This week’s news from Kristin Kimball at Essex Farm:
“There is nothing quite like the first day of soft weather. The children are outside without coats on and the sun feels so good nobody minds the mud. The sap buckets overflowed last night, during the first really strong run of the year – and in April, for goodness sake, when we are usually beginning to think of pulling the taps. This weather will not last long but I am thoroughly enjoying it while it does. […]
The horses have been working hard in the sugarbush. We had a slight accident earlier in the week with Amos, one of the spotted drafts. He slipped in the mud while pulling the sap tank uphill and lost his footing. When you weigh 2000 pounds, falls are going to hurt. He got a cut on his chest and has a swollen back leg that left him lame for a day or two, but he’s in good spirits and the injuries are healing quickly. Last night I noticed he was well enough to put his head down and kick at his pasture mates with both hind hooves. I expect he’ll be ready for work again in another week or so.
Today, Cub and Jake are pulling the wagon. They are brothers that we bought separately several years apart. It is so good to see them hitched together, even better to drive them. I have not yet discovered a place in the world I like better than behind a pair of good horses. They are going to be tired boys at the end of the day, as the sap wagon team will be making several trips to collect all those full buckets…” Continue reading this Essex Farm Note.
Related articles
- Essex Farm: Maple Sugaring (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Maple Weekends in Reber (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex Farm: Spring Sunrise (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex Farm: Considering Seeds (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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