RalphtheWonderPony Returns!!

Ralph's been living in Monroe County these last 10 months keeping Pippy company after her gelding, Two Socks, died. Pippy, a bay TB mare, was very picky about who she welcomed into her pasture and turned her nose up at Woody (another gelding) and Asia (the mother of the Princess of the Universe) both. Ralph, who is innocuousness personified, passed the Pippy test (no snorting and striking out in anger) and he went to live with her the day I picked up Babe. Having lived with Asia for two years, Ralph's a pro at keeping out of the way of snickety, bay TB mares even if he is a menace to society and a danger to us all! See the sign I had made for him three years ago?

Ralph expects everyone to bring him treats and he will take your hand off to get to one. You have been warned. You can see that Babe is very concerned about this dangerous pony. What with the new subdivisions springing up in the cotton fields and peach orchards that were out here when we moved in 15 years ago, I thought it wise to get this sign made.

Well, Pippy's getting a new pasture buddy today (another TB gelding; let's hope she's polite to him) and I brought Ralph home. I'm delighted to have PonePone back at the Black Hole. I introduced him to Babe over the fence line and no harsh words were spoken. Asia certainly remembered him. Before I put him in with them, I put Babe in her small paddock and tossed her some hay. Ralph came in and wandered around the "pasture," seemingly checking to see if there was anything new or different.

1. Water trough? Yep
2. Salt block? Yep
3. Temperamental bay mare? Double yep
4. Hay? Yep and yay!


Ralph saunters along here unconcerned about his relocation back to Peach County.

For about 20 minutes I sat out on the old, metal water trough that serves as seating and a mounting block since it's flipped upside down. Ralph never wandered over to touch noses or exchange thoughts with Babe. Asia stayed near Babe and watched Ralph as he checked everything out. Babe ate hay and watched Ralph, but didn't seem agitated. So, I gave them all their night's ration of grain and then put halters on Asia and Babe and turned Babe loose. The halters were there in case I needed to rush in and grab one of them should things go sour, but bless their horsie hearts, there was no ugliness at all. After another ten minutes of watching them interact peaceably, I took the halters off and came inside, which was a blessed relief as the temp was 99 degrees. Aack. I've checked on them every ten minutes or so by looking out the window and all is calm.


Babe meets Ralph.

There can never be enough pretty pictures of horses posted to the internet. Here's one of Asia and Ralph.