Monday, May 10, 2010

The grass was greener

After a looooong day in town (10-4:30) trying to get my laptop computer fixed- well not really fixed, but ready to send off for repairs (still under warranty), and picking up some groceries at the store, I finally got home around 6:30. I really wanted to ride but I knew they would protest because they were hungry so I did the next best horsey thing. I decided to hang with my herd and hand graze them. I try to do that as often as possible because 1. the grass is so lush right now, 2. it saves me hay (money), and 3. they love it! With four horses, the logistics of letting them all eat grass at the same time can be challenging. Last time I grazed them, I took them two at a time. But they were all so hungry that I decided to go all out and let all four graze at once. How, you ask?

Well, I haltered them all up and turned them out in the arena for a short run. They had been cooped up all day and night from the high winds we've been having and I wanted them to do a little running in the arena rather than outside of it. Then I put lead ropes on Annie, Yalla!, and Nadia. I opened the big gate at the far end of the arena and headed out leading the girls and Scout following. I knew Scout wouldn't go anywhere with the girls in hand. Nadia tends to wander back towards my house which is fine sometimes but I didn't want Scout running around with her so I wanted her restrained. I juggled the three lead ropes, taking care not to let Annie get tangled up. She freaks out when she steps on the lead rope. I'm happy to report that Yalla! doesn't take after her mom at all and even seemed to try to get tangled up in the ropes. Nadia is afraid of Annie so Yalla! worked really well as the middle horse. We wandered all over the yard looking for the choicest grasses while my good boy Scout stayed pretty much in the same general area he started in, near the arena gate. My neighbor was also grazing her horse and once or twice Scout looked over that way but I was happy to see that he was more interested in eating than socializing. I certainly don't want my loose horse causing any problems. The horses ate full an hour or so and then I put them up. They neighed like it was feeding time, silly horses, so I gave in and gave them some hay, silly me! Although I was disappointed that I didn't ride, I was certainly content to spend some time with them doing what they love best.







My neighbor and her horse in the distance. My horses and her horse are fence buddies but they've never met up on the same side of the fence before.


The grass was greener - If there is something, artist: Tin Machine, album Tin Machine

7 comments:

cdncowgirl said...

Your grass looks so lush and thick already!

Unknown said...

omnomnom spring grass. Ours have stopped eating most of their hay. They know that good grass is waiting out there for them to thin out.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Such a nice way to spend the afternoon.I remember doing that for hours with my first horse , and several others over the years

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Hay neighbor!
Horses make great lawnmowers, eh?

Great minds think alike. lol! I wish I had my camera to take some pics of you, too. I was impressed with how well you did with all of them. I would have walked over to visit, but I didn't want to get our horses too excited, just in case. And then Sheila came out and it got cold, so we headed back to the barn.


~Lisa

Unknown said...

Hand grazing is so relaxing. I want to bring a book and just hang out with them eating...

Dan and Betty said...

There is nothing more contented sounding than a horse eating hay or grass. Nice pictures.

Dan

Tammy Vasa said...

Scout is all shed out and looks gorgeous and shiney. The rest look great, too!