I’m interrupting my Sunday afternoon nap to answer all these texts and phone calls I’ve recently been getting since the news of a new guest at the ranch was announced. For those of you who have not been on the Mercy Spring Ranch Facebook Page in the past twenty-four hours, we have a new gelding at the ranch for a 30-day trial period. His current name is Al, and he is already making a big impression on staff and visitors to the ranch.
There are pictures of Al on the MSR Facebook Page, so I won’t place any on this posting (I wouldn’t want any new person reading my blog to confuse Al with yours truly). If you read the MSR Facebook post, you will see that Al considers me to be “the greatest neighbor he has ever known.” The horse has good discernment, I must say. Al grew up reading my blog, and considers himself to be a fan boy of the Mighty Gims.
Folks have already asked me if Al will be joining my band. Al is quite the screamer. While I am a master of all music genres, I tend not to play very much heavy metal music. Al’s weight also would dominate any future album covers and photo shoots. I think that it would be best for Al to remain a fan, rather than a singer in the band.
Al has been in for a shock since he first arrived. He is used to hanging out in a pasture all day and eating to his heart’s content. Alas, rations are rather tight here at the ranch. He almost found my secret, hidden stash of horse cookies when he walked past my paddock. I distracted him with some old hay on the ground, and he quickly forgot about the cookies.
I will work with Al to see if he is worthy of interacting with the children. I have instructed Miss Mo to take him through his paces, and work according to a training schedule which I have designed just for him. No horse gets to spend time with the children until they get the Gimli Seal of Approval. He will also need to pass a thorough medical exam by a vet of my choosing.
I am hoping that Al will work out. I have been missing Mr. Connor these past few months. Having a new friend on the ranch will go a long way in improving my daily attitude. Al could also ease my workload during sessions with the children, which will give me more time for recording sessions and international photo shoots.
I will keep you all posted on Al’s progress and future at the ranch.
Happy Trails,
Gimli February 1, 2026