Hay Is For Horses!

Good Monday, friends!  What a beautiful weekend it was here on the farm - extremely cold, but beautiful. 

 Friday brought a fresh coat of snow. 

 In fact, it snowed most of Friday, but the snow was very light and fluffy and only added a couple inches to what was already on the ground.  

We've had a week of arctic cold weather here - as I'm sure most of you have also had... even our southern friends!

According to the weatherman, our cold is coming to a close this week with temperatures heading back into the 40's and 50's with rain. 

 I am so glad that we had a quiet weekend to just enjoy the snow, as I am sure it will be leaving us quickly.  Then, back to mud we go!

Even in the coldest weather, while the ground is frozen,  I still have a knack for getting our gator stuck in the muck at the manure piles.

Thank goodness for Hubbs, who graciously pulls me out each time.

With all of the snow on the ground, the horses have not been able to graze on grass.  Even though their meals consist of hay, they still get an opportunity to run and explore the snowy front pasture.

Each time I spread hay for the horses, Forrest thinks that some of it is for him as well.

He's the only dog I have every seen that eats hay.

"Hey Forrest!  Hay is for horses!"

Oh, that's right... and donkeys too!

"Where are the donkeys?" you wonder.  Donkeys have no need for such silliness as running around in the snow.  So, even though the gate is open allowing them access to the pasture, they stay inside the dry lot where the snow has been adequately packed down by everyone's hooves.

You may have also noticed that the ponies are missing from our horse photos.  Don't worry.... the ponies still live here on the farm, but presently they are providing companionship for my sister-in-law's horse.  They are just over the fence when everyone is in the upper pastures for grazing time.  And if truth be told, the ponies are relieved to be seeing far less of Forrest.  They emphatically refused to join the Forrest Fan Club. 

With all of the snow on the ground, Miss Ginger stays inside her stall most days.  She ventures out to the treat box when she hears the gator coming, but has no interest in the front pasture.  I am sure we will see her back out there after the coming rains melt the snow!

Our daily woods walks continued in spite of the arctic weather.  Although, on the coldest of days, Forrest was the only one of the dogs to hike with us.  There's no doubt that winter is his favorite time of year. 

 

He romps and romps, snowplowing through woods with his nose to the ground.  It's amazing to see all of the tracks he has made through the snow as we hike through the woods.  I don't believe there is a single square yard without dog tracks running through.  

 It's also interesting to see the tracks of the other creatures that travel through our woods.  Second to dog tracks are deer tracks.

We also kept seeing these tracks that looked like little claw marks in the snow, and then realized that they were made by the wing feathers of birds as they hop across the snow-covered ground.

Yesterday, for the first time in a while, there was warmth to the noon-time sun.  I laid down on my back to soak in some of the warmth and was immediately pounced upon by this guy!

So much for a peaceful moment in the sun!

If only we could bottle the energy of this happy boy... there's be enough to fuel a city!  Not to mention raising everyone's spirits. 

 It's hard to feel anything but happy when you are in the company of someone so enthusiastic about life!

As for me... between walks and chores, this weekend was perfect for catching up on some reading and finishing my current free-hand embroidery project.  With the lower flounce of the dress, finished, I added a small bouquet to the bottom of each of the sleeves.