Hershy's Entertainment

It had been a year since Hershey came to live with me. He had settled down nicely. We have a routine of spending our evenings taking a trail ride behind the stables. Our life fell into a nice routine that was good for both of us. I’d let him out in the pasture while I was working at the thrift store, and he would enjoy the nice weather. When I got off of work, I’d head home, tack him up, and we would go for a trail ride. Because I lived in the country, trail riding was easy exercise. We usually were still out by sunset, and got to enjoy the most beautiful views. 

Hershey was not the only one taking an enjoyment to his barn; a blue jay made her home right on one of the sides of his stall window. She had been nesting, and although Hershey was not impressed she stole some of his hay to build it, he most certainly was intrigued by her. 

It was funny to watch, this bird nesting and Hershey wondering why on Earth she was flapping about at him. I think he was too close to her nest, and she told him off. I found that every day before I led Hershey out to his pasture, he would watch the bird. Even as he was eating, he would lift his head and study her. 

I noticed that the bird would pluck tufts from Hershey’s tail, so I started leaving her little piles when I groomed him. I don’t think he was too amused, but at least her nest would stay warm. 

The longer I sat and watched, the more I felt enlightened that although they seemed to annoy each other, Hershey had a little stable mate. It made me realize that he might be lonely. That was something I had been talking to Katie about, and she did say he was really social. It might be best to start doing some more social things with him. 

It was also something that had me on the edge of if I should be looking for a second Loshenka.