Thank You Christina...

Aristocratic grey thoroughbred Player usually spends his day alone, he doesn’t have to share his pasture, his hay or his time with another horse and has for some time appeared to be content with his singular bachelor existence…..but something has changed over the past week. At Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch we no longer allow pasture board for our equine friends partially to protect our grazing land but also to keep the horses out of harms way. Due to a series of unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances two very pretty little bay Arab mares have found a temporary home in one of our “resting” pastures. The arrival of our new four legged guests has not gone un- noticed by the other barnyard residents….in particular, handsome Player. Fitz and Raven arrived in the dark on a foggy damp evening and was for the most part a non event for the other horses sheep and cows who were more concerned with the sweet smelling hay in their manger than the arrival of two strangers but in the early morning light the two little bays became much more interesting. Player noticed the “ladies” as I led him down cow lane his ears pricked, there was distinctly flirty tail swish and a “look at me” tilt of his handsome grey head, clearly Player was interested….seriously interested. The two new comers in the adjoining pasture waited expectantly, shadows in the swirling fog. Player looked, acknowledged their undivided admiration nuzzled for his apple morsel …..and stood. Fitz and Raven waited. Player tossed his head, looked at his loaded hay feeder, looked at the enticing “ladies” still watching his every move and slowly…so slowly sauntered across the damp grass to properly introduce himself. Mr. Cooper, one of our two “senior” boarders wasn’t quite as unrestrained in his admiration. Close, but not close enough to challenge the younger grey for the ladies attention, Mr. Cooper had to watch from a distance but that didn’t prevent him from strutting his stuff posing posturing and prancing to attract their attention. Poor T Bone, way too unstable on his ancient old legs to worry about the alluring little bay mares in another pasture just enjoyed having exclusive access to the hay feeder without being harassed by his younger pasture mate. Daisy the black Dexter and Misty Moo the adorable Jersey heifer wandered down cow lane to introduce themselves and stood in awe as Fitz and Raven snorted snuffled and tried to make sense of the new ranch residents. Even Tiger the tabby barn cat left the manure pile (where he is either hunting or keeping warm on the cover of the steaming heap) to say hello. Welcome to the Ranch Fitz and Raven.

Greg and I would like to thank Christina for her help since she has been here but particularly for her help over the past few days. Greg has been down at the barn waving his walking stick and his crutches, he has tried to help with his swollen toes peeping out of the plastic bag with which he has shrouded them BUT if it hadn’t been for Christina….I would have been booking a nervous breakdown in the next week. Thank you Christina you have been amazing…..and fun.

Time to go, the cuckoo clock has spoken. Take care M