We’re getting ready to plant the north field with hay. It’s the field that our neighbor up the road usually leases from us to plant corn or soy beans. With the shortage of hay around here recently we’ve decided to use the field ourselves. They are doing the soil test tomorrow and then we should be getting the seed later in the week. It will be about 1/3 alfalfa, 1/3 timothy, and 1/3 brome. We will have to hand mix the hay seed before planting. That should be interesting!

Bill has been working with Phoebe a little each day. She is probably about halfway to where we need her to be for the Midwest Horse Fair, so that’s good. A little more each day and she’ll be ready. She will lead toward Cookie OK, but it’s harder getting her to lead away from Mom. Phoebe also is a little slippery in the stall when you first go to get her; once you lead her she’s fine. Romeo is quite the opposite of Phoebe; he’s so friendly and curious that sometimes you have to shoo him away if you are trying to do something with Frosty or clean their stall.

Matilda and Penny are new BarnBuddies. This seems to be going really well since Matilda is totally intimidated by Penny’s stature, age and dominance, so there is no question whatsoever about who is in charge – that makes for good partners! 

We hope you all get a chance to meet our big Beltie boy Reverse some day. He is something else. He’s gotten nearly as big as his mom Delight; from far away it’s sometimes hard to tell them apart. His enthusiasm and friendliness has grown right along with him. Reverse can often be seen bolting towards you when you stop at the fence, and he sure looks menacing as he races up to you. But when he comes to a halt and then reaches out his head to lick your hand, you know he was just excited to greet you!