Filed under: August 2011 | Tags: Draft Horse foal, farm babies, filly, Grace, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch draft horse, Suffolk Punch horses
April 24, 2021
Our new filly was born yesterday! Her name is Riceland Meadows Amazing Grace. She is a leggy one, but very strong.
I imprinted her and talked to her. Today, her and mom were mostly just left alone to bond and enjoy the sunshine.
They had an outside picnic while we watched from the fence.
My grandma Rice was named Grace. She was a strong woman with a big heart. It is my hope that this filly exhibits those same traits. Enjoy the photos for now and stay tuned for updates. I’m overloaded with thankfulness for this potential broodmare. She is not related to our stallion prospect Hank. It is one more important step in helping to promote and preserve this rare and endangered breed. I think gramma would be proud to have her share her name.
Filed under: April 2020 | Tags: farm babies, foals, Lambs, pandemic, social distancing, Suffolk draft horses
April 8, 2020
This pandemic is unlike anything I have ever lived through. I am cautiously optimistic about it being less of a threat soon. I, like many, can’t wait to hug my family again! Let’s all do our part so that when we can all gather again…all of us will be there.
The horses and I continue their lessons. They are doing very well, just learning the routine here and I am learning their quirks and dislikes. We are bonding now. This feels very good. They have accepted me as the “leader” and like to be petted and fussed over.
They are doing so well, I feel humbled by their willingness to please. Abby’s due date is coming fast. It is tentatively April 15th. That date is an estimate. Foals come when they are ready. I am keeping Abby comfortable. She gets a big roomy stall at night and a nice slow walk every day.
Spending time with the animals, especially the horses, keeps me somewhat satisfied during the long days with no family. Sure we talk on the phone, wave from the windows and even “Facetime” with some, but nothing beats loving on them. This too shall pass!
Spring is making her presence known. The warm sun and green grass is wonderful. Families are getting out and enjoying nature. That is a wonderful thing. The horses and I are liking the warmer weather. The work year is about to bust open, but for now we will idle our time, wait patiently on the foal and watch the lambs play in the sheep pasture. This is social distancing the Farm way!
Filed under: April 2017 | Tags: family time, farm babies, Grandparents, life, Love, newborn babies
April 7, 2017
On April fourth, we welcomed our newest granddaughter. She is a spirited filly, of good stock and well bred. Her lineage goes back all the way to Scotland, Wales and Ireland on the grandsire’s side. On the dam’s side she traces back to England and eastern Europe. She is a beauty and a joy to hold!
We have many farm babies at the moment. Spring on a farm is a wonderful thing. New babies, any time of year, in any household are a blessing. I tell you true, we sure are counting ours! Farm work has paused. The weather makes us all wait. This little one came as we stood waiting on the rain. She chose to come when there was no field work to be done…no matter, we wouldn’t have missed her arrival for anything!
Filed under: September 2015 | Tags: farm babies, field cultivation, Hay, horse feed, Spelt, speltz, straw
One of Two fields
September 24, 2015
After three marathon days of farm work, my speltz crop is in the ground. I worked until after dark the last three days, but it was worth it. These fields represent next year’s horse grain. It will last me for an entire year providing we get a decent crop. I have done my job, so now I patiently wait 😮
I plowed these fields last week. This week I spent lots of time harrowing them smooth. A hay crop is planted with the speltz. The speltz will nurse the growing hay. Once the grain has been harvested and the straw all baled, the hay will flourish. Harvesting hay a year later from these fields will be very nice on the smooth ground. Keep in mind, two winters will cover the hayfields with snow, helping to flatten everything out too.
I can now wash, lubricate and store my grain drill and the tillage tools. Only my horse plow will be kept near the front of the shed. The horses and I will be doing some fall plowing in a few weeks, but for now I will busy myself with putting things away for …winter (gulp)
It is looking like a maternity ward around here too. Sows and cows are heavy with young. Very soon farm babies will be born. It is always an exciting time. The best part of farming for me is seeing the new babies. I simply never get tired of looking at them. They are so dang cute. They don’t become a pain in the backside for a few months, so watching them and laughing while they are babies makes it all worth it!
RicelandMeadows 