Hello my friends, and welcome to my first posting of 2024. It is I, Gimli Black, your faithful correspondent on life here at Mercy Spring Ranch.
I am excited about the new year to come. Miss Mo has already posted some of the major upcoming events on our Facebook page. Be sure to check it out to learn more about what is happening on the ranch for you.
One event (over three separate Saturdays) is the Horse Handler Training. This is for volunteers who are prepared to sign up to regularly help with poop patrol, grooming, turning out horses, etc. Participants must register ahead of time. Contact the ranch if you want more information at monique@mercyspringranch.org or (209) 691-6054.
This training is for folks who are serious about working with horses on the ranch. The three sessions are very hands-on. They are important for folks to learn how to work with horses safely and effectively. The first class will be on Saturday, January 20th from 10am to 1pm.
For those who simply want to learn about horse care, we will allow folks to audit the classes. You will get to watch the training, but will not receive any hands-on work. It will not make you a horse handler, but you will grow in your appreciation of our equine herd and what is involved in their care.
Speaking as someone who is on the receiving end of horse handlers, I appreciate this training immensely. I have worked with Miss Mo over the years to guide her in putting together a quality course. A horse of my world stature needs to be groomed with skilled hands, especially before one of my many photo shoots. I hope that you will consider this training.
And speaking of grooming, you probably noticed on Facebook that the goats and Noel were recently the recipients of a mani-pedi. They were probably jealous of my feet (my most recent treatment had my hooves painted in rainbow colors!).
I do not mind those little critters being pampered, but I do object to the way they were handled. Each one was put into their own “deck chair hammock” and gently swaddled on their backs while their feet were trimmed. They even had a volunteer cuddle them while they were groomed. At the conclusion of their mani-pedi, they were treated to munchy Goat-I-Os.
Where are the horse hammocks? Where are our own personal human cuddlers during grooming? Where are our horse cookies when the treatment is over? I discern partiality when it comes to caring for animals on the ranch. All animals are equal, but it appears that some are more equal than others. The ASPCA shall hear of this cruelty!
Well that’s all for this week. I trust that you all will have a blessed new year. Watch for all new adventures of Gimli Black in 2024!
Happy Trails,
Gimli January 8, 2024