Von Riesen und Zwergen

I visited the Moorland Stables with Field. Thomas Moorland was standing by the sales pens.

Gillian: “Hi Thomas. How are things going? Everything alright?”

Thomas: “Hi Gillian, can’t complain. And old Field looks good too. A friend of mine, Reyansh in Valedale, could use your help. Would you stop by?”

Since I still had time, I rode over to Valedale.

Reyansh: “Hello Gillian, I’m Reyansh. Thank you for coming. I sell draft horses. A few weeks ago I got some new ones — and one of them is causing trouble.”

Gillian: “Trouble how? What’s going on?”

We walked over to the horses.

Reyansh: “This is Maddy. She’s actually already sold, but the buyers brought her back because she keeps escaping. She even jumps high fences and disappears.”

Gillian: “Hmm… the fences at Meadowland aren’t very high either. We could put her in one of the outdoor stalls. I’ll see what we can do. Bring her tomorrow.”

The next day, Reyansh brought Maddy. Josh had already received her when I arrived.

Josh: “Pretty nervous, the little one. Reyansh gave me some more information this morning.”

Gillian: “Alright — what kind of information?”

The mare was seven years old and came from a breeding farm that was downsizing. Her last foal had been weaned just before the sale. Maddy was broken to ride and drive. She’d never caused problems at the breeder’s.

Josh: “I think she’s missing her foal.”

Gillian: “Josh! She’s bolting!”

Even though we were standing right there, Maddy took a run-up and jumped the fence in a huge arc. I froze — we were responsible for her now. She galloped off toward the Silverglade Mine. We quickly grabbed our horses and rode after her.

Josh and I agreed on a plan: I would follow Maddy across the pastures and drive her toward the sand pit. Josh rode straight there to intercept her and guide her through a broken fence into the sheep enclosure, where we could catch her more easily. We did exactly that — and it worked perfectly.

I brought Maddy back to Meadowland and put her in an outdoor stall. She panicked, reared, and I was afraid she’d hurt herself or kick the door in. She couldn’t be calmed down. Where was Josh? When he returned, he had a small miniature donkey with him.

Josh: “Look, Maddy, who I brought you. This is Barny — your new roommate. I couldn’t find a foal, but Barny will always stay a ‘foal.’”

Gillian: “Josh, you’re amazing. I could hug you right now.”

Maddy immediately calmed down and curiously sniffed Barny. We kept the two of them at the ranch for a few more days before they moved to their new owners. From the moment they were together, Maddy never tried to escape again. An unlikely — but utterly charming — pair.

Gillian: “Isn’t this wonderful, Josh?”

Josh: “It really is. And I think now I owe you a hug.”

You go out to buy a draft horse — and come back with a miniature donkey too.

For the new owners: not a problem at all.