June 2009: Harry's first entry!!

Kristen writes: Harry’s trip to Fortnight Ranch was a short, sweet 45 minute haul down I-35W. Harry arrived home with my parents and I late in the day on Thursday therefore I set him up in the barn with Boomer for the night. We have 4 equine beings on Fortnight Ranch (mini donkey: Bob, mule: Coppertop, and two horses: Kaboom and Toby) and Harry would be living out in our back 8 acres with Copper and Toby. I took Friday off of work in order to keep an eye on Harry as he settled into his new surroundings and to introduce him to his pasture buddies.

Introductions with Harry and the other horses were easy and non stressful. He is a very social guy and though he enjoyed the company of his new friends, I think he must have felt sad for Boomer (my horse who is kept up in the barn due to injury) because he stood in eye distance of Booms for several hours before joining the others to munch grass. After all, Boomer was Harry’s first bud on the new farm and they most likely stayed up all night long swapping life stories.

The first characteristic I noticed about Harry’s personality aside from his wonderful work ethic is that the boy loves to eat. When we call the horses up for dinner Harry is first to arrive at his bucket—and though he is overwhelmed with excitement he still stands patiently to be haltered and lead to his station. When dealing with multiple horses at feeding time patients and manners are a virtue, and Harry has both.

Finally Sunday morning I was able to ride Harry for the first time at our farm. I knew Harry was more than ready for his job so I tossed some trot poles down on the ground for his schooling.  He was foot perfect and effortlessly completed every task I asked of him. After his school in the arena I took him out on a hack. We walked up and across the berm that surrounds our pond, through the treed section of our property, around the main farm house, work shed, and some scary farm equipment, and back to the barn.  He did all of this whilst maintaining compete composure. The neighbors large German Shepards even ran to the fence barking and Harry did not spook, flinch or hurry. Very impressive behavior for a four year old in new surroundings. 

Though I am sad to have lost the use of my preliminary level horse, Kaboom, I’m so thankful to have found Kim and Harry.  Training and competing Harry will defiantly fill the void that has existed in my heart for the past 12 months. He fits in so perfectly at our farm and is an asset to my program. I would also like to thank Marta Marks and Rachel Birkes (they know why *wink*), and my parents, Tommy and Cheryl Weekes for their ongoing support.