Second Cutting

The last of this season's hay - "2nd cutting"  - softest greenest hay - used to feed cattle a burst of nutrition- also used to maintain the diet of an older horse.  Our eldest horses - first Smokey Boots into  her 30s.  Now June Royal,  is showing the later signs of aging.

The gray on her face - the thin body - she's holding her weight pretty, but the ribs are starting to show.  She gets extra senior feed.  June, susceptible to laminitis from too much grass - from pastures plush and large - can stay on pasture all the time now.  In the winter, it is the 2nd cutting that will keep her in good stead.

Hay Time!

For us, the first hay is a Godsend - because the weather plays the ultimate role in achieving great horse hay...

First it is late, we are ready to bale today after much summer rain - since spring went without rain this year - the rain Gods sent it to us later.

It is July 12th - the timothy headed out 2 weeks ago - approximately - an is going to seed - see photo.

so what you want ideally is when that is just nice and full and green - newly formed.

however the alfalfa is in good stead.

Gene is working the tedder - which takes the hay cut the day before  - spins it outward to fluff it - to dry in a single layer - sun and wind acts to preserve it - dried to perfection.  Gene will typically ted twice the 2nd day - once the day we bale - today - and he will rake it before baling it.   The rake pulls the hay into a row for the baler to swallow easily and put out square bales.  Since the ground was wet on Day one - he also raked it afterwards to dry the ground out underneath.

Gene is dressed with a hoodie to protect himself from all the bugs that fly into him and bite in the process of messing with tall grasses.

and we do it all for these beautiful horses and customer's animals, to keep them healthy in the winter months.  Hay is the ultimate in preserved foods...