Fuzzy Bear Attempt Four

It's been almost a week since I've met the brown, fuzzy Teddy Cob and the impact he has madde on my life can not be understated. Honestly, every time I wake up I remind myself about how lucky I am to have the opportunity to even interact with horses, much less interact with a horse who actually enjoys mine and my uncle's presence! Or, at least that is how it seems. I found myself mulling over all of this as we pulled into the same valley where it all started, first with my uncle, now with me. Today, we wanted to try something a bit special. My uncle has his own Teddy Cobs he has tamed years ago, a chestnut tobiano stallion named Agrid, so he wanted to let him and the wild Teddy Cob meet each other, just to test their compatibilty. 

Agrid, despite his name, was a calm stallion, always mindful and gentle with everyone. He had pasture mates in the past as well, other stallions and mares who he enjoyed spending time with, but they have all long passed away, with poor Agrid being left behind. Now older and alone, my uncle was hoping he would get along with the feral horse.

We opened the trailer in the back, slipping on Agrid's halter and securing him with a snug lead rope on his halter. He came down the trailer with no issues, even without a ramp in place. He's always been a calm horse, and right now he was truly proving it. I ran my fingers through his choppy mane, scratching him in the spot I knew he always liked. Almost desprately, I hoped they would get along with each other. I have known Agrid as long as I have known my uncle, he was even the first horse I started riding regularly thanks to my uncle. While we do have separate pastures to put them both in in case they do not get along, it would be nice to give  Agrid a friend again. This was genuinely a perfect opportunity. 

My uncle held the lead rope as we both waited in the same spot we always did. Agrid flicked his ears around, the surroundings not too unfamiliar to him as he also once used to roam here. Idly, I scratched behind his ear as we waited in anticipation for the chestnut Teddy Cob to come around again. It was a little later than we usually arrive at, as we had to attach the trailer to my uncle's truck and get Agrid from the pastures, but we have interacted with the Teddy Cob at later times.

Agrid heard it first, ears pricking in an instant. The distant jingling of a bell started to get louder,  the Teddy Cob we have been seeing for days now signalling his arrival. Agrid lifted his mighty head, strecthing it towards the noise to get a good view while also sniffing the air with an enthused curiosity. The chestnut Teddy Cob came into view, the bushes parting with a distinct rustle. As soon as they both made eye contact, Agrid neighed happily. The feral Teddy Cob looked between me and my uncle, tilting his head in confusion. He inches closer to the three of us, looking confused. But, confused was better than angry or aggressive or scared or the millions of other bad possibilties that could have happened. Yet again, the feral Teddy Cob has proven how curious, yet friendly he was. 

The feral Teddy Cob sniffed both me and my uncle, as if making sure it was still us, before going close to Agrid. As customary for horses meeting each other for the first time, they both sniffed each others withers, taking in a few minutes to take in each other's scents. I remember asking my uncle why horses did that and he said it was like they were getting to know each other and get a sense of their life. It is a little strange to think a scent could reveal so much, but I can imagine the social world looks different if your sense of smell was so strong. The feral teddy Cob was the first to break off of the meeting, stepping back. He did not look stunned or scared, but rather wary. He cautiously backed away, but before he could turn tail entirely, I took out an apple from my pocket. The horse changed his tune immediately, trotting back to all three of us. 

I tossed him the apple as he caught it in his teeth. I ran my hands through his silky hide, combing out the tangles as he continues to munch on the apple. It is as if he completely forgot any hesitance or wariness he felt regarding Agrid. Agrid neighed once again, not as a warning but as a greeting and the feral horse neighed back as soon as he finished his food. His ears were pricked in the direction of Agrid and thankfully not flat against his head, which was a good sign. But, it was getting dark soon as this whole meeting took a little longer thann expected. We put Agrid back into the trailer and left the premises, again with the same smiles and joy we felt every time we have met the feral Teddy Cob.