Routines

After a summer of grazing down the front pasture, the horses now spend a part of each morning in the upper pastures.  This requires us to walk them all up on halter... Moonie first, then the littles, and last the ponies.   If I am alone I do the process in three trips.  If Hubbs is with me, it takes just one trip.

If only you could witness the excitement displayed when they reach the pasture. 

 There is no doubt that the horses all feel an immense amount of joy upon reaching these pastures that are so rich in grass.

While the horses were busy working on their grassy breakfast, the donkeys were canvassing the front pasture.

Normally, when the donkeys are out front, I allow the pigs and sheep to join them.

As I opened the gate from the pig yard into the front pasture, the donkeys came running over. 

 It's been several months since this gate was available to the donkeys, and true to form, they scooted beneath the fence boards

 in a donkey version of The Limbo dance and headed up the hill through the pig yard...

 in search of greener pastures.

They were happy to find a little hay that the pigs had drug out of their house and spent the next hour cleaning that up.

Normally, grass is preferred over hay, but the hay was handy and required much less effort.  I could tell by the looks on their faces that they were quite pleased with themselves.

The sheep were aghast - cleaning up hay is usually their job!

By mid morning it was time to get everyone back to their proper yards.  A high-pitched call to the "donkey girls" as I call them, and the donkeys came running back out of the pig yard and quickly crossed the front pasture to their dry lot.

I walked up to the upper pastures where the horses were waiting to come back to the barn.  I walked Moonie back by himself...

then went back for the littles, and finally the ponies...

Donnie to the right of me...

his sister, Scarlet, on the left.

All of this shuffling around requires a bit of energy and commitment, but I love these moments.  I love the enthusiasm of my animals as they anticipate yummy breakfast.  

Animals are often much easier to deal with than people.  They are always honest and bear no malice, by nature.  After so many years of working with these animals, we have established routines that are easy.  I love the relationship that I have with my equines.  Most days they treat me like just one of the herd... with mutual respect.  They are true friends.