Brena became quite focused riding across a field where maize had been harvested. Her attention turned downward even more than usual. Perhaps she remembered maize from Italy or Slovenia?
It surprised me just how many maize cobs littered a small field: enough to feed a horse for a few days, perhaps longer. I ought to take Brena back there next weekend.
I'm used to a land where crops were harvested by hand. Nothing was droped and left to rot. But here it isn't "cost-effective" to reduce waste below a certain level. How sad, in a country where people are unemployed and food is expensive.
On Sunday the ground was dry and flinty, a last relic of a vanished summer. Now the rain has swept in. The ground is wet and slippery. I'm driving in 4WD at the barn. Brena is filthy from rolling, and I am considering cleaning her at the weekend then rugging her for the duration.
The dark wet grim months have begun. I look back grateful that I did not waste warrm days and bright evenings through the summer. Tired or not, I got out to ride. From now on every dry Saturday and Sunday will count. Each fine view and inspiring landscape or cloudscape will buoy my spirit. I'll strive to get through winter with beauty and philosophy.
i just harvested my corn stalks out of my garden and gave them to baasha cuz they didn't turn out this year. he really likes the leaves. i afraid he'll choke on the stalks so i cut them up. all these years, i never had a chance to explore different foods my horse likes until now, cuz i didn't have him at home.
Posted by: lytha | October 28, 2011 at 06:17 AM
It's surprising just what horses like, and there isn't much that will harm them. I'd like to find maize grains to feed when the weather is really cold. Brena and Doru are sure to remember that food from past days.
Posted by: White Horse Pilgrim | October 29, 2011 at 12:11 AM