How nice it would be if animals could talk back ! Young Christina our current young WOOFER volunteer holds conversations with the horses, chats with the turkeys, converses with the sheep and says “please” and “thank you” to the chickens. Christina is becoming the new best friend to our various four legged and feathered barnyard residents and as the days pass clearly more comfortable with her new experience.
Yesterday, as the sun shone over the Pacific Northwest Christina got her first taste of construction under Greg’s supervision and apparently was an enthusiastic learner when the power tools appeared from the tool box. As I entered the barn, Christina appeared looking for all the world like she had used power tools all her life. Nail gun resting on her shoulder and a satisfied smile on her face. Together they had worked with the nail gun and the radial arm saw to build a wooden door frame which, when completed will help protect the back barn from the Winter wind rain and snow storms. Thank you Christina.
Lady our Shire mare is a BIG horse. Our policy here at Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch is to allow our volunteers to become familiar and comfortable with our horses before we saddle her up and take the trail through the leafy forest. It is not unusual to see a look of total awe when new WWOOFERs first catch sight of the big horses and Christina was as stunned as those young volunteers who have gone before her. As the sun set last night, all the horses were safely in their stalls, sheep penned and the cows quietly munching in their barn, the turkeys and chicks were fed, eggs had been collected and all the horses groomed, Greg dusted off Lady’s saddle for an evening ride. As Greg launched Christina into the saddle the patient Shire mare chewed on her lead rope and waited as her new rider learnt the rudiments of riding…and staying on board. We had no reason to be concerned, Lady is no beginner to taking care of our novice riders and as the trail wound through the forest, the steady beat of her huge hooves, the rustling of leaves and the birds were the only distraction. Christina had a lovely ride in the evening sunshine and as we returned through the barn gates and I handed her the lead rope she was a very happy young lady.
Mom Sikora made a very welcome return to the barnyard yesterday, it was good to see her back after her unfortunate fall. I confess to anxiety when I see our senior “ranch hand” sweeping the stalls but Mom is a determined lady……call me chicken but I would prefer to challenge our 1 ton Shires than question mom’s judgement !
Time to go, happy Gail and Chris enjoy the photos of their daughters new life !
Take care, Keep safe. M
Yesterday, as the sun shone over the Pacific Northwest Christina got her first taste of construction under Greg’s supervision and apparently was an enthusiastic learner when the power tools appeared from the tool box. As I entered the barn, Christina appeared looking for all the world like she had used power tools all her life. Nail gun resting on her shoulder and a satisfied smile on her face. Together they had worked with the nail gun and the radial arm saw to build a wooden door frame which, when completed will help protect the back barn from the Winter wind rain and snow storms. Thank you Christina.
Lady our Shire mare is a BIG horse. Our policy here at Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch is to allow our volunteers to become familiar and comfortable with our horses before we saddle her up and take the trail through the leafy forest. It is not unusual to see a look of total awe when new WWOOFERs first catch sight of the big horses and Christina was as stunned as those young volunteers who have gone before her. As the sun set last night, all the horses were safely in their stalls, sheep penned and the cows quietly munching in their barn, the turkeys and chicks were fed, eggs had been collected and all the horses groomed, Greg dusted off Lady’s saddle for an evening ride. As Greg launched Christina into the saddle the patient Shire mare chewed on her lead rope and waited as her new rider learnt the rudiments of riding…and staying on board. We had no reason to be concerned, Lady is no beginner to taking care of our novice riders and as the trail wound through the forest, the steady beat of her huge hooves, the rustling of leaves and the birds were the only distraction. Christina had a lovely ride in the evening sunshine and as we returned through the barn gates and I handed her the lead rope she was a very happy young lady.
Mom Sikora made a very welcome return to the barnyard yesterday, it was good to see her back after her unfortunate fall. I confess to anxiety when I see our senior “ranch hand” sweeping the stalls but Mom is a determined lady……call me chicken but I would prefer to challenge our 1 ton Shires than question mom’s judgement !
Time to go, happy Gail and Chris enjoy the photos of their daughters new life !
Take care, Keep safe. M
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