Hay deliveries

The holidays are over, and the locals need money, so hay deliveries have begun again.

Today, four carts of hay were delivered, a pair in the morning and another in the afternoon. It was a bitter day to work outside, though the hay barns were sheltered from the cutting breeze. The horses were well rugged as soon as they stopped at the barn, even though they weren't sweated up. I was glad to get back inside the house after supervising the icy unloading, admittedly not least because Danielle was baking.

The draught horses included a beautiful gelding with a great white blaze and a flaxen mane and tail. I'm sure that some Haflinger influence is coming out there.

The main barn having two entrances, a cart was backed into each. In total, we unloaded about three tons of hay. At this time of year, the herd will eat all this hay in ten days or so. To get through one single winter month, we need three such deliveries, or twelve well loaded carts.

As usual amongst the people around here, the drivers expressed surprise that my horses are all kept outside. Admittedly, my work horses are stabled when they are working, as they can return damp with sweat. It's a whole lot healthier to leave horses outside whenever possible. Perhaps the local people somehow, deep inside their consciousness, still feel the need to defend their homes and livestock? Many farmsteads are laid out in ways that suggest fortification. The stable may be under the same roof as the house. Or house and stable may be contained within a stout wall. There are always dogs on guard. Being careful of life and possessions is a habit formed through long experience of tumultuous history, generation upon generation.

Comments

[Anne]

We have a hay shortage and it feels like a hardship, because I don't know where I'll get hay when my stocks are depleted.

Then I read your blog, and I see deliveries by horses, which would be romantic, picturesque, quaint, all those things, if it didn't look colder than the moon and if I suddenly didn't have an idea of what real hardship might be.

People fortifying their living quarters (and livestock) for tumultuous times. Oh my. I hope you're writing a book.

[sue]

The snow is just starting here. Already someone has been killed, roads are blocked and there is chaos. So much for progress - perhaps we should return to horses and carts. I know I'd prefer it.

[Transylvanianhorseman]

Anne, it was -15C here this morning, very romantic really. The cats were not impressed when their milk bowl froze.

You worry about finding hay. I hope that you can find some. I worry about finding clients to pay for hay, salaries, etc. Now there has been a crash at the airport that we use (a plane taking off hit a maintenance vehicle on the runway) and that will damage trade. Sometimes I wonder how blogging can be used to improve turnover, because it certainly would be good if I could do this.

Sue, if we really are past "peak oil", your wish for horses and carts might just come true. Whatever we do, a more sustainable lifestyle will be essential. There have been some wrecks on the road here too, as usual people in a hurry. However we are used to the snow so there isn't chaos. Except around the capital city where the nouveau richer think that a Land Cruiser can sail through three feet of snow with ease. When they die, it is Darwin at work!