The horses came in yesterday for the first time this winter. James says they look like big, giant marshmallows covered in fuzz. Their harnesses fit like that too. It’s a struggle to get them on a lead line the first few days, they are out of the habit and happy to have no responsibilities other than chasing the cows around to maintain themselves at the top of the winter pasture pecking order.

Abby, as always saunters right up and stretches her neck out into the halter for you. Lightning is a little harder to win over but is so happy for a bite of carrot that he can’t hold out too long. Rosa, who came to us right at the end of last season, is so new to the morning routine that we’re struggling to figure out her patterns, her likes and dislikes. She clearly does not like to be left out in the pasture without her friends but is still a little wary of us.

The horses have some freshening up to do on the training end and a lot of weight to lose to fit comfortably back into their harnesses. We’ll get them going skidding logs out of the woods for firewood, and soon be on to prepping for sugaring season.

We are officially looking for a retirement home for Abby. She’s as sweet and mild-mannered as they come, though will want some other horses for company. She is still great at doing light work, but can’t go all day when things really get moving in the spring and summer. Please pass the word along and let us know if you know anyone who is interested.

In the Farm Shares

In the veggie share: Kohlrabi, radish, turnips, leeks, potatoes, cabbage, onions, garlic, shallots, carrots, beets, parsnips, celeriac, dried sage, wheat berries, whole wheat flour, dry beans, corn meal. We have fresh sunflower shoots today. Shoots are much larger and more substantial than sprouts, with a good crunchy stem and bigger, tastier leaves. We have begun distributing potatoes from Essex Farm. The very wet season we had put a serious damper on our yield so we bought some in to make up the difference.

In the meat share: All cuts of pork and beef, half and whole broiler chickens in the freezer. Lard and leaf lard are available.

Sara Kurak
Full and By Farm

Related articles

• Full and By Farm: Sprouts (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Full and By Farm: Pastures Coated in Ice (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Full and By Farm: Sleepy Winter Patterns (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)