YAY BERT!!! What a handsome half-trimmed man. I’m so proud!
Be sure to tell him and Ernie they have a gaggle of COTH aunties cheering them on.
(Also, are we somewhat sure Bert is 2? Because man he got blessed with the “grow evenly” genes if so. Or maybe the really awkward stage is yet to come 
)
yes, but look how cute this mud ball is. square standing, stout lump of cuteness
Yep He might just be one of those blessed horses that grows evenly and never has an awkward stage.
He still has ALL his wittle baby teefs, so I am confident in saying he is under 2.5 and my gut says barely 2, if that. His corner incisors are only making partial contact. It’s possible they were born later in the season (since they came from somewhere north that isn’t godawful on fire in the summer like it is here…) which would mean they are not yet 2.
I have some iffy pix of his teeth from a few weeks ago, but I can probably have DH help me get some hands-on ones this weekend and then we can all play armchair dentist 
He looks two from the side, his chest has not dropped yet to or past his elbows.
He still has some growing and filling to do, but he does look mature for two otherwise.
Wonderful horses those two and her excellent handling will really make something awesome of them. 
No pictures this AM, but I brought Bert out (OUT! the scary GATE!) and we did a proper introduction to taking a shower. He is somewhat concerned over the noise of the sprayer when it first comes on but that’s pretty typical - otherwise, water is no big deal.
I did have to have DH stand behind him and clap a bit to get through the gate the first go, but he didn’t run me over or blast through when he finally did move. Sometimes you just need a little push to get the feet unstuck. We will start practicing that more now that I am confident he’s not going to take me lawn skiing.
I’m seeing the Baby Horse now, in those head-on pics look how narrow! Little baby ponie!
Oh but how far the expressions have come. He looks alive and happy to see you 
I’m really enjoying seeing the psychological transformation of your baby boys. Their eyes are much softer when at rest; it seems they’re beginning to figure out that this chapter in their lives is going to be a good one. Even if it does include horse-eating fly spray.
Yes, the babies look like pets!!
Friendlier expressions Just
Hanging out waiting for food.
And maybe a few scritches.
Alert Bert: we had a strange visitor just now…
Said visitor came marching down the road and turned right in the (open) gate, took himself on a little tour and then we made friends by the barn with some alfalfa pellets. Once those were gone, he marched right back out the gate and up the road, hopefully towards home.
I’m pretty sure he lives about half a mile down the road. Normally I catch stray horses and hold them for ransom (not really but I do force the owners to retrieve them) but I’m waiting for my alfalfa guy to show up and I don’t actually have anywhere to put this guy right now. He seemed reasonably friendly.
Well, no such luck. My donkey friend came back. In the interest of safety (of my own horses, and also the vehicles he tried to scratch on) he’s now jailed in one of my paddocks until someone comes looking for him.
He’s not in bad shape for a donkey in this neighborhood. He’s got some crud on his legs and the halter is rubbing the hair off his nose from being left on 24/7 but at least he’s not morbidly obese.
I have accomplished pretty much none of the things I had planned for this morning 
@MNick weren’t you after a donkey? Maybe I could facilitate some sort of deal…
Congrats on your new donkey. He heard that the food is worth trying and the care is spectacular.
OMG, this thread never fails to delight and entertain!
First, the Bowie Boys seem to be connecting with their mom.
Then Bert poses like a statue of Bucephalus.
Now @Heinz_57 has been gifted a donkey from the universe. 
Nope. I do not claim him Simply trying to keep the ruckus to a minimum. Still waiting for someone to be looking for him.
If the universe wants to gift me a donkey, it better be a miniature AND I expect it to be gelded.
Cute note: as soon as Bert was unfrozen from his Bucephalus pose, he hustled over to me and stood with me for a few seconds. Safety in numbers, you know… I’m honored to be considered worthy.
If I didn’t just take on FOUR foals I would be planning a trips. All pockets are empty now looks like you have a new donkey!
Nope his people just came for him.
As a parting gift, they backed into my driveway gate.
People are just SO generous these days
Hey Bert, a smile for the internet that is a magnet for lots & lots of followers can have many personal benefits. This is the age of influencers, and you have some expert help in that direction! 
Also Bert: “Ok I picked it up. Surely I don’t have to keep it up? What are all of these extra expectations ???” 
This is like when a poodle or cat with ribs concealed by hair gets wet, and the truth emerges.
Good boy, Ernie! You’re already looking better and better!
They were apologetic, and they just brought over and installed a new one so all is forgiven! Luckily it was just one of those cheap TSC pipe panel gates, not anything expensive.
Bert got his afternoon hose down before dinner, and everyone is all tucked in now. I’m not looking forward to it getting hotter this week
Sounds like they need to install a new one on their own property, too!
If he shows up again, I’ll kick in some cash to deliver him anonymously to @MNick. Or what about @Kinda_Kooky? Their new horse might need a cute emotional support Donkey!
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