Subdued power trips

I've been noticing how the herd dynamics are working themselves slowly out, there are definitely less full-out violent attacks on my baby lately. The other day I arrived and Baasha was in proximity to Sharif, the herd boss. Proximity. The bubble of his evil power is shrinking!

I put hay out today, and Sharif pushed Baasha away, as usual, but Baahsa didn't flee at speed, no, he just got out of the way at a quick walk. That's great, I was getting worried at how often he had to jump down muddy embankments onto his poor ankles to avoid Sharif's bared teeth.

The coolest thing happened tonight, I witnessed it. Baasha was finishing up his dinner feed (some grain and soaked hay pellets), when Galim decided to come take it away from him. I watched as Galim swaggered over. I was shocked when Baasha didn't move. I was more shocked when I saw Baasha's face. His ears were pinned and he shot a glance like, "No. Mine." Galim stopped and I could see his brain working. He needed a new approach. Then he took one, literally. He circled around and approached Baasha from behind, ears back. It worked, Baasha moved off and gave up the rest of his dinner. Then Sharif saw what was happening and came trotting over. Galim fled. Baasha forced into the shelter, but didn't flee as he would have before. Sharif followed Baasha into the tent to make sure there was nothing good to eat in there, and Baasha still didn't flee. Then Sharif finished Baasha's dinner.

Some semblance of a peaceful coexistence during feedtimes might one day occur. Especially after the ponies are gone. The shetland mare still thinks she can boss Sharif, and they have daily spectacular confrontations at feedtime where she charges him, he charges her, head to head, she changes her mind, squeals in rage as she wheels around, throws up her heels while urinating a bit(?) as she escapes him.

I predict Baasha will take Galim's spot, and Galim will be at the bottom. It's bewildering for Galim that I defend Baasha during feedtime. Sharif RUNS from me when I clap my hands and yell at him "Git!" but Galim doesn't believe me, he must be remembering the sugar cubes. I have to physically push him to get him to leave me alone when I'm trying to visit Baasha.

I cleaned Baasha's feet, put thrush medicine in his frogs, and Desitin on his heels, and was about to leave, when I saw the little shetland baby holding up his leg and trying to walk on the other 3. Oh no! The exact words that went thru my head were "Oh no, the little jerk hurt himself!" but it pained me to see him hurting. I had to go check it out, but I've never handled him before. I specifically avoid him, cuz he's a mouthy little brat that would like to rip my clothing up with his teeth if given the chance. He's learned when I glare at him and stomp toward him, to get out of my way.

How to approach him? I looked down at his feet, he looked up at me. I held my two hands in front of me as if I was offering something, beckoning him. I talked to him in a friendly voice. He's freaking adorable, he looked up at me with his fuzzy face and did not move an inch. I ran my hands down his poor leg and felt nothing. He tried to bite my watch off. *sigh* Nothing. I felt his shoulder, I have a feeling it's there, for some reason. Again and again I tried to feel for a problem, but felt nothing. He was wonderfully plush like a stuffed animal. I told his owner to call the vet. I hope it's nothing serious, the poor little guy. I don't like babies, but I don't want to see him hurting and unable to frolic like he's known to do, running full blast, worrying his mother. We'll see.