Username: BlueEyedKite
WME Name: Sasha
Comfort Item: Heath's ear
Ask anyone in the herd what the most embarrassing, goofy habit of any equid is and every hoof would point to Sasha. The palomino would probably be caught in the act: teeth grazing lightly on a poor herd-mate's ear.
Let's start from the beginning. Sasha and Heath were foaled in the same season. From the get go Sasha had immense separation anxiety. Unfortunately for him, his mama had one of those leave-him-with-any-babysitter-available issues. Sasha was naturally drawn to Heath. Everyone said they could be twins! This whole mortifying affair started on a stormy night. The colts were huddled together, as one does during scary thunder and lightning fests. It had started innocently enough. Heath's face was all up in Sasha's business and when one ear swatted his face, Sasha nipped the offending appendage. Heath was too distracted by the storm to move his ear out of the way, so Sasha kept nibbling. The other colt never got the hint. Sasha dozed off chewing on the ear of his buddy.
Fast forward to today. Old habits die hard. Heath, shy and pleasing as they come, lets his friend mosey on over to nuzzle on his ear. It never hurts. The other stallion is not biting, it's a sensory thing so he says. God grief is it awkward to watch for everyone else in the herd! And believe me,
everyone has told Sasha to please quit it with the ear chewing. He has a collection of excuses:
Heath doesn't mind.
I'm not hurting anyone.
My teeth itch.
At least I don't thrash on the ground to scratch my behind like you,
Rohan!
Whatever the reason, I wouldn't hold your breath that Sasha will give up his living teether. Best avert your eyes. Everyone else does.