So, back when we lived in the northeast, I used to think of November as the month that I started really dreading the cold and snow that was soon to blanket the world. I am not a fan of the cold. And back then, when I was boarding and riding after work (including long commutes and very structured days in the office that would be unthinkable now, post pandemic) the thought of slipping and sliding on the way to the barn, pulling heavy blankets off and trying to groom and tack up and then pile quarter sheets and coolers back on to ride “without dying,” was not very appealing. Ditto the thought of sliding down to the (dark) indoor, fumbling around for the lights, hoping the horse did not spook at the hiss of the lights warming up – or later, at the snow sliding off the roof at random moments, and let’s just say I basically held my breath until Spring had finally returned, months later.
I have escaped all that!
Fall and winter here in south Florida just mean nicer more temperate riding days and a break from having to cut the grass every ten minutes or so, as we do in the summer. We do get a bit of fall color – nothing like the gorgeous forests of the northeast – and my beloved Plumeria’s leaves turn yellow and fall to the grass. And we have some really glorious riding days.
This is also the time of year when we start planning farm improvements. Because the regular maintenance stuff slows down quite a bit – did I mention having to cut the grass every ten minutes in the summer? – we have more time and bandwidth on the weekends to do other projects. Next up, we will be installing more paddocks in the field we bought to expand the farm last year. And I have an idea to put in a galloping track around the perimeter, too. Lots to do!!
Hedgerow Farm 