My heart sings when I see my horses grazing in knee-high grass. Such a bounty means that all those bales of hay I've been stacking will last that much longer.
The weather in New Mexico is unpredictable. Dry years, wet years, drought years – no two are ever the same. This year, there was no grass to graze until the third week of July; last year (once I pulled all the locoweed), the boys were grazing full time in late April. Regardless of when grazing season starts, it usually ends in early November, when the frost kills the grass and it doesn't taste as good anymore.
The grass this year is so plentiful that I've had to put all the boys on a diet. Instead of being turned out 24/7, they are turned out 12/7 - three hours in the afternoon, then nine hours overnight. This schedule works well for all of us. I get to enjoy their presence up near the house when I'm awake, and they get to graze when the bugs have gone to sleep. Plus, I still get a few hours of blue skies and sunshine for picture-taking in the pasture.
Imagine their surprise when they look down for their next bite and see me instead.
There is an amazing variety of grasses for them to choose from, most of it different types of grama.
I'm not sure how many miles they travel during grazing time. The back 40 has fewer trees and more grass, and they tend to gravitate in that direction. They are always on the move, and they always travel together.
My herd...when they're happy, I'm happy.
Beautiful pictures of your fellas. I love that they stick together.
ReplyDeleteThose are nice photos, brilliant blue sky! I love that you have all that grass for your crew. It is so natural for those grazers to be, well- grazing! I'm sure they are happy in mind and body. And anything to help that hay stock last longer, more time for you aching body to rest before the next load! ;)
ReplyDeleteYes, i'm afraid that i detect "grass bellies" on your kids. But what wonderful, colorful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love it when they can graze the natural sweet grasses. Plus, it saves on hay. I find it interesting how they browse. My horses like to switch from the tall thick grass, to the short stuff, then on to a few weeds, back to the gramma grass, a few more weeds, etc. etc. I love that contented look they get in their eyes when their bellies get full too.
ReplyDeleteDang you Rancher Woman! Dang you and your blog all to heck! ;)
ReplyDeleteI just discovered it today and have been popping back and forth to the computer to get my fix.
I've now read your entire blog, yup the whole thing. Start to finish.
In case that didn't make it obvious I LOVE it! Your sense of humour, gorgeous critters and beee-yoo-ti-ful photos. :)
Its now 5am and I'm finally off to sleep... don't feel too guilty though, bedtime for me is usually between 3:30 and 4:30 (in the am)
Goodnight (or good morning I guess)
Ain't it the truth - When they're happy, we're happy. It looks gorgeous in New Mexico right now - enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteAwwwww...they all look so happy!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love that they are living like horses, out moving and grazing and being in "herdthink" together.
ReplyDeleteWe are doing a split turn-out this week, as the days are cooler and the fields have too much grass for all night turn-out. They have been going out around 6 p.m. until midnight, and then into the paddocks/open stalls from midnight until about 7 a.m. They go out from 7 a.m. until breakfast at 10, and then I let them stay out until barn chores are done and they feel like coming in to rest.
It was so cool yesterday I turned the fans off. We're definitely in the shift to autumn.
What beautiful images! That one donkey sure does look quizzical!
ReplyDeleteBlack boxed my way here, btw :-)
Beautiful pictures, as usual, and your animals have such a wonderful area to roam. Whew!
ReplyDeleteI love your quotes of the day too. LOL
Same here, when my horses are happy, I'm happy. I don't have nearly the room that you do, but still, every time I look out, the horses have meandered off to a different location. Always on the move, the way it should be.
ReplyDeleteAnn
cdncowgirl, I can't believe you read the whole thing! I haven't even done that...am saving that up for when I get old. But thanks for visiting and glad you enjoyed your stay. Come back again soon.
ReplyDeleteOk, you know how beautiful I find your horses and donks, but now, I've just gotta remark on that sky. Incredible...I had no idea that New Mexico enjoyed such incredibly blue skies.
ReplyDeleteSo, a couple questions...leaving them out all night - no concerns about predators? Or do you count on the donkey boys to keep them at bay? And then, what's your total acreage? Your property looks huge.
Wonderful post - I love that your herd sticks together. :-)
That has to be the thing that makes me happiest in my life....when I see my animals are content and happy. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. That one of The General, with Lyle in the front, really shows off his fat and happy grass belly. :)
ReplyDeleteI know you know how incredibly lucky you are to have all that grass covered acreage to feed your handsome horses and burros.
You have given them the most natural and happiest life to live on your beautiful 7MSN Ranch. :)
~Lisa
Laughing Orca Ranch
New Mexico
Oh and I forgot to add that I really liked the Shoebox Greeting for the day.
ReplyDeleteI consider myself a Mountain Woman here at 7,000 ft above sea level. And I must admit that figuring out high altitude directions is always a challenge for me. Most recipes cover up to 5,000 above sea level.
Mistakes can be catastrophic for most recipes, especially for bread...yikes!
But brownies are never a mistake...they either end up gooey or cake-like.
Either way.....Yum!
~Lisa
Laughing Orca Ranch
ps Linda, I must shamelessly admit that I follow your blog every day, for the wonderful pictures of your critters, but also for those funny, thought provoking ShoeBox Greetings.
Thanks for the fun blog to brighten my day. :)
Danni, New Mexico does have the most beautiful skies...because there are rarely any clouds to muck 'em up. I think we have a higher percentage of sunshiney days than any other state.
ReplyDeleteI used to leave the boys in the corral all night - in fact, I was obsessed about it because I was so afraid something might get them. Then I decided a mountain lion or bear could attack them just as easily in the corral as it could out on the range. Plus, there are baby calves and pronghorn all over the area, which are much easier targets for predators than healthy 1,000 pound horses. And because of all the grass, the jackrabbits are in abundance, so the coyotes have plenty to eat, and they won't dare come near the burros anyway. (I can rationalize anything once I put my mind to it...) As for total acreage, I've got 80 fenced acres and the boys have access to it all, except for the footprint around the house.
Lisa, I visit the Shoebox blog every day and steal what I think are the funniest bits...the sickest, most twisted, funniest bits. Glad you like them.
Wow Lisa/Twinville, 7000 ft, you must live in some incredible place!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I also think you have one of the most interesting and fun blogs out there, along with outstanding pictures. Your place is amazing and your animals all too cool. :o)
Nice pics! You have an eye for taking pics of the equines at your place. My pics end up looking "muley". I don't even try anymore
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! :o)
ReplyDeleteImagine how far animals walk in droughts? It amazes me! The feed that they do get would burn off when they walk back for water I'm sure!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm happy when your posting great pictures of them.....
ReplyDeleteYeah! George & Alan are back - LOL he looks like he stopped chewing when he spotted you! Too cute, they are!
ReplyDeleteGeorge & Alan Fan :)
As usual those shots are perfect. The longer they graze on the sweet grasses the better for them and for your hay stash. I am glad that there is plenty this year.
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