Hello faithful readers. It’s time for another issue of the Gimli Gazette, brought to you by yours truly.
Since my human caretakers were busy celebrating one of their holidays (I can never keep track of them all), it has been a quieter week at the ranch. Living the good life as a ranch horse, every day feels like a holiday to me! Food appears on a regular schedule (though never enough!), my paddock is cleaned to quality standards, and I am showered with affection by continual visitors.
I was recently asked by a visitor how I feel about fireworks. In general, loud noises tend to be very stressful to horses. They tend to interrupt my contemplation of the mysteries of the universe, especially at night when I am more reflective.
Rather than just ask Ladyhawke and Connor how they feel about fireworks, I used Google on my cellphone to see how other ranchers calm their horses during noisy holidays. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) to learn the number one way to get horses through the night — Give them more hay! It apparently distracts the horses from the noise, and keeps them focused on their food. I hope that Miss Mo and Mr. John can glean this wisdom from other ranchers and fill my feeder accordingly!
There was a lot of excitement with my little feathered neighbors last week. I am referring of course to the many chickens that have their coop close to my paddock. Sometimes one or two will try to go for a swim in the pasture water trough (I’m looking at you, Rooster Fred); but all in all, they are fine neighbors. I might even let them be backup singers on a track or two with their clucking on my next recording.
It was time for the chickens to get treated in order to remain healthy. A volunteer had to run and corner a chicken and hold it in place while Miss Mo would spray it. Many chickens did not want to be caught, so the chase was on! Needless to say, I had hours of delightful entertainment watching the action unfold before me.
Well, that’s all for this week. I hope you were all safe over the holiday. I am feeling much better and back to my old, perky self.
Happy Trails,
Gimli July 6, 2022