Her name is Jaz and it couldn't be more fitting. She is our recently aquired two year old filly who is absolutely beautiful and who posesses more personality than most people than I come into contact with on a daily basis. Since joining our family a month ago, she has made us laugh more than Jay Leno and we look forward to each new day with her, anxiously awaiting any new antics she may have up her hooves.
Jasmine (Jaz for short), is truly unlike any horse I have ever met before. She is stubborn and obstinate, sweet and loving, all rolled into one. When she first came to live with us, she expressed just how stubborn she could be by refusing our fresh well water. Of course we were baffled. Was our water not fresh enough for her? No was her answer time and time again, as she continually turned her head in disgust when we filled the bucket in her stall. Becoming worried about her, we eventually attempted to force her to drink by holding the bucket up to her nose. At first she gently nudged the bucket, as if to say, "no thanks." But of course we are the humans and we are obviously smarter than the animal, or so we thought. So we tried again. Immediately she put us in our place. On the second attempt she took hold of the bucket by her teeth and threw it over my husband, the one who was holding it in front of her when she made it quite clear once already that she had no interest in drinking. Even soaking wet, he had to laugh at her show of intelligence (and stubborn streak). She does drink our water now, but only because we purchased a special powder to add to it; Equitea. Yes, it's tea for horses. As for snacks, our Jaz isn't much of an apple fan.
Have you ever had a horse whose favorite treat was starlight mints? No matter where in our seven acres she may be, if you rattle the empty wrapper between your fingers, she will come running for her mint. It doesn't matter how many times you call her name. In fact, she will stand and look at you while you say her name, but as soon as she hears the subtle sound of the mint wrapper, she runs as though she's in a rodeo race. And with her minty fresh breath, she will place her head on your shoulder in a type of horse hug, breathe her warm breath on your neck, and saunter off to graze again until it's time for her next treat.
Leaks are her enemy. There was a drop that was coming down directly onto her head when she would attempt to eat from her grain bucket. The moment she lifted her head from the bucket, she would look at us quite indignantly, stomp her foot and then look away before dipping her head back in for another bite. This routine occured every time the drip hit her head. My husband finally repaired the leaky roof and she is now just as happy as can be.
Every day with Jaz brings a new experience that makes us smile. Whether it's watching her run through the pasture with our German Shepard puppy, roll on her back like a playful kitten or when she sneaks up behind us while we are in the garden just to say hello, she's always letting us know she loves us as much as we love her. For our family, the past month with our new addition has been a blessing and we look forward to a lifetime with her in our lives.