Ein Leben für Pferde

I had really done it. I was standing on the ferry to Fort Pinta with what felt like fifty boxes. I had quit my job, and my apartment was rented out for a year. Now my new life on Jorvik was about to begin. I was full of excitement, plans, and ideas. Everything was going to be wonderful… but hopefully someone would come pick me up?! Little by little, I introduced myself to the staff. I asked them if they enjoyed working at Meadowland, whether anything should be changed, and if they had any suggestions for improvement. A business is only as good as its team – and a ranch was no different. Uncle George had understood that long ago, and that wasn’t going to change under my watch.

Gillian: “We’re a team. Do you have any suggestions?”

Danny: “We definitely need a professional rider. That would greatly increase the horses’ chances of being sold.”

Rosalind: “Next to the sales stables, we could open other shops. For riding equipment, for example, or hire a horse stylist. Lots of people come through here – it would surely do well.”

Mary: “Improvements?! Oh yes! I could also herd the livestock of other farms here. That would be good business.”

Gillian: “Oh Mary, I’ve heard a lot about your herding skills. But maybe we’ll skip that – I don’t want you overworking yourself.”

At the outdoor stables, I met Wesley.

Wesley: “This is Tricky – our current problem child. He had a large wound on his left shoulder. Could you take him over to the veterinarian? She wanted to have a look at it.”

Gillian: “Of course, Wesley. I’d be happy to.”

At the veterinarian’s

Gillian: “… so how is the little one doing?”

Assistant: “It’s looking very good. I think you can start with some movement now. No peak performance, but light training should be fine.”

The first day of my “new life” came to an end. I felt happy, exhausted, but also a little anxious – wondering if I had made the right decision. It was so beautiful here. I sent a quiet “thank you” to Uncle George and went to bed.