Each spring our target date to start taking the horses out to pasture is June 1, although in practice this means we usually begin on Memorial Day weekend. Because of our climate, it takes longer for the grass to "green up" and grow to a respectable length before we can turn the horses out for grazing. We got a bit of a head-start today and took 16 of the horses out.
We have to introduce them gradually to pasture after a winter of eating hay, because too much of this rich spring grass too soon can make them sick. For right now, they will go out for a few hours at a time, and over the course of a couple of weeks their intervals on grass will get longer until they're out for the entire day.
I took these two photos this afternoon when Alayne and I went out to bring in the "three blind girls," as we call them. That's Destiny on the left, Nikki in the middle, and Lena on the right. (On the far right is blind Guadalupe.) We were at the gate to their pasture and they heard us calling to them, which is why their heads are up and they're looking in our direction. Destiny is, um, always a little "off."
And a minute later, here they come, headed straight for us. Destiny managed to re-set her gyroscope and got a course correction. It really helps to have two other horses to follow, you know?
(Click on photos for larger image.)
Spring chow time! These photos were made better after I read your explanation of them. It's amazing that the horses came your way after you called out to them. You know, the spell of the grass is strong and almost nothing can penetrate it; especially when it's the first of the season! snicker...snicker...
Posted by: Boundforglory | May 27, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Hi guys,
I love this time of year. I live in Potomac and I too use Memorial day as the right of passage from hay feeding to pasture. My horse Strider loves this time as the poor guy is limited to hay cubes during the winter months due to respirtory problems. It seems like last year the grass grew alot faster and higher. I remember Strider being belly deep in grass but this year it is just mid leg high. I hope we get more rain so everything stays nice and green. I was just looking at the weather and it says we might get to the 90's by mid week!
Chris and Strider (belly or knee deep just get me out there)
Posted by: Chris Benton | May 26, 2007 at 10:37 AM
What a beautiful landscape! I just want you folks to know that we all recognize how much work it is to do what you do, and still make time to regularly write; it is very appreciated!!!
Keep up your wonderful work.
Posted by: CrazyOldLady | May 25, 2007 at 08:13 AM