It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the departure of Jack for the Happy Hunting grounds, April 14, 2008 .

Jack was a great Belgian horse. He was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his brain and one eye was taken out to let the tumour grow out of the socket. He was given one and a half year to live but no one had consulted Jack on this timing! .

Jack was a prince of a horse who came to us four and one half years ago. He was supposed to take care of a motherless filly named Breeze. After three days of babysitting, Jack opened the gate to the other horses, so that they could get a close up look of Breeze. This is when we discovered that Jack was a Houdini in disguise and could open any gates he wanted! .

Jack was our mascot. One could see him in front or back of the house "mowing" our lawn. He was even forgotten a couple of nights and the next morning, our first glimpse out was on a huge horse peacefully grazing or ..on a pile of manure, letting us know that Jack was not in the paddock. .

Jack was our Alpha horse until about three months ago when the cancer started spreading with a vengeance, despite all our efforts to control it. As his pain grew, Jack slowly removed himself from the leadership of the herd. Jack's last days were spent seeing spring coming and enjoying his eight pounds of grain and carrots. .

We already miss our gentle giant but knowing that Jack is finally out of pain eases our sorrow a little bit. .

Time heals as well as good memories and, we have so many good memories. .

Goodbye, Jack. Until we meet again. .

If February newsletter was late, March is a little early. This is due to a reshuffling of the pasture horses so that we will be able to send them to their respective pasture more effectively. This how it will work:

ALPHAS . Pond Paddock . Cody A, Junte, Dusty, Lance, Whisper Vail Dove.s Nest . Nadua, Camelara, Romera, Robbie, Grandmere, Charlie, Moonshine.

OMEGAS . Eagle.s Nest . Raven, Longshot, Storm, Lady Godiva, Rosie, Moxie.

Sand Paddock . Two Socks, Topaze, Perry, Zane, Anjel, Danver, Regal .

Stall Horses . Ashtar, Cody S, Beau . Morrison, Ebony, Sir Galahad.

As you can see, we will have an even flow that way and we are certain that the horses will adjust like they usually do.

March is also the month for the spring shots (4 ways and West Nile). If you are not a client of Dr. Fitch or Dr. Downey and his group, please arrange for your vet to come and give your horse his own shots.

As a side note on Tuesday the 11th of march, Morrison decided to test the water and took a swim in the pond. He came back smelling of Eau de Pond # 5 but very happy with himself. Not to be outdone, Moonshine took an instant dislike to a coyote who happened to be in HIS field, chased him, ears pinned back, and gave him a bite on one leg. The coyote left his pride and disappeared in the marsh limping.

On this note have a great month and beware of the Ides of March!

Colin, Helene and Kelley.