A New Filly Arrives
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Colleen’s horse, Ellie, foaled a gorgeous black and white filly last Monday (March 23) night, probably between 10 p.m. and midnight. The filly is mostly a dusty charcoal gray with white spots and markings, a puzzle on a tiny pony. Nicholas, Colleen’s Labrador, woke her after midnight and when she walked out to the yard behind the farmhouse, the foal was already up and nursing. By Tuesday afternoon she was running around, kicking and bucking, going nose to nose with Nicholas, and chasing the cat.
It’s been warmer than it should be this time of year and humid. It’s hard on both horses and humans. Willis is slow and I don’t blame him; I feel lazy, too. Covid-19 has even affected the barn. The barn seemed empty this week. Before the shelter-in-place order, riders rushed to the barn to squeeze in a ride; this week it seemed like more people were staying away. Boarders can still care for and exercise their horses, but no family or friends are allowed – much to the relief of husbands and boyfriends who have no interest in going anyway. The rules are one horse to one rider and if possible, tack up in your stall. Willis doesn’t have a stall, but we can still use the crossties in the barn aisle or we can carry or drive our tack to the paddocks and tack up there.
Last weekend’s rain of 1-3/4” did not cool the days, but yesterday there was a slight change that could be felt by late afternoon – a mild, refreshing breeze leading to a perfect spring evening. The acacia are in bloom at the barn, their yellow-orange flowers exploding in a canopy of gold. The fields behind the paddocks are sprinkled with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and primroses. We can still walk the green belt offers trails through the woods. There are two bat houses constructed in a clearing about half-way between Fox Way and Raincreek Parkway. Bats are expected to arrive the middle of March, but peeking under the narrow houses set on poles, there were no bats. Perhaps later in the season.
– Christine Baleshta