It's been a while since I have posted anything. Not intentional. It's been busy around here since the holidays and I've been working on divesting myself of some extra activities I became involved in over the past few years so I can have more time for my horses. Mind you, these activities were not bad, or negative, or detrimental to me in any way. They were good, positive activities. They simply infringed upon my time and the horses have received the end result of that infringement. I'm no longer interested in that being the status quo.
I love taking care of my herd. I truly do not mind getting up every workday and being out the door to the barn by 5:00 am. Rain or shine, hot or cold, feeding and caring for them is simply an honor and a privilege. I never mind, not ever. There is something very satisfying about meeting their needs, interfacing with them, spending a few minutes with my nose in someone's neck, in that spot right under the mane. Taking the time to run my hands over them, checking for any issues. I enjoy grooming them, even this time of year when a grooming session usually ends with me covered in more hair than them (particular thanks to Fina, aka The Grey Yak).
I feed three times a day: breakfast, dinner, and just hay before bed. They know the routine for breakfast and dinner: concentrate feed first, then the hay. Sabi first, then Aramis, then Fina and Jessie. Fina gets beet pulp with her concentrate and the whole thing is served wet. One episode of choke with her is enough for me, thanks. Sabi gets a token amount of concentrate, and Aramis gets a moderate amount. Jessie gets no concentrate. Doesn't need it. Have you seen her? Lives off air, that horse. The concentrate is Seminole Senior Wellness and that stuff smells divine. They get plenty of hay, and when the grass is in there is grazing in designated areas.
The last feeding of the day is before bedtime. Mine, that is. The before-bed haying gives me the chance to make sure everyone is fine and provides me with peace of mind. Besides, stretching feedings out over multiple smaller servings is just better equine management. In cold weather, it's the opportunity to blanket Fina and provide extra hay as well as drip faucets and secure Maximus Kittimus the outdoor cat in the barn for the night.
And then it's time to do it all again the next day.
