To each her own
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339930)
Rockingham, Australia
August 14, 2023 7:47pm CST
Well-mannered pets are a joy to look after. Dogs and horses in particular are much easier to sell/give away/rehome if they are respectful of people. And let’s admit it, sometimes animals do need to be rehomed for whatever reason.
There are three horses at this house-sit and they each get a haynet every morning. It’s not unknown for horses to rush to get to their feed, pushing and shoving each other and perhaps endangering the handler as well.
These three are models of propriety. They quietly follow me and the wheelbarrow down to the trees and they each go to their own tree and wait while I hang up the haynets. I’m not saying they’ve been taught to each go to a tree. I’m sure they’re worked it out themselves but they always go to the same trees and wait patiently.
Dixie the dog stands back while you put her food in her bowl and only comes forward when you give her the okay. It’s a pleasure to look after such well-behaved pets.
The photo is from last year but it’s just the same this year. Later in the day, they’ll return to the nets and go to whichever has any hay left.
22 people like this
23 responses
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
15 Aug 23
You know the funny thing, I never worried about Freckles’ “manners.” The only people who ever babysat her were my mom and aunt, and she was the same around them as she was around me. But you’re correct: a well-behaved baby is so special.
3 people like this
@averygirl72 (37845)
• Philippines
15 Aug 23
It's good to know you are taking care of animals that are well-behaved. Everyday is easy with them
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
15 Aug 23
I wonder how the owners trained them to do that. Our horses always rushed us when we took bales of hay out to their feeding stations.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
15 Aug 23
@JudyEv Interesting, anyway, to think about it.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79858)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Aug 23
What nice horses, I am glad all the animals are so well behaved it makes it easier to deal with them,
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61094)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Aug 23
Yes. Manners are what I must have with a dog. Rufus is a loud and crazy guy at times but when it comes to the essentials like wait! when I'm heading down stairs, he is a good boy and a champ. I refuse to walk with a dog that yanks on me. Must have manners or stay home.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61094)
• Centralia, Washington
16 Aug 23
@JudyEv Exactly. Rufus knows he must be by my left side. NO zigging in front of me. He waits for me when I head down a curb and waits politely at a stop light when told to. He needs to work and when he is out with me, he is serious and working.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (87806)
• Bangalore, India
15 Aug 23
It's heartening to know that. Dixie and these horses do have some table manners of gentlemen. It must be pleasant to feed them 
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47308)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 Aug 23
So... they've read Emily Post?
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89882)
• Arvada, Colorado
15 Aug 23
Bless all the lovely creatures Judy, 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Aug 23
It's an idyllic pastoral scene in a way, isn't it? All eating their meal like good little children.
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
15 Aug 23
Aww. That's so sweet. I love nicely mannered animals. I'm so jealous. Enjoy your day.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (14554)
• Hong Kong
15 Aug 23
Do you think they have been trained or just behave this way?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Aug 23
They have just worked it out themselves I'm sure. They know their pecking order and are too mature to try to move up the line. They accept their place in the herd and have somehow worked out which tree they'll stand by. It's pretty funny really.
1 person likes this
