‘Tis the Season

There’s a special quality to the air ‘round this time of year as the night outlasts the day. The moon and stars twinkle a little brighter, reflecting on the occasional frost or snow dusting, and the sun sinks ever South each dawn, gracing the sky a little less each day. The harvest has been gathered and stored away, in preparation for the coming winter. A certain feeling of happiness and excitement fills the barnyard. It starts with the changing of the seasons, and grows like a horse’s winter coat, as the days and weeks pass by. ‘Tis the season….for some hay fun.

Yes, it’s not just the holidays that have barnyards in a tizzy. First there’s the fall clean up to complete; putting away those extra buckets and winding up the water hose. Don’t forget to put that pitchfork in its proper place. There’s many a sketch portraying the poor soul who misplaced it and inevitably finds it the hard way. Then there’s the storing away enough feed for winter, (we keep our grain in an old, unplugged chest freezer to deter pests).  Straw or sawdust needs stacked or stored. As well as patching up some bits of fences and stopping up holes around the doors for warmth. But don’t forget that most essential element in the barnyard this season.

Hay is the best thing since cracked corn. Fall pastures touched by frost and drenched with mud no longer offer good feed and hay is a welcome treat. There’s nothing like being let loose on a Spring Pasture, but that is many winter days and nights hence. Right now, hay is the next best thing…not including apples. There are still the scrapings and scrappings scattered here and there and these will be munched on just because or often just for effect, in the hope that we might offer a bit more too eat.

Hay is surely a thanksgiving meal, although sometimes it’s “Thanks” with a quick smooch and a persistent, “Now give me my hay!”

Hay has many unexpected and curious uses. From hay forts to hay tunnels in the mow, even hide-and-go-seek spots. Of course Cecil has some other silly ideas:

“Are the ever-changing temperatures giving you a chill? Make your very own hay blanket! A round bale is required for the best horse-made hay blankets, though you can make do with a square bale if you have to. First you look sad and pitiful, till your person brings you a round bale. Then run around in excitement and rub all over the outside, just to soften it up for chewing. This is also great for those itches that are just out of reach. Next eat a hole in the middle like a donut, spreading some around for a nice comfy bed, and continue until the outer edges loosen. Then simply lie as close to the bale as you can, with your back against its side, and proceed to pull a section across your back. Be sure to keep it in one piece so it won’t fall off as you walk and carefully stand. Now you have your very own horse-hay blanket, and best of all you can bring your second breakfast with you. A snuggly, breathable, edible blankie; now you can wander ‘round the barnyard and you don’t have to make any effort to return to the bale for a while. Just watch out if you have pesky goats or calves around, they might try to steal your blankie right off your back!”

This farmer cautions that if your horse is a glutton don’t try this in your barn.

Hay isn’t just for horses. Of course hay is heartily enjoyed and devoured by cows, sheep, and goats as well, but hay also makes a wonderfully fun toy for nearly every critter in the barn. Even the most serious Pygmy Goat cannot resist a “mountain” of hay; even if that hay was not stacked to be the best kind of climbing course for one with such a wide belly. That pint-sized yearling sheep getting the headbutt every time she tries to eat, can show the others who’s queen of the flock and get the choice pieces, by standing on top of the round bale where all the bigger sheep can’t reach.

Of course hay is a prime scratching post for every critter with fur, hair, wool, or feathers…not to mention a preferred launching pad for take-off. An obstacle course is great fun for exercise, and laughing the cold away. Picking up a square bale by the twine, if it’s close enough to the stall, is a fond pastime for some horses. As is pulling the leaves loose from the twine until it’s light enough to distribute everywhere, with extra delight for how much ends up in the farmer’s hair. And don’t forget those purring barnyard hunters patrolling the stacks for mice and rats, who on the coldest winter nights hollow out a kitty nest and cover themselves over for the coziest bit of furry comfiness. Sometimes they snuggle with an egg or even a chicken for warmth too, but that’s another story.

Just a bit of hay fun can ease the dull hours of winter, when the critters have to be cooped up in the barn. Laughing through a midnight snack and when “mama” actually lets the kids play with their food. Whether it’s in a round bale or a square, fed by hand or forked into the feeder, given by the bucketful or a leaf at a time, hay is truly something to be Thankful for this Holiday Season.

Tags: Hay, Holidays, Horse, Kitty, Winter

Category: Featured, Lifestyle