Arnold lives next door-but-one from us. He is an old boy and has led an interesting life as he was used by Hazel to teach all the local children to ride. He used to have several sheep living with him, both for company and because Hazel used to spin their wool.
One by one his field companions have gone on to their Happy Hunting Ground, and so has Hazel.
Her widower, John, is 96 and still lives at home and cares for Arnold. He also keeps bees and keeps busy! John used to be a farm manager, and told me that he still finds himself counting the number of stock in the fields around, as he can't change the habits of a lifetime.
Arnold misses his field companions, and he misses Hazel, so John has made an arrangement with a local farmer to provide grazing for a few sheep. They arrived yesterday and Arnold is fascinated by them.
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| The moles have been really busy in the paddock! |
He's just not sure he wants to mingle with them yet
but keeps staring, fascinated.
The sheep are pretty interested in him too.
He is a lovely, gentle, horse - quite mischievous - as he likes to check out pockets for tasty treats and tidbits.
He loves company and he really likes children, however
today he just crunched his apple and then returned his attention to the new-comers!
I really like crumbly old buildings like this!
I quite like crumbly, old, interesting people too.
I love old horses.
Great photos! He looks like a friendly old beast.
ReplyDeleteHi Owl,
DeleteHe is a lovely old horse, very handsome and very placid.
Arnold is beautiful.How wonderful that John is still able to look after him.
ReplyDeleteHi Scarlet,
DeleteJohn is a lovely man. His mind is sharp and, despite having had heart problems, he still gets out and about and does things. Arnold is wonderful too.
What a charming life you live there. Thanks for the beautiful photos. I am in love with Arnold.
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch,
DeleteI'm so happy living out here. I knew from being a very young child that the countryside was where I wanted to be, and we finally made it! Arnold is an absolute sweetie.
Lovely. Let us know when Arnold moseys over to have a chat.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne,
DeleteI'm so pleased that you enjoyed that. I'll definitely keep you updated on Arnold and his new friends.
Hi Elaine...I guess you are sleeping as I write this...or maybe, you are rambling around in the nite.
ReplyDeleteI love horses...and I love almost anything that is old, including myself. I didn't start riding horses until I was in my late 50's.
It's a good thing your friend, John, stays busy. Arnold is still a nice looking horse. I would be proud to have him as my own.
Seeds should be in sometime this week. I will e-mail you.
Hi Meggie,
DeleteJohn is an interesting, old man and I really enjoy chatting with him. Well done you to take up riding, I'm afraid I gave up in my teens - I still love horses though and I am very fond of handsome, old Arnold!
It's very generous of you to let me have those tomato seeds, I'll be sure to plot and photograph their progress.
I enjoy the older horses, after all Sir is 22 years old this year. Arnold looks quite the gentleman. Sounds like John is too.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet,
ReplyDeleteThey are both quite wonderful, I enjoy popping in to see them. Arnold is still very handsome (John isn't bad either!) and I hope that his new companions help to give him a new lease of life.
Have you done a post on Sir? I'd love to know a little bit more about him.
I like the look of Arnold. I hope he likes his new companions.
ReplyDeleteHi Doohie, I'll be seeing Arnold later in the week, I'll let you know how they are settling in together. He is a lovely horse.
DeleteWonderful that he will have some companions, all animals need friends. We started with one cat and got another so when we were at work he'd have a friend, then one more cat adopted us so now we have three. Our neighbor used to have one cow and it had a calf one day the calf ran along the fence trying to play with me and I ran along too, next thing you know that calf would run along the fence at least once a day with me, he needed a friend too.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteI love the image of you running along the fence with the calf in hot pursuit! I completely agree, animals do need companions, and I was getting a little worried about Arnold being on his own when he'd been used to company. He should be fine now.
what a delightful looking horse.... reminds me of that scene in WAR HORSE when Joey looks behind tosee what is happening with his friend...
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
Hi John,
DeleteIsn't he a handsome horse - and sweet natured with it. I still can't bring myself to watch War Horse though - my eyes would be red for days and I would have to pretend I'd been pickling onions, or something!