I’ve always known that Remi covets…uhh, this sounds odd… , she covets – me.

I swear, from the beginning, Remi made it clear that she thought that she should be my one and only… which was quite flattering… but not possible around here with a cast of many.

However, this coveting continues to be a point of contention between us.  She always wants more than I have to give, which makes me feel guilty and she gets needy… sound familiar?  I feel like I’m in a teen romance novel.

Every time I look at Remi, I feel it.  She has this gravitational pull that sucks the air between us – coupled with ‘that look’.  In a way, it breaks my heart.  Am I constantly letting her down?  But, I also know that she doesn’t want to go anywhere else – after all, she is best friends with Sam and totally in love with Rojo…    But aside from her horsey buds, Remi is the new Boss mare who is on a mission to make me love her MOST.

(When Mama Tess passed, that night during feeding, I swear I heard Remi say, “Now more time for me…” as I gave her a flake.  Her message was so loud and clear, I kinda stepped back and looked right at her.  She was looking right back.)

And today, Remi went to battle for me – against Annie.

THE FIRST FROLIC AND FEAST OF THE YEAR!

Finally, it has rained enough around here to sprout some green.

Time to release the lawn mowers!

So, I did.  Four of them.  Remi, Rojo, Sam and Gwen.  The three mustangs and Gwen.  Gwen is definitely the third wheel in this scenario, but honestly, she’s never bonded with anyone except her mother, Mama Tess.  And, she eats about the same as the mustangs so she is in with them.

Anyway, I let them all loose.

As usual, the ones who were not set free, put up a fuss.  The ponies were kickybucking, Norma was trotting around, Finn and BG were screaming from their paddock… and Annie came RUNNING from wherever she was, very very very very very upset.

ANNIE AND THE FENCE

Annie has yet to be set free to eat grass here.  She came just a few months ago when the grounds were all brown – no need for lawn mowing.

I haven’t taken the time to learn what Annie would do when let out…  and today was not the day.  I don’t know why it was not the day, but let’s just say that I didn’t think about it until I had already let out the Mustang Gang.

So, anyway, Annie was upset.  She ran back and forth along the fenceline, headbutted a few ponies along the way which sent Norma running for cover.  The Bigun was pissed.

GRAZING, POCKET SNIFFING AND…

The Mustang Gang were delighting in the wondrous events that take place when let out.  Usually, they fleece the apple tree, but it was barren still.  Then they run around trying to find the best grass before anyone else.. and after about an hour, they settle and graze around the house.

But not today.

Annie simply could not wrap her head around the notion that other horses were out and she wasn’t.  Letting other horses out was an injustice!  The girl would not settle down!

I didn’t know this about Annie.  To me, she seemed like the sweetest horse around.

But not today.

Annie (snorting in disgust):  “I’m special.  I’M SPECIAL.   You tell me that I’m special.  You’ve TOLD ME THAT I’M SPECIAL.  I SHOULD BE OUT, not them!”

CRRRRRRRACK GOES THE FENCEBOARD!

I was a bit oblivious to all this… I mean I knew Annie was running around, but I figured she’d settle down.  So, I went  inside.  And that was when I heard it.  The first “squeeeeeeell, cr-raCKKKK!  KA THunk.

“No!  Noooooooo!” I was using my best outside voice, trying to project through the walls.

I ran downstairs and then I heard it again.

“SQUEEEEEALLLL, GRRRRRRR I HATE YOU, I’M THE BOSS HERE.  CRRRRRRACKKKKK!! KATHUNK.”

Another board down.

Flying out the front door, I saw them.  Remi and Annie standing neck to snakey neck over the fence, trying too look very innocent but caught red handed.  I could see at least one previous hissyfit busted up location.

“What?  Nothing to see here.  We’re really good friends, we swear.”  They stood rock solid.

Me (to Remi):  “Go on, Move!”

Annie (to Remi):  “neeener neener”

With that, Remi put her mustang butt up against the fence and gave one more powerful smackdown towards the massive mare dancing behind the wheezing board.

Me:  “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  GET OUTTA HERE  NOW!”

Remi:  “But I love you and I’ve observed you being nice to her a lot – so I hate her.  Besides, she is making too much noise and she is not allowed to make that much noise.”

Sigh.  Remi was taking a stand.

APPEASING THE MARES

I shooed Remi away and entered Annie’s pasture to check on her.

She ran up to me and practically hugged me with her head.

Annie:  “It was so awful.  That horrible, ugly, mean, messed-up mare was so unfair to me.  Why did you let HER out to graze.”

Me:  Oh, you’re alright… You just have to get used to other horses being out when you aren’t.  And, I hate to break it to you… but even though you are the biggest, she is the baddest.  You don’t want to mess with her.  She IS the boss.  This isn’t about love, it is about respect.”

Annie:  “Huh? Her, the boss?  Don’t you love me?”

Me:  “Of course.  Don’t you feel loved?  Trust me on this one.  You don’t want to mess with Remi.  In fact, it would be wise for you to get her on your side.  She is a better protector than Norma, if you can believe that.”

Annie:  “Really?  Better than Norma?”

I nodded and as I was looking over Annie’s shoulder, I saw Remi, staring at me, heartbroken.

REMI GETS MAJOR LOVING

Remi has a very expressive face.  I saw her looking at me, frozen with disappointment.

So, I did what I knew I had to do.  I went to her.

I went to her and fawned all over her.  I told her how gorgeous she was and how beautiful and strong and smart and powerful and on and on and on.  I rubbed her favorite spots and stood there until she was appeased and walked off, glancing triumphantly over her shoulder to Annie who stood watching.

I looked over at Annie and she was quiet.  No more fussing.  No more screaming.  She understood.

It wasn’t about love, it was about rank.    I just had to respect Remi’s place in the herd – as did Annie.