Day 2 at 'Hill Farm'

We are blessed with more warm, late spring sunshine. 

It is so peaceful. It is our first morning at 'Hill Farm', it has just gone 6am when I arrive. The air is filled with bird singsong and the bleating of the sheep. And then there are the views, just bliss!

It was 'Mr F's first night out for 4 months but all is well, he looks most content with his lot and I am pleased that he can be a 'normal' horse again.

I join 'Mr F' and 'Little Sam' in their field where we all eat our breakfast. For some years now have I been eating my food with 'Mr F'. It's just another way of observing him and whoever is in the field with him. He is perhaps a little on the chubby side but now that he has 24/7 turnout until autumn, this will change and his body will get back into shape.

While we all are busy eating, I observe the surroundings again and I start to feel how tense my body had been over the past months. It'll take me quite a bit longer than 'Mr F' to relax and calm down. Another point where non-human beings have the upper hand what being alive concerns: they just live in the moment.

It's quite strange now for me as of today I no longer have to pack his used stable shavings into bags and cart them away in the boot of my car. After 3 months of doing this, suddenly time to be!

After breakfast I make myself a cup of tea and sit in their field, bathing in the already warm sunshine. Eventually I drag myself away as I do have to work, someone has got to pay our bills.

'Mr F' pushing along 'Little Sam' - joined by 'Polly' on the other side of the fence.

'Mr F' and 'Little Sam'.

When I return later in the afternoon find both 'Mr F' and 'Little Sam' stand under the tree that grows next to the pond. Yes, there is a pond behind that fence, not very big but roomy enough to attract ducks. The ducks make for great entertainment and there is much flapping and quacking going on while the males chase the females. And there are ducklings, too!  

Under the tree is a metal feeder attached to the fence, containing some old haylage. 'Mr F' is rummaging through it but of course can't find anything that he finds acceptable to eat. There is grass in the field but it's not all that much. As 'Mr F' has been on soaked hay only for the last months it will help his digestive system if he isn't suddenly on grass only. 

I fill up the feeder with haylage, which is available to us all year round. 

Both boys are quite keen on the fresh haylage and the tree offers them some welcome shade from the already warm spring sun and the flies.

One more day and 'Little Sam' will have to go back home. He's been such a good companion for 'mr F'. I'd wish I could keep him but he is not mine and duties to introduce little girls to riding await him.