[wcporter]

Just got back from the barn tonight, where I stopped real quick to switch out homeboy's fly sheet. Trudge out to the back 40, do the switch, apply fresh coat of spray, and stuff some carrots in his face and give some scritches while I'm at it.

Then he FOLLOWS ME the 200 yards back to the front of the field and then stands there at the gate, watching me go back to the car with a look that nearly broke my heart. If he had whinnied, I probably would have lost it lol

Never in 25 years have I ever felt guilty for leaving a horse! Especially one that has 20 acres of grass and all his buddies behind him. I get that look from my dog every time I walk out the door, but my horse??

Please tell me I'm anthropomorphizing! Because I felt terrible

[paulaedwina]

You probably are anthropomorphizing, but heck we all do right? I'd feel the same way as you!

Paula

[AliCat518]

I'm there with ya! One of mine will follow me to the truck and then watch as I leave. The others are more than happy to eat grass, but this one nuzzles me for as long as he can.

Imagine how terrible I feel when I leave him in the dry lot, with only (gasp!) hay, clean water and access to stalls and jolly balls.

His face at the gate gets me every time

[walknsound]

Awww, don't feel bad. We just have to leave them sometimes, the good thing is, we can come back. I know it's hard when they're looking at you like that.

[dani0303]

My guy does that. I went from being at the barn 6 days a week, to struggling to make it out twice (damn having a "big girl job"). He gives me a look that melts my heart every time I leave

[saultgirl]

Awwwe.... I feel the same way when I turn my horse out after riding, and he stands there looking at me until I leave. But I can see him from my house, so I know he gets over it pretty quick

[jen-s]

I'd be heading back with a tent and a cot. And I *don't* camp.

[randomequine]

That look right now is the whole reason that DH and I are making plans and working so damn hard and crazy to pay off student loans and purchase a house/land. I don't care if we live in a tiny little cottage, I HATE leaving my guy at the end of the day

[CVPeg]

Did you leave a shred of carrot in your pocket? An inquiring mind wanted to know!!

[my buddy's blue]

Henry does that too. I was sick since Sunday and when I finally trudged out to the barn instead of DH, Henry neighed and ran to the gate and waited for me to get to his paddock. He was tossing his head and acting so silly, but when I put his halter on he walked so carefully like he was afraid he was going to break me. Such a silly horse.

[Holly Jeanne]

I had one that would wait at the gate. Thing was, she was a youngster. She started doing this really early on. I'd work the other horses and then she'd want her turn (to be led or groomed). If I didn't have time or didn't want to work her right then, I'd go in the house and look out the window and she'd still be waiting at the gate for a bit. It was adorable. Now that she's all grown up and working for a living, she's not as eager and she doesn't like to be groomed. She does still stand at the fence for attention sometimes though.

[Diamondindykin]

My gelding is in full time training and I only get to see him on Saturday's because he is quite a distance away. As soon as he sees me he will start whinnying and calling me. He is so happy to see me when I come but it makes me feel really bad when I have to leave or if I can't make it one Saturday. He has been gone over a year and it still breaks my heart every time I go see him

[Alagirl]

you don't have to feel guilty for leaving...as long as you go back to the house to fetch that 5 pound bag of Karotten !

[wcporter]

Ok I dont feel so silly any more...glad I'm not the only one!

I see him almost everyday; he's only 10 mins away, and I go out to see him often if I come after BO turns them out into the field, and he's always happy to see me. But never has he followed me all the way back!

[wcporter]

Did you leave a shred of carrot in your pocket? An inquiring mind wanted to know!!

[quietann]

Sometimes I feel that way. I like just standing around and watching my horse, and feel bad when I leave her behind.

One thing that makes me smile is when she walks right over to the gate of her paddock when she sees me. She's not one to stand at the gate in general; she moseys around, nibbles on grass, and talks to her buddies in the next paddocks over. But I show up and up goes that pretty head, *prick* go those cute ears and she's got herself focused on me.

Um, well, really she's focused on the possibility of getting a peppermint or a bite of carrot from me. But I like to pretend otherwise!

[oliverreed]

I swear my guy gives me an intentionally guilt inducing look if I leave before he's had all the attention he has come to expect as his due. But I also swear he understands English.

[Sport]

Sport really likes to do something, I won't say work as he has a poor work ethic, but he likes being handled.
Last week he was off for the week due to a muscle strain. He was the biggest suck and I felt bad for not being able to do anything with him.

[JLR1]

This thread is so timely. I am a homebody and don't travel much but I was gone for 4 days this week and the barn owner said my horse who lives out in pasture waited around at the gate for me forever. Talk about the guilt trip! The day I returned he saw me coming and he whinnied and ran to the gate....I love my boy

[HealingHeart]

You guys must be doing something right to have all that love coming your way. Great heart stories.