The air is cold... a moist cold that penetrates your clothes.
The sky is grey... thick, moisture-laden clouds loom.
There's barely a sound.
A few bird chirps break the silence.
It's the calm before the storm.
Thus was our first day of spring.
Yesterday's big event was an early morning visit from the farrier.
He comes every 8 weeks and trims 7 sets of hooves.
While he works on feet,
I work on manes and tails... brushing, brushing, brushing.
I've always wondered what causes horses to shed their winter coats.
Is it the rising temperatures?
Is it the length of day?
I came to the conclusion that it must be the length of day...
because it has not warmed up yet, but the horses are shedding like crazy!
A little research showed that indeed that is the cause.
The horse's pituitary gland recognizes
the lengthening day and produces a hormone that causes shedding.
After the horses were finished, we moved out to the donkeys.
The donkeys get trimmed in their dry lot.
They stand perfectly still and allow the farrier to work.
You might notice that whichever one is not being trimmed
is very helpful (nosey)!
Comments
That's fascinating about the shedding. Never thought of that.
Enjoy your peaceful day!
Love readng about your farm...thank you for taking the time to write and take photos. Hope hubs is doing well. Lisa G in TN
Kaye
Park City, UT
Sweet animals, well mannered . . . it seems to me . . .
blessings,
Penny