Yesterday, after working Lily in the round pen, I watched the horses for a while before going back in the house. Smoke and Lily started playing their usual game. For the first time I recognized the game Smoke, at least, was playing: Steal the Mare. Geldings in mixed herds will occasionally try to form their own little harems, keeping “their” mares separate from the rest of the horses. Lily seemed perfectly willing to participate, cheerfully flirting, as long as she didn’t have to actually leave Rags, the third horse in the little herd. Her stride is longer than Smoke’s was two decades ago, so it was entertaining to watch her lope along beside Smoke being careful not to run faster than him, before ducking back to Rags.
Although this is the equine equivalent of the octagenarian chasing the cute young nurse around the hospital bed, I am happy to see that 28 year old Smoke feels good enough to attempt it. I am also glad to see that Lily enjoys the game, since mares can be nasty if they think they are being bothered by a gelding.