Both boys did fine, and I just love that Cowboy is so steady that I can keep an eye on Dublin and take corrective measure with him if need by, and Cowboy will stay quiet and calm.

Afterwards, I put Dublin out on pasture next door where the fences are good, and turned Cowboy and Dexter out behind my house where the grass is long and lush, but the only fence is a string of hot wire. Dexter and Cowboy are familiar with the hot wire, while Dublin has proved that he will go right through it, so he doesn't get to hang out with the boys when they're in that spot. Because the grass is so lush, though, Dex and Cowboy don't get to stay out there very long since it could lead to horsey tummy-aches or worse, so after about 20 minutes I went to get Dexter. He was on to me and took off through the gate into the little pasture that Dublin and Cowboy share, and where Dexter lived before Dublin came along.

Dublin could see this from where he was, and apparently took exception to Dexter being in HIS territory! While Dexter avoided being caught, Dublin started trotting the adjoining fenceline, stopping occasionally to paw and toss his head, throwing in an whinny now and then. Finally, he took off running, and turned the 2-acre pasture into his personal racetrack. And it was impressive! He may have been retired from the track because he didn't like to run, but if his trainers could have seen him today, they may have reconsidered that decision. He probably made 4 laps around the pasture in the amount of time Cowboy and Dexter would have taken for a single lap. Dexter, of course, was also running by then, so there was a lot of activity going on (I don't think Cowboy ever lifted his head from the grass). Dublin stopped by the fence to give Dexter the evil eye, pawed and then struck out with both front feet, and launched off again for a few more laps.

Dexter finally got tired of all the running and allowed himself to be caught and led away. Dublin calmed down once the usurper was off his property and away from his feed tub.

Funny thing is, Dexter has seemed pretty cranky about Dublin taking over that paddock that used to be his. Who knew that little area with the simple shelter would be the target of an equine property war?