Maggie

likes grapes and tortillas

I first met Maggie about three years ago when she was only about six months old. She was in the back of a pickup truck bawling her head off. Today she is a robust three and a half year old whose favorite foods include grapes and tortillas. Her best friend and more or less constant companion is a miniature horse named Canicus but known affectionately by all as “Mini” for his tiny size. Maggie lives on the same coffee farm as Carlitos, in fact, quite close to his house. Carlitos and Maggie often hang out together and share some laughs. Maggie has an amazingly engaging personality. She greets everyone with great enthusiasm especially if they are carrying grapes.

Fans of the little horse decided that he needed a companion. Turning him out in a pasture with regular sized horses was deemed to be dangerous because of their size and their shoes should they decide to kick the little fellow. A miniature donkey was interviewed but deemed to be too big. I asked an employee who had a connection with a goat broker if his friend might find a young, smallish female goat. A few days later, with no further discussion Maggie was in front of my house in the back of a pickup truck.

Maggie was taken over to the farm and introduced to the little horse who really didn’t seem to care much one way or the other. Both goats and horses are herd animals who do not do well on their own. Maggie spent a few nights alone bawling her head off until we were sure that the two would get along.

Maggie now has free run of the farm as she never wanders too far from the horse. If you have ever known a goat you know that they are very difficult to contain thus it is a good thing that she sticks with the horse.

Maggie quickly mastered jumping over the stall door to escape. She never went anywhere but just wanted to show everyone that she was not going to be confined in a stall. However, an iron door was added to the stall door and the humans won that round.

Maggie gets three meals a day of horse feed, corn and hay and she gets to forage whenever she is wandering the farm. Gladly she does not care for coffee plants which is a good thing since she lives on a coffee farm. She also has been known to raid the room reserved for the fellows who work in the barn and eat the tortillas that are part of their lunch. These tortillas are the ones made by Carlitos’ mother.

Maggie is quite playful.

And she is very good at keeping dogs in line. She only has to lower her head into the butting position and she gains respect from dogs immediately.

Maggie is also very good with children and frequently supervises riding lessons.

Beyker having a riding lesson with Maggie’s helpful guidance.

If you find yourself at Finca La Azotea outside of Antigua, Guatemala keep an eye out for Maggie and her pal, Mini. Even better bring along some grapes or tortillas.