Seventy-seven degrees, green grass, daffodils, retired horses escaping their pastures and cantering across the lawn. Ah, the classic signs of spring! This time the culprit is Ray Ray, who swam through the pond in order to get loose. Unclear exactly where he thought he was going; he ended up just hanging out with J.J. on the other side of the barn. But the breakout riled everyone up: four senior-citizen horses and one little black pony scampering around and sweating under their winter fur. Ariel (who’s taken fabulous care of these guys all winter) corraled them all and bathed them. Then she and I hand-grazed them in the sun and gave them all a good currying. And they all seem to be feeling very pleased indeed with the day.
Unfortunately for Ray Ray’s pasture mates, Otter and Grappa, who love the lush grass beside the pond, the three of them will now have to move to a different pasture. But soon all the grass will explode into that mad springtime growth that the mower can barely keep up with, and the boys will be happy anywhere on the farm. Despite the winter-bare trees, it feels like we’re back at just the right time. And it’s especially good to see my boy Grappa, at age twenty-eight, looking so fit and happy.
The one and only Grappa: not so bad for age 28!
Still his bright-eyed self, transfixed by the deer on the hill.
