Old Ralph is gone.  He died New Years Eve at the age of 31.  Ralph was my first Fjord and probably my best.  I bought him when he was nine years old from Anne Cabot in the state of New York.

Ralph was from very old bloodlines.  His father was Oyarblakken 114-A.  His grandfather was Sanko N 1522.  His mother was Stjerna N 12099 and his mother's father was Gardbu N 1514.  The Cabots imported Ralph's dam from Norway.

Ralph was my number one work companion for 14 years (this horse had a huge heart; he would try anything you asked him to).  His very first job at my new farm was to skid the logs for our house.  He did all kinds of farm work over the years, but his best job was breaking in the young horses.  He was just as kind and gentle with children.  We used to call him "Uncle Ralph".

I showed Ralph at the Woodstock Show for many years.  Our favourite classes were the log skid and the cones course.  From Woodstock we came home with many championships in both single and pair classes.

I retired Ralph at the age of 23.  For the last eight years he lived with a friend of ours doing light farm work, bringing in firewood and giving buggy rides to anyone who was interested.  Most of his time was spent in the pasture with a friend.

Ralph certainly touched a lot of hearts in his lifetime.  He was a true family horse.  We'll miss you Ralph.