spring pastures

After Winter, most everything outdoors needs tending. Including Spring pastures. We were catapulted into Spring, now everything needs to be done ASAP! Impossible. Instead, we chip away at an endless to-do list and get done what we can. The rest waits for our attention.

Safety comes first. Brad removed a broken pasture fence wire, before someone got tangled up in it. Hope wasn't sure what to think. Silly girl. Note; she is still shedding out. 

Video's were taken from our deck. Sound up if you want to hear our aviary.

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overdue horse post

I haven't posted about our horses (at home) since last Spring, whoops!! I just hit delete to no less then three crafted paragraphs, after a week or more of trying to find the right words. Instead, I am sharing an update in pictures of late Summer into Fall:

a rafter of six turkeys

Nemo's turn to stand guard

heading to their favorite corner

finished fence & path

Fall trees glow

horses hanging out in the upper pasture
during hunting season

our October early winter was beeeautiful

We are still waiting for more snow. I am hoping to find words to share before the end of the year. Just incase they don't flow, have a wonderful close to your 2019!!

Grazing out the Storm

After the hard wind and rain this morning, our horses decided to head out. It was still raining while they were "Grazing out the Storm" A white deer nibbled on the brush, turkey crossed the field and so did a lone coyote. Nothing seemed to faze them, not even the crack of a lightning bolt...

dreams are hard work

I dream of lush pastures, with a rolling hill, surrounded by tall stoic trees. Seeing our horses grazing in the not so far distance, with birds chirping, surround sound. 

We move our horses today. By the time you read this, they will be here.

Unlike dreams, reality isn’t perfect. Our pastures are not lush. Brad just replanted them, a third time.

weeds grow better then grass

We have no walk-in shelter for the horses, and Brad is working on the outdoor waterer as I type.

Dreams are made from hard work, and patience. Just a few weeks ago, Brad & our son pounded 72 fence posts into the ground. Thank goodness for the rented postmaster! The monotonous pounding was sooo loud, it echoed throughout our valley.  

Weeks prior, Brad built & put in sturdy corners to form our three pastures. Needless to say any additional progress to our new home has come to a screeching halt. We are living in it as is. People don't seem to understand why we aren't "all settled in"...I can't understand, why they don't understand, that starting from scratch is a HUGE undertaking!

In Spring of 2016, we purchased our land and our vision started to become a reality. I've spent a fair amount of time documenting & photographing the changes over the years. I never want to forget where we started, and because I will never ever, ever (ever, ever) do this again. Ever. Just like Mrs. Shoes, they will have to carry me away from our land.

We picked up our deep roots and moved them, for the love of our horses. This land, the endless move, it's all for them, to be able to live with us. I truly hope our horses will adjust, and love it here as much as we do. It is so quiet & peaceful.

view from our house deck

Life hasn’t been easy lately. Nothing worth doing is. The past few months or so have been more like hell. We moved exactly how I didn’t want to move, without things being completed. But I gave in, and don't regret it. Sometimes you have to leap, in order to be able to get to where you are going, and have patience. This challenging time, will someday be a memory.

I look forward to getting back to enjoying life, and living this thing we call "our dream". Maybe someday, even with lush pastures!?!!

pasture dreams

After we sold first crop alfalfa, Brad promptly tilled & seeded the horse's future pasture. We planted a custom seed mix, with no Timothy Grass. Nemo is allergic to it. 

Every time we are on our land, I look out towards what will be the pasture and try to imagine what it will be like...to look out the window and see our horses. Every day. To take care of them. Every day. I miss that. We long for it. It is our dream. 

You have no idea (or maybe you do) what a dream come true being together will be...you know, when our horses are in the land photos. It's been so looong awaited.

view of pastures from our house-to-be

We plan to have two pastures, so we can rotate. Two acres each. Below is what we've discussed to date for the pastures. Same photo with yellow designation added. 

(L-R) The arrow shows the recently planted pasture running north-south. The dotted line shows approximately where the dividing fencing will be. We plan to have a bordering path between the pasture & the rest of the alfalfa field, for access from the barn to our trails. 

The debate is ongoing as to where the auto-waterer & (south facing) shelter will be. On the near edge, in the middle where the two pastures meet ? or closer to the barn is always ideal ? Either way, it will be a duo-purpose shelter/water with swinging gates for access to either pasture. 

What a predicament, how to best access the lower pasture?! One of my pet-peeves is "run in alley's". I will NEVER have one (said with heels firmly dug in). No offense to anyone who has one, they just don't work for me. We have yet to decide which shelter/water placement is the worst of two evils. 

What to do? what to do? In the meantime, I'll just keep dreaming...

smell the pines

The past few weeks have been so busy, we haven't had time to work on our land. We did take a nice hike in the woods, and then walked the sunny loop.

The wooded paths do not connect, yet. We had to do some bush whacking & branch diving between the trails. It doesn't seem like we have that much left to clear, but in reality it will take much longer then appears. 

It is so interesting to see how the forest (and land) in general changes week to week... 

The spooky tree arms, 'er branches almost got Brad!!

Can't wait to ride the "spooky tree" trail we began creating,
with a little help from our deer friends.

Once we were out of the woods, the wildflowers that were spotty and struggling for light, stood out in bright patches along the edges of the loop...

I really like these bright orange & yellow flowers

Who knew spiderwort was a native wildflower? 

A sea of yellow

Yesterday after a very warm indoor ride at the barn, we hauled our mower for some long overdue mowing. You could hardly tell we had storms and a much needed dump of rain the night before, but you could sure smell it...mmmm...we took deep inhales...and longer exhales...instant smell of pines, from across the field...wow!!!

I've smelled pines many times before, even during rain, but never like that - it was soooo fresh! I don't know what it is about this property, but it's so quiet and serene...and offers instant relaxation.

Eventually we got to work. If that's what you want to call it.

Brad mowing the field island we cleaned up a while ago

Puttering along mowing one of the existing trails,
while my guy clears fallen wood ahead of me

 Brad blazed a trail through the grassy area,
until he got to the hill

 left or right?
left trail: towards the fields
right trail: further into the woods

Speaking of fields, second crop of alfalfa is done and the pasture grass we planted is looking good! So are the weeds, but those should be gone soon. 

pasture

We took one more looong look around...sigh...we already can't wait to call this home! Better get cracking on those house plans!! This land was such a unique find, don't know how we got so lucky?! I believe it was one of those things that was meant to be. If your a believer, you know what I mean...we are so grateful.

Before we left, we drove over to the area where the wild cactus grows more prevalent - they are just starting to bloom!!

first things first

Saturday morning found us eager to keep working on our first priority, the fields. We have four with alfalfa, and one that had corn on it last season. First things first, re-discing the unplanted field and getting it ready for pasture seed. We talked with some folks at Midwest Horse Fair about what type of seed was best for this soil. It's light and sandy. Where we live now we have the exact opposite, heavy clay soil. We picked the recommended pasture seed up from a local vendor earlier in the week. Keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed it grows well!! 

While the guys were working on that, our daughter and I picked up junk on the adjoining grassy wooded area. We found chunks of broken glass, rusty metal parts, and plastic pieces of discarded trash. I was so surprised when she dug this little unbroken treasure out of the ground:

 Two of us think it's a pot belly pig

Two of us think it's a turtle

 What do you think it is?

We removed an old useless fence, then our daughter had the fun job of pulling the posts out. 

kids have all the fun

One post was left standing. The attached house is occupied by a beautiful nesting blue bird! It's amazing what a difference a little clean up can make. 

Neighbors stopped by, one after the other. Some on foot, others on four wheelers and some while driving by. Guess we are the new kids on the block! Friendly folks, everyone is very welcoming. 

The previous owner harvested wood from the strips in between the long rectangle alfalfa fields. Whatever the machine is called they use, left behind an ugly wake of destruction. What a mess!! We started the daunting task of getting tree branches out of the alfalfa fields, and making huge piles of left over scrap wood. I cleared the fields on foot & Brad made wood piles along the strips. 

At one point I spotted a turkey, who never took his eyes off me. It kept pacing back and forth between the same area, circling towards me and then retreating. No doubt roosting. I kept my distance, there were no other human in sight. Turkeys can be mean. The only other wildlife I saw besides birds, was a couple rabbits. I have seen pictures of white deer that cross the property, hopefully I'll get to see them in person some day!

In another area of the field, Brad accidentally came across some eggs. It was too late to save one. With my gloves on, I scooped up the remaining intact egg and a cushion of dirt and moved it nearby to safety. It probably won't be found and survive, but we tried.

I assume this is a turkey egg,
it was big and heavy, about 4" long

We originally thought we would build on the edge of the pasture we seeded, by the grassy area that adjoins the pine forest. It has a pretty overlooking view, but is very visible. After spending some time on the land, we think the opposite end of the property might be a better spot for us.

Below is a short video of me standing in the field in the middle of the property, on an incline to the left of the bobcat pictured above. The structures are a small hunting shack roof on our land, and a metal barn that belongs to neighbors.

Decisions, decisions...we have many options on where to locate what. They all come with pro's and con's, and are contingent on each other. Our barn plans were drawn up long before we closed on the property, the house plans are not even remotely close. I am so glad we have time to figure things out, we need it. 

sunshine & butterflies ~ part two

The sun was still shining after that wonderful first outdoor arena ride, and butterflies - well, they resurfaced, but in a different way.

I turned Koda out into the pasture, and went to get my camera. Nemo and Koda meandered around the entrance, waiting for Brad to be done with Cierra. Until this past week, our little herd had not been together since Koda got injured. Nemo had been paired with one or the other, and a couple different horses have been in & out of the mix for company. However, Koda & Cierra were kept separate. There is nothing that girl loves more then to run & run & run & play, and it's so much more fun when someone joins her! Consequently our horses would get turned out in adjoining pastures, yet chose to stand together. Even if, with a fence of separation. Our horses are so happy to be pastured together again! 

Cierra joined the boys, and walked off together with Nemo to the far end of the pasture. No horse antics to be seen this day, at least not of the racing kind. Koda stuck around me. Walked over, tried to eat my camera, nudged it off-balance, gave me another horsey hug, and in general got way too close for pictures. Silly boy! I could have gotten some great nose or eyeball shots, but I had my longer lens.

Nemo came back for Koda, but he didn't want to leave. Another visiter came too close for the camera in hand, this time it was the big lovable guy...

Cierra wondered, what was all the fuss about...

It wasn't long before she had to see what I was doing as well, and stopped by for some love. Such a sweet girl! Nemo & Cierra eventually walked off together again. Koda spotted Brad making his way over to the pasture, and greeted him at the gate. Koda got his fair share of attention, then Brad called out to Nemo. After not being Brad's chosen mount, in the usual fashion, Nemo chose not to listen. He really cares, and doesn't like sharing his human. Instead, he tolerates it. We have had numerous people comment on Nemo's obvious behavior, where in the end - he pouts.

Needless to say, Brad made the trek across the pasture to see him...

...but it wasn't long before Nemo had to share, again...

...eventually Brad started back, and so did his horses. Nemo made me laugh out loud. He is so expressive, and told Cierra "stay on your own damn side" !!! 

I could see it all unfold from afar, and called out to Brad. So, he had a little chat with them about sharing. He loves them both, immensely. Doesn't everyone have talks with their horses?

They all walked back together, peacefully. Who needs halters to gather horses, when you are a horse whisperer.

And this my friends is what makes my heart sing, possibly even more then riding. Watching the human horse connection at liberty, specifically my human and horses. I could spend hours watching all things horse in the pasture. It is so telling. 

To others these may just be boring pictures of people and horses walking in the pastures, but it is so much more then that. It is a slice of time in a cherished lifestyle, captured for those with heart and understanding. Not for everyone, but it is everything to us. 

I love documenting interactions. I don't get to do enough of it. Sure, fast action shots are a thrill a minute and much easier to be found. I truly enjoy those too! But the subtle interactions, they say it all. With out words. With out being told how to stand, or smile. With out some grandiose event. It is real life, at it's best.

At the other end of the pasture, this face stuck close-by. No doubt hoping dinner would come early. The face of comical kindness, and trial. He tests me, he tests everybody. He is my teacher. 

What am I going to do with that face? Love, listen and learn.

pasture time ~ 5 of 5

After seeing all horses playing together in the pasture, and each of Cierra, Nemo, and Koda's featured posts, this series closes out with a few quieter pasture times.

feels sooo good to be back together

unspoken words exchanged

what is THAT on your head?

visiting with neighbors

I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine

pasture time together is the best

I hope you've enjoyed viewing the photos as much as I've enjoyed taking and sharing them! Shooting pics of our horses in the pasture after we ride on the weekends has become an enjoyable part of our summer routine. 

Pausing, to soak in, what we so fortunately have as a special part of our lives... 

In other words, I've got more pictures to share! However I've got other things to talk about first, before those memories start fading. I will continue to intermittently post some collective pasture photos of our horses, while I've got 'em. How's that for incentive to blog? It's working for me! Go on, give it a try. Capture some memories, and let us share in your joy.

pasture time ~ 4 of 5

It's time to share some photos of Koda in the pasture! Action photos of him can be seen in post one, with all the horses playing. Because, well...while Koda can bust-a-move, it's a lot of effort and being the horse that he is, he favors other more relaxing pasture pleasures, namely grazing. Therefore he is the easiest horse to photograph, and is quite photogenic. Koda is also our goofball, a friendly lovable guy, that has kept us smiling throughout the years! 

lovvves to bury his face

enjoying a good roll on a hot day

always a curious guy

While exploring the swampy pasture area with me, he paused.
It literally made me say "oh, wow" out loud.
The picture doesn't do it justice, some things you just can't capture.
In part, this visit was a turning point back to togetherness...

watcha doing?