Weather impact

I didn't get to ride because of the weather. Not so much because it rained during the evening - in fact the weather dried up nicely - but because the railway between work and home was struck by lightning. That knocked out the signals, which led to delays until repairs were made.

An airport control tower was struck too, which stopped operations for a while forcing planes to divert. In other areas flooding has been reported. I am just glad that, for the most part, this country is not hot or dry enough for wildfires to break out.

In a now dry early evening the two horses enjoyed their dinner. Whilst they ate I pulled ragwort from the field. This poisonous plant is becoming quite a nuisance. As budgets are cut, it spreads along roads and paths, infiltrating farmland.

Their neighbour is around forty years old and has little in the way of teeth. She cannot graze - though she tries - so lives on a special mash diet up to her knees in grass.

My two would level that field in no time. However such is the fear of laminitis that no other horse has been put in their to graze it down. This is a very reasonable precaution on land that has been re-sown with dairy grass.

Now all of the fields are taken. The farm has a delightful feel, with several dozen horses all turned out. Where fields meet they gather in small groups, grooming across the fences or simply congregating. In the long evenings there is activity right past nine at night, with horses being schooled or ridden around the farm. Sometimes I get back as late as ten.

Brena's feet are standing up to the work, though chipped and worn. She does have curious upright feet with great wide coronary bands. I could neaten them with a rasp, however I think that the less removed (and the more hoof material remaining in place) the better. I do remove broken fragments that are hanging off, however that is rather a cosmetic exercise.

She is sound on all surfaces but does choose her path carefully, as I would expect a natural horse to do so. I select places to trot and canter based on the going rather than simply where I feel like it. That, too, is an impact of the weather - springy going after rain or hard as iron in the dry spells.

Anyway we have five days of fine settled weather forecast. There will be plenty of riding. However it may be slow going on the bone-dry ground.

Comments

[lytha]

we need help here with grazing - we have too much grass, if only someone would just let us borrow a companion to help out in two ways.

and now for the coolest thing i've seen all week:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/itdepartment/e95e/

[White Horse Pilgrim]

I'd be happy to help. Can I send Doru over for a long holiday? At least he can eat like a true professional guzzler.

Over here the farmers have been bleating on that 'there will be no hay' and that (as usual) the government should help them. Then the hay harvest starts and we are awash with the stuff. The fields on the farm where the barn is located are yielding a good crop. Trails are overgrown.

Where would we be without Tolkien? However in an hour I can be at the pub where Tolkien and C S Lewis used to drink, and sit enjoying a pint in the seats where they sat. Meanwhile IT and Mordor - really, they'd have had the technology but not been able to appreciate the subleties of the goings on of guerilla Hobbits and Rangers.

[lytha]

woo now that i've found a job i intend to join you in that bar. get this: 25 vacation days per year!!! that's a real shock for this american.

i want to see your rolling landscape myself. and maybe a castle/palace. definitely that university. and i want to eat fish and chips. yes, i'm dreaming of spending paychecks i have not seen yet!

[White Horse Pilgrim]

Well you'd better make your way across as soon as you're ready. All of the aspirations that you express can be fulfilled. It's really easy to get across by train via the tunnel. There is a sofa bed to sleep on here, and cats to share with of course. So, let me know when you are ready.