We visited Chloe today and Maria is going to see her tomorrow and ride her for the first time. She is getting set, she has a trainer and teacher, we have a great farrier, she has a saddle and tack. Chloe and I did some bonding this afternoon as well, although she is very clearly Maria’s horse. We have seen this again and again, the special and very spiritual beauty when an animal and a human choose one another at the same time.

And since we had a pony and have had donkeys for years – they are equines – we are set up, we have pretty much everything we need.

I can see that Chloe is the perfect animal for Bedlam Farm. She is even-tempered, grounded, experienced, she lives with three donkeys and some pushy horses, she can  handle herself. She is independent-minded, but she also loves attention and is affectionate.

Like Maria, she is feisty, can take care of herself, likes attention and also some space. I am certain Lulu and Fanny – both also females, obviously –  will accept her, Chloe is twenty years old, she has been around and seen a lot. She was pulled out of a mudhole and Ken and Eli Norman have been looking for the right home for her. Maria is moving slowly and carefully, another month of visits, grooming, riding lessons and some horse wisdom from people who know horses well.

This feels very good. Maria has pined for a horse since Rocky died and Chloe has been seeking her person. A kind of marriage, a kind of bond that is taking shape and is already quite evident. Maria is easy around Chloe, the two of them communicate well already, Chloe is like Maria in several respects, one is that when she needs attention, she lets you know. But Maria is clearly the leader, she has no trouble setting the agenda, and making sure Chloe follows.

Chloe loves to be groomed, Maria loves grooming animals. She brushes the donkeys twice a day.

We are hoping to have Chloe by May. First ride tomorrow.