One Is the Loneliest Number ...

A day or so ago, I got this text from the ranch owner ... 

Speedy can be a gigantic pain in the butt. He's a total diva, constantly demanding that each and every individual quirk become the world's priority. But then I get a message like this one, and my heart melts. For all of his bravado, Speedy is quite the tender heart. 

I got to the ranch too late to ride yesterday afternoon; I had a doctor's appointment. Totally off topic, but after more than a year, the neurologist has just about eliminated my migraines. (If you're a new or casual visitor, I rode through last summer's show season with migraines so severe that I couldn't tell one lead from the other.) I recently started taking a monthly injection in an attempt to prevent ANY headaches from occurring. So far, I am down to just a few a month. This is a huge improvement over having a migraine nearly every day of the week.

Since I didn't have quite enough time to ride, I puttered around the barn instead. The first thing I did was grab Speedy and turn him loose out in the yard. He was thrilled to hang out with his girl as he grazed on all the new winter grass. She happily tagged along with him as he nibbled the grass along her fence line.

While Speedy visited with his lady friend, I swept out the feed room, unloaded my monthly supply of LMF Senior, and prepped both boys' evening buckets. I love to putter; it clears out the mental cobwebs. You all know what I mean. It's like cleaning stalls, each fork-full eliminates one more pile of mental garbage. The broom does the same thing. 

Since Speedy has taken up residence at his gate, and I mean literally at the gate, his field has had a good soaking from the rain. The intermittent storms have been followed with bright sunshine that has encouraged some lovely new grass to sprout. Since Speedy hasn't left the gate in the past month, he had no idea what deliciousness was just steps away.

After feeding both boys, I walked out into Speedy's field knowing that he would follow me. In no time at all he noticed the grass and helped himself to a few mouthfuls. I don't know that he'll feel comfortable wandering down there on his own, but at least he knows the walk will be worth it.

We'll both be glad when the Red Mare moves back in. I think the ranch owner was right; Speedy seems a bit lonely. This is a three-day weekend for me, so I plan to spend as much time as I can letting him visit with his lady friend. Riding will help him feel better too.

​Thank goodness for Fridays.