The grass isn't always greener somewhere else--sometimes it's pretty darn green right where you are!

It's that time of year again--tall grass and hungry horses. The fields are green and beckoning. Although the horses have been getting alfalfa as well as hay every day, twice a day--they are ready for the fresh stuff. The problem is, that just like those of us who overeat when something tastes yummy, they will overeat and founder. Shirley tells me this practically every day. :)

So we start out slow; we bring them down and let them eat for a half hour or so every evening. It's a chewing festival. They never even lift their heads to move from one clean square to the next potential spot. Although the prospect of running does not seem like a good idea to them while they are eating--we are pretty sure that once the "time's up" signal is given, they probably would not let us catch them; so we hold on to their lead ropes. Except for Brady who is free to wander where he wants--old age has it's benefits.

Because of my work schedule and the fact that there are five horses, sometimes someone has to wait a little bit longer for his turn. It was Jupiter on Sunday. Guess how that went! He was upset that he had been left and everyone else was eating grass. He threw a bucking fit and had Shirley hugging a tree. He is the fattest of everyone. I mean he's ROUND. Shirley christened him with a new name: Jimmy Dean. He is going to get even rounder once they come down off the hill. Lynn will have to trim more brush so we fit on the trail.

Barry is planning on bringing his horses over to the pasture as soon as we get our horses acclimated to the grass. Although no one is happy about them coming, we are eager to see Dusty. Barry said he is huge now. He plans to ride him a lot this year. I don't think Nancy intends to get on him until Barry has gotten all the "bucking" out of him; but even then, she is shorter than any of us and will need a ladder to get on.

I like this time of year for a few reasons: first of all, I like standing around with Jupes. I get to talk to him and rub on him while he eats. He probably can't hear me over all that chewing, but it feels nice to hang out with him. Secondly, it also means standing around with Lynn and Shirley. We laugh over the day's events. You know Lynn is full of weird people stories! Finally, the dogs have a ball. The grass is way over their heads and they look so funny running and jumping in it. They roll around and weave in and out of the horses. It's easy to see the pure joy in their faces.

This together time is short and will come to a close very soon. The horses will be out in the fields and won't need us for a bit. Thankfully, they like us well enough and know that sometimes we bear treats, so they come to the fence to say hello. But the days of hurrying from school to feed are almost over for awhile. Although I like that I can stay at school longer and accomplish a few more things--I will miss seeing everyone. It also means that Ziva, the ball dog, won't be romping with her best friend and will expect me to play even more ball! :)

As I look forward to tomorrow's ride--I send good thoughts to Alisa and her crew. Six more weeks in the brace, but no surgery--Yay! We will be planning rides into Stanshaw and other fun places in no time.