Swayback

Frisky in the Front

During our first couple of weeks at ʻĀina Iki Ranch, Joshua and I slept in the main house with our generous benefactor, Val. She graciously offered us her bedroom while she cozied up in her art and writing room — a gesture we’ll never forget.

As much as we were eagerly awaiting Steady Betty’s arrival (and our beloved pull-out “mega-bed”), we cherished those early mornings. We’d wake to the soft silhouettes of the Cook Pines swaying in the breeze and our herd of goats — affectionately dubbed the “Biggies” — grazing nearby.

Every so often, we’d also catch a glimpse of our two horses, Ms. Ruby and Mr. Frisky, moving quietly through the pasture.

If you look closely in the photo above, you’ll notice Frisky has a bit of a sway to his back. He’s a senior gentleman now, and as horses age, the ligaments that support their spine can naturally weaken and stretch. Over time, gravity does its thing, and a dip — often called swayback — can appear.

While it might look uncomfortable, Frisky shows no signs of pain. True to his name, he remains spirited and bright, bringing joy and a little mischief to our days here at the ranch.