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Harv and his three-year-old love. |
Most of you know that Harv colicked recently. The weather may have been a factor, I suppose (extremes of hot and cold), but aside from that there is nothing to explain his digestive upset. Nothing except...
Harv has Met Someone. And he is Totally Gaga. Crazy in Love.
New barn, new friends
Harv was initially turned out with noble 17.2H black gelding, George. George is steady and quiet, and he he had a calming influence on My Thoroughbred Boy. Harv had a great babysitter to keep him happy, but then...
A new mare came in for training. Harv has never been out with a mare (since I've owned him, at least), but he's 26 for heaven's sake. It seemed safe to introduce the mare into the same field as Harv and George.
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Harv looks on anxiously while his love flirts with George. |
It went well... Too well
The mare is a sweetheart of a three-year-old, and she tolerated the initial attention of both geldings as they sniffed and nuzzled. After the first few minutes, George just wasn't that into her. Harv, though, was waaaay over the top. He pranced, he strutted. He followed her like a puppy, he circled her protectively, he pinned his ears at poor George. Workers found that if they did not bring Harv and the mare in as a pair, Harv was quite beside himself.
You may think I'm exaggerating, but -- it's not my imagination! Others see it too. One of the barn workers told me "Harv's got it bad." I got a text from another one: "Harv has hearts in his eyes."
Lovesick
Harv had his tummy ache about a week the mare came -- probably in that timeframe that is the human equivalent of the first few dates, and before "couplehood" is achieved. Who doesn't get a stomach ache during that awkward time in the relationship?
They are inseparable now. Let's hope this lasts, for everyone's sake.