Silver Sage Ranch in Fallon

Oberon Pining for Laertes from elisemoss on Vimeo.

For the first time in five days, Laertes is in a stall next to Oberon.  Oberon has full view of Laertes.  He can see Laertes, touch Laertes, and smell Laertes.  It doesn't matter.  He is separated from Laertes and he doesn't like it.

Laertes is Oberon's security blanket.  We call Laertes the Oberon sedative.  When Oberon has Laertes nearby, he is calm and relaxed.  When they are separated, even by a fence, Oberon gets anxious, uptight, and agitated.  So, Oberon paces - back and forth like a tiger - ever vigilant to make sure nothing happens to Laertes.  Laertes might make friends with another horse at the barn.  If Laertes even looks at another horse, Oberon is annoyed.

The motion Oberon is doing with his head is called an "Arab Twist".  He flips his head, like a girl flipping her hair.  It is a characteristic of Arabians - most other breeds don't do this.  He does it when he is upset, agitated or excited.  Some horse owners will actually tie the horses head to prevent them from doing it when they ride because they are annoyed by it.  

Our next barn is in the Washoe Valley and they will be back to sharing a space.