Hanging Out With Uncle Tjarda

There's an odd phenomenon where on most days, when I take out Loxley, tie him up for grooming, walk him down the street, take him somewhere to do some ground work, it truly looks as though he has grown 1" - 2" from the previous day. Now, if this were really happening, Loxley would be about 25 hands by now, and I think he's really about 16.2+. But he is growing up, getting taller, thicker, showing a somewhat more mature face, even his voice is a little deeper when he whinnies hello upon my arrival at the gate.

That is, until we meet up once every few days with one of our great Rancho friends, Uncle Tjarda. Tjarda is an eight year old Friesian owned and loved by our good friends and neighbors Monica and Steve. These pictures don't fully show what a spectacular horse Tjarda is, but believe me, he takes your breath away every single time you see him. He's well over seventeen hands and very sturdy, as is typical and appropriate for his light draft breeding. Seeing Loxley next to Tjarda is always a good reminder that Lox has a long way to go to grow up!

These two have become good buddies and Tjarda's sweet, kind social nature serves as a wonderful role model for young Lox. They are both enthusiastic about getting together for walks and turnouts, and even get to groom each other like real horses (as much as their respective Moms can stand it!). The other day they got to graze together on Aunt Claudia's front lawn, and they were happy as clams. Especially for horses who live alone, these social outings are just as important as the training ones.