Pedro & Athena in the Big Field

Pedro and Athena out together — finally! We’ve been wanting to try them in the big field, and they seem kind and respectful with each other. I prefer to have horses paired up or in groups whenever possible, and it makes me so happy to see this.

There’s scientific research showing that horses’ heart rates are slower and their blood sugar levels lower when they live in a herd setting rather than being individually locked in stalls without much social contact. Horses work best as a herd — it’s how they’re meant to be.

That’s one of the many reasons I set up my barn (20 years ago!) with open paddocks connected to my stalls, so the horses can live with a herd mentality and have contact over the fence 24/7, while still having privacy in their stalls when needed — especially if they have different food needs or just want to protect their meals.