It’s Thursday and we have really pathetic snow! Even Noodles, who embraces anything wet as a challenge to be had, was unenthusiastic.
So much of what we do is weather dependent. Each season brings challenges and benefits for us to capitalize and use to our advantage. The one exception to the rule is mud. I see absolutely no benefit to mud and believe me, I have tried!
We have one enormous paddock that is the proud owner of its very own underground spring. Sounds idyllic and conjures up images of softly babbling brooks surrounded by lush, green grasses gently swaying in the gentle breeze. Well our is a ravenous beast that doesn't actually break the surface preferring a stealth attack from under the ground. Yes, it generates lush, green grasses but on closer inspection the surface is deep pock marks from horse’s feet. Lying within the unctuous concoction are horse shoes, expensive horse shoes unceremoniously sucked from horses’s hooves by the evil substance.
The bipeds are not spared. Rubber boots are sucked down by vacuum effect and leave you one legged with arms flailing in an attempt to balance. Once a semblance of balance is gained, the tug-o-war with unseen forces can begin. The trick is to wiggle the possessed boot until the vacuum seal is broken and then, gently, extract the boot and replace on foot. It’s a well honed skill that can easily result in a filthy disaster if rushed. Unfortunately, I speak knowledgeably on this matter!
The changes to the land due to weather are amplified on a farm. The land, in its most natural and undisturbed state tells stories, should you choose to listen. The underground spring in the paddock lay dormant this summer. It either didn’t come close to the surface or the aquifer source has changed. This was indicative of the water issues observed across both farms. Dust, less lush paddocks and hay fields that only produced a first cut of hay when a second and potentially a third would have been possible in previous years.
This situation produces concern and dismay due to its far reaching consequences. Water is our life source. It’s an essential component in everything we do. Hay prices soar and sourcing narrows. We conserve water as best we can. We scrub out troughs once a week instead of daily. Seems counter productive but to scrub a water trough requires the dumping of useable water in the cleaning process. We don’t fill troughs to the top instead calculate enough water for the animal’s requirements and top up twice a day. This means, should we have a trough paddler, it’s a lesser amount of water to change. We do have animals that like to bathe their feet! We use nets to scoop out leaves and debris but those are ineffective against muddy water! All animals need fresh, clean water it’s just some can’t resist the urge to paw it!
Here’s hoping for a wet, snowy winter season to replenish our resources.
