Hay, hay and more hay!! That's what this past week has been all about. Our first crop of the year looks great and the weather cooperated, so our hay guy did the first sutting last Friday. Then it has to dry in the field a few days, and then it gets baled. Next is our turn, probably the hardest step because it's mostly manual labor, no tractors to drive. That is putting away all the hay bales into the barns. Something like 2,000 bales! Unfortunately, the first of it started on SUNDAY, not Monday as planned. You see, Monday is when we had all of the help lined up!! Sunday, there was NOBODY here except Susan! She really hustled to get a few people to help out, and eventually Bill made it home from the horse show and even the kids helped when they got home. It took Bill until Wednesday to get the last put away, with some help. Everyone is dragging butt around here! But it's in and done for now.

Last week, we had some very threatening weather around here, high winds and tornado warnings. The winds were shaking the house and blowing the trees, but very little rain fell here at Saddlebrook. We were looking forward to a good night's sleep after midnight (when the tornado watch was to end) and just heard on the news that the tornado watch has been extended until 5 a.m.  Oh well - we really don't need that much sleep anyway :)  Just to be safe, we put Mason (new boarder Kimberly's horse) and Spice, Bandit and Matilda inside the barns tonight.  We didn't want them to get scared of the storm and run through a fence or something. They are all pastured individually and it just seems a lone horse spooks easier.  Plus, since hail was called for, Bandit and Matilda's shelters are smaller than the others and we want to make sure they are tucked inside.  More stalls to clean!

The mares and foals are now out on grass full time. They are pastured in the big west pasture on the side of our house. Boy, do they love it. We also just weaned  Sport and Chief. It's always rough at first being away from Mom, but they have each other and that goes a long way to help. 

Thanks,

S/B