Stable

The three now ponies, plus my dear saddle horse, Magnum, and a long-ago pony,
Deranged Richard, teaching the girls how to pony.

Someone left the pony barn door open last night....probably because it's so warm and they didn't want it to get too stuffy.

Anyhow, I wandered over at o'dark-thirty this morning to make sure all was well. As the beam of my flashlight preceded, me a throaty chuckle came from Jack. He knows me of old and knows I'm a sucker, good for a treat or two. His nicker is so seductive, I swear if he was a kid, grandma would give him the whole cookie jar and then look around for something else tasty for him.

Diamond knows me as well and in the same way and came to stand tiptoe at the edge of her stall, peeking over to see what was up.

Gambit however, is not so familiar. I tend to dogs and goldfish and people and house plants these days....not my ponies and all. The rustle of the hay I found by the door lured him over for the party though...

Two slabs of the boss's good hay divided three ways so as not to mess with anyone's diet. There was a rustling and a couple of sighs of contentment as I left, leaving the door open behind me. It must be nearly fifty out there.

It was a moment, short, yet utterly sweet. I've missed the quiet sounds of well-cared for animals taking nourishment without fear or discomfort. There's a bond. If you have livestock you know it. Sad to think that animal rights activists would call this exploitation and want it ended right away. 

Good morning ponies, I'll bet the ice is soft enough that you can maybe go out to play today.

Gambit

Gambit didn't place, but it was fun to watch him go. Very few ponies had any clue about side passing down the pole and putting their front feet in the hula hoop and pivoting around in a circle.

Diamond at the Fair

This is the pony-in-hand obstacle class at the Fonda Fair. Most of the ponies, ours included, had never been asked to side pass or pivot a circle with their feet in a hula hoop before. However, they all gave it a go....some with more success than others.

Diamond did us proud and came in third. The voices you hear are me shushing Peggy, Peggy singing, and the dairy judge in the other ring giving reasons.

Gambit

Please join us in welcoming THS Timeless Nights In Satin (AKA Gambit) to NY. He came all the way from Ohio over the past couple of days. Peggy thinks Uncle Alan is the greatest and thanks him for making this possible.

I would also thank you all for good thoughts that he settle in all right and thrive here.

Thanks!