Working
Bored
Darcy looks beautiful
You’re so lucky
I glance at the stream of comments that come in.
When I see the name Liam Storm scroll through my feed, I freeze.
I look back over my shoulder.
Liam’s facing me, and he throws up his hand in a wave.
Even though we were just chatting minutes ago and I knew he’d be here for my video, I’m suddenly frazzled.
I catch my breath in relief when I see Ashley’s connected with me and her video is now streaming too.
“Hey, Ash!” I say.
“Hey, Haley! How’s Texas ranch life?” She smiles into the camera like she’s the most relaxed person in the world.
And I exhale.
Ashley is a natural at these videos. She is insistent that I am, but it’s really her. I’m good at being casual at things like going off script and reeling people in with silly actions or comments, but Ashley can drive home the points we want to make far better than I can.
“Wild Ranch in Texas is amazing,” I tell her and the audience. “We’re about to go visit with some of the cowboys here who were some of the first supporters of the Circle PR Foundation for rescuing abused and abandoned horses. These cowboys drove all the way up to Montana with a couple of abandoned horses to help Mia Wild and all of us get started with Mia’s dream to save and rehabilitate as many horses as possible.”
As I reach the horse pasture, Ashley picks up where I left off.
“Did you know that many racehorses are put down or sent to the slaughterhouse when they can’t compete anymore? We’re here to try to change that.”
While she continues to fill in the audience with more information on the issue facing racehorses, I pan the camera around the ranch.
Luke Wild up in Montana waves to the camera. His twin brothers, Chase and Cooper, tip their hats, and down here in Texas, Blake and Reid get into a playful wrestling match over the feed tray they’re carrying over to the fence.
Unsurprisingly, heart and fire emojis flood the comments.
Love seeing a hard-working cowboy
Hot cowboys. You ladies are lucky!
This is the best part of my day so far – thanks!
I know how the algorithms work on social. Engagement is key.
And while handsome cowboys are a hit, viewers will turn away if we don’t up our game.
Leaving the iPad on the fence railing, I head over to Reid and Blake. “Do you cowboys want to point me in the direction of your gentlest horse? One that doesn’t mind being patted?”
Reid shoves Blake behind him. “I’m happy to help, Haley. This gelding over here is super friendly.”
Reid puts his arm around me and guides me away from Blake.
As we walk across the field together, back in the direction of the camera, Reid whispers in my ear, “Are you single?”
I can’t help but laugh. “You don’t hesitate to shoot your shot, do you?” I say to him.
