The amazing changes in recent weather are letting us get out driving again! Upper 60s yesterday and today are so nice to be outside in. The wind is a bit strong so they are “looky” but not too silly. Just walking to start getting them fit. Doing 4 miles, which gets us the pep step heading home AND past the farm gate, so is not rewarded with stopping! Ha ha They are quite disappointed with not stopping, but accept it and give us some more pep step when we turn around to head back. Changed back to the lime safety vests for visibility now that snow is gone. I wear orange against snow for better contrast. Lime is great except in fog and snow, though reflective stripes work well when lights hit them. But not everyone drives with their lights on all the time.
Lots of hair, don’t want to sweat them up too much, takes a while to dry when we finish. Starting to shed on some of them, but just a little despite all the sunshine we are enjoying. Muddy paddocks make baths kind of useless yet. They are all laying down to take naps, come in wearing body armor! Both ends of the barn are wide open for grooming so the wind blows the clouds of dust outside. Kind of hacked a couple bridle paths with scissors. It would be a waste of clipper blades trying to clip while so dirty. Bridles did fit better with the trim!
Have to dig out the leather reins. The Web reins catch in every breeze, pulling on reins and horses steer funny! Tails are getting longer for summer, but those forelocks are in desperate need of shortening. Way past their eyes, have to be pulled aside when bridled.
Made a couple wedge seat covers for in the barn. Should keep the cat off and no bird droppings while parked. I put them on when finished but husband did not notice until the next morning. Told him he is too focused on straight ahead. The covers are pretty bright, so at first he thought the sun was intense, lighting up that side thru the light panels. Nope, it was the golden yellow of the seat cover! Ha ha I may make another for the single horse carriage when we get it out to use. Good thing brown paper bags are easy to get for drawing patterns, each wedge sear is a different size.
I am not washing blankets for awhile, cold may come back to visit. Husband is considering putting rain covers on the driving horses to save grooming time. Good thing I have a full roll of Gorilla Tape for repairs!
Ground is still very soft. Last night’s rain might have taken some of the ground ice away, but there is still snow in the shady areas and on the east side of ditches. Many birds are back, songs are nice after winter silences. Seeing a bit of green on the fields, Daffodils are up to 4inches in 2 days! Have to get the leaves off the flower beds quickly! Kind of amazing how many leaves I get doing that. Fills the good size manure spreader several times! Leaves make good organic matter for the hayfields. Husband is sure Spring is here to stay, so he took off the tractor chains!!
