Goodbye Henry, Hello Ernie

There comes a time when old friends go and new ones appear and so it is with Henry. Not that he has met his demise, despite being elderly and a little infirm. He has gone to pastures new.
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Henry, our Irish Draught horse, has had a blissful life here in the Cotswolds after a hectic time in his earlier years on the hunting field. Recently, and with the fine spell of warmth, his days have been spent in glorious semi -retirement basking in the sunshine.
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But even the gentle hacking around the farm with She-dog at his heels has proven too much and so he has spent many weeks resting and generally enjoying life.
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But now it is time to say goodbye and he has returned to his original owners to spend the rest of his days as companion and chaperone to young foals.
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The always sensitive-to-events She-dog seems to know that her companion is leaving never to return. Goodbye, Henry!

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Hello Ernie! Seems quiet enough looking over the stable wall......
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Barney has seen this all before. Once he would have kicked out at any newcomer to his field just to show who was boss. Now he just can't be bothered - I know the feeling. So he stands there while Ernie circles sniffing and snorting ......
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And then they are off!
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Ernie cannot decide what he wants to look like. He tries the fairground horse look first ......
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..... and then the bucking bronco ....... while Barney looks on bored by all the antics.
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Ernie tries out the rocking horse look ..... finally stopping to try out the local food
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The view's not too bad either! Home could be a much worse place .....
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Comments

  1. The fairground look is quite impressive!!...as are all the photos of this beauty. Sad to see Henry age though...he should be happy as a supervisor of young foals teaching them to "respect their elders")))

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  2. what a slice of life you offer
    beautiful horses
    and land....you are blessed

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  3. Well isn't he lucky to have you! And, I feel pretty lucky having visited you in such a timely fashion. I just returned from turning out my girls and the younger one was racing around like crazy.

    I have 2 horses, a young and highly spirited black mare. And, an older bay who thinks bucking and jumping was so 10 years ago... I thoroughly enjoyed this Johnson. How exciting to have a new pony! ;>)

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  4. The horses are beautiful... I've always wondered why they put those 'blankets' on them. What is the reason?

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  5. Thanks Bren & Suz. Both the horses and ourselves are very fortunate living where we do. Never get tired of the views and the peace and quiet.

    Johnson

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  6. Hi Kate

    Thanks for the visit and glad that you liked the post.

    Horses are a great source of amusement and pleasure, aren't they?

    Johnson

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  7. Thanks Joy. The reason for the rugs is to keep them warm. Barney (in the blue rug) is ridden throughout the winter months and so has his coat clipped off - partly to keep him cool and dry when charging about with me on his back (of course, the rug is removed when he has a saddle on!).

    Ernie, having just arrived and not been ridden for a long time, had his full winter coat still on. Since these photos he too has now been clipped and is sporting a brand new rug. He rides like a dream - at least, so far.

    Sometimes you will see horses with rugs on in the summer. These are usually if the horses are being shown:to keep them clean and their coat from bleaching in the strong sunshine. Sometimes, just to keep flies off.

    Hope the answer makes some sense. Thanks for your interest.

    Johnson

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