Little chestnut filly Fiona is, on first glance, possibly the equine resident of the ranch least likely to cause any significant trouble....WRONG !! Fiona is clearly the product of selective breeding... the ancient Welsh Pony, the Quarter Horse and the Tennessee Walker have apparently all helped create possibly the smartest, most problematic, wily pony ever to create havoc on the ranch. Within days of her arrival, little Miss Fiona checked out the ranch pond and had her inauguration swim from one muddy bank to another, created the big Ranch breakout and caused traffic chaos on the ranch road. Our smallest equine resident has, despite her size, possibly the loudest, most consistent whinny in the barn and whether hanging her pretty little chestnut head over her stall door or standing on a grassy hillock in the pasture, Fiona's whinny resonates through the valley. Clearly young Fiona, free to graze on the fresh Spring grass with her handsome bay pasture companion Ky, is missing female company and the little chestnut filly resolved to rejoin black mare Mariah and Chelsey the flea bitten grey mare in the pasture across the pond regardless of the cross fencing that was, when challenged by the determined little chestnut pony, totally, woefully ineffectual. Fiona, the determined four legged escape artist once again traversed the creek and just to make life even more interesting (?) demolished the fence in her resolute determination to rejoin the (it has to be said) disinterested mares happily grazing on the other side of the fence. Happily, the breakout didn't result in traffic chaos this time and despite a string of muttered expletives from an exasperated Greg, no animals were hurt and no real damage incurred by the most recent "great escape".
Tonto, the tiny Paso Fino gelding was through the Winter, a picture of abject misery. After the disappearance of his pasture mate, Tonto was inconsolable. Daily he frantically paced the fence line, ploughing a deep furrow on the boundary of his pasture. From dawn to dusk he walked in lonely anguish, watching from afar every move of the other horses but never pausing to eat or drink. With the sad demise of old T bone, Mr. Cooper the thoroughbred gelding also lost his long time companion and after much careful thought, deep consideration and extended discussion the decision was made to introduce desperately lonely and very anxious Tonto to Mr. Cooper the big "been there, done that" senior bay gelding. Nothing could have prepared us for the change in circumstance we witnessed as the two were turned out into the pasture this morning. Tonto the little Paso Fino, head tossing and mane flowing, headed resolutely for Mr. Coopers favourite mud hole and slowly and deliberately took a very leisurely roll, legs and belly in the air, head grinding in the dirt, little Tonto made the big bay gelding wait. Clearly, either size isn't everything or Tonto is a pony looking for trouble. Time will tell !
Well, I guess, there is a fence to fix tomorrow but tonight all heads were contentedly looking over stall doors, the cats were curled up in the hay, Bella the Jersey heifer and her companion, Sirloin the red steer were sleeping in the cow stall and the flock of sheep were loudly complaining about what ever it is they complain about. In the rafters, the barn swallows are busily constructing their nests and on the pond Mr. and Mrs. Goose were happy to welcome the arrival of five active little goslings. All is well on the ranch. Life is good to us. Take care, keep safe, M
Tonto, the tiny Paso Fino gelding was through the Winter, a picture of abject misery. After the disappearance of his pasture mate, Tonto was inconsolable. Daily he frantically paced the fence line, ploughing a deep furrow on the boundary of his pasture. From dawn to dusk he walked in lonely anguish, watching from afar every move of the other horses but never pausing to eat or drink. With the sad demise of old T bone, Mr. Cooper the thoroughbred gelding also lost his long time companion and after much careful thought, deep consideration and extended discussion the decision was made to introduce desperately lonely and very anxious Tonto to Mr. Cooper the big "been there, done that" senior bay gelding. Nothing could have prepared us for the change in circumstance we witnessed as the two were turned out into the pasture this morning. Tonto the little Paso Fino, head tossing and mane flowing, headed resolutely for Mr. Coopers favourite mud hole and slowly and deliberately took a very leisurely roll, legs and belly in the air, head grinding in the dirt, little Tonto made the big bay gelding wait. Clearly, either size isn't everything or Tonto is a pony looking for trouble. Time will tell !
Well, I guess, there is a fence to fix tomorrow but tonight all heads were contentedly looking over stall doors, the cats were curled up in the hay, Bella the Jersey heifer and her companion, Sirloin the red steer were sleeping in the cow stall and the flock of sheep were loudly complaining about what ever it is they complain about. In the rafters, the barn swallows are busily constructing their nests and on the pond Mr. and Mrs. Goose were happy to welcome the arrival of five active little goslings. All is well on the ranch. Life is good to us. Take care, keep safe, M
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