As I sit here and write this, our Maritime Climate has enlisted the efforts, of multiple Occluded fronts, to lash our shores with Rain and more Rain. It has become the one element of life here that is forever enduring.
The grey skies, and the gusty winds, have turned our fields into Quagmires, riding is out of the question. The recently groomed horses, no longer resemble the epitome of what Xenophon had as an ideal. Moreover, they remind me of bedraggled war horses, defeated and cowed. It would seem, that God has conspired to punish us with flooding, gales and persistent heavy rain.
Our saddles, so usually dry and Mildew free, have begun to develop the little furry spots. I have applied more heating to the room, and at the moment, it looks as though we have won. Hay and straw, have scaled new heights in cost, feed is through the roof, and fuel has climbed to astonishing levels. provoking the start of renewed protests.
There have been several business failures in the horse world here, The Lake District Heavy Horse Centre, in Cumbria has had to close its doors. The 25 or so horses are in need of homes. Also a Horse sanctuary locally has ceased to be. There, over 20 horses are in need of new owners. “Cash is King!” Whomsoever stated that, hasnt the wit of man. Hay in round bales is selling at £50, per bale. An unheard of price! Wheat is a ridiculous amount, and other feedstuffs are seeing new levels of cost. Just recently, I heard a commentator on a radio station, idly state that we needed more land for food, and then with the other breath, he said we need more land for houses?
So what will happen? I dont know, all I do know, is that we as a Human race better start getting a grip! Before long, there will be too many of us, and too few acres of land to feed us all. If I sound like a doom and gloom merchant, I apologise, but I cant help but wonder……………..
I'm sorry to hear about such hard times. And sad to know so many horses will be displaced. The rain has got to be tiresome.
ReplyDeleteGas prices here continue to rise. I worry that we are going to start to see 2008 prices, which were thru the roof! Hay is still reasonable. We had a good season last year & since we sold our cows, have an abundance for just the horse herd.
Thinking of you.
Much appreciated Tammy! Thanks, I`m probably suffering "riding" withdrawal symptoms!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's perfectly reasonable for you to be feeling the way you were when you wrote this post. Rising prices are threatening the security of the people and animals around you and the rain is amplifying the entire dark outlook. Hopefully, things will look up soon.
ReplyDeleteWell the snowdrops are out! And they are a pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHang in...things always do change. The climate of our resources has dwindled here too...less land, more development. I hate pavement!
ReplyDeleteWe to have good hay resources, last year was good. But fuel costs drive "s" prices up. Those poor horses! Is love another, and a warmer blood, would suit me fine~
This is the only time I'll wish this for you-hope time flys -to springtime riding!
KK
You are extremely kind! Its true, I also wish it was well into spring. Still, must`nt wish our lives away!
ReplyDeleteMy folks have 10 acres, and I've thought about what it would take to put in a crop of alfalfa just for the hay to feed my sister's families horses, and maybe sell some. I know it's pretty pricey up this way as well.
ReplyDeleteGood idea. Probably take more than you would make, on ten acres, still worth a try!
ReplyDeleteWe are entering the Season of Mud (in between winter and spring) too, here in the Midwest USA. Hay, in 1500 lb bales, is going for 35.00 to 40.00, but luckily, we feed small squares. If we had bought the winter supply in fall... 30 to 40 bales for us, we would have paid 3.50 a bale, but from the feed store now, 5.50. The last four bales have not been good, and today I'll dump the llama feeder and stock it with what's left and buy more tomorrow. I notice horses in the fields now, around us, that were not there this week in the intense cold. I wish I could still look out the window and see horses in ours, but I'm 17 months away from it. We have a problem with unwanted horses here, too, but oddly enough, I am a backer of humane slaughter, and there are none open in the US now. I'm sure that will excite some comment.
ReplyDeleteTell them we need good Scotsmen in Canada. But that it's colder than. . . well it's very cold but many a brave Scot has survived here. Canada is very short of good men in the labor force. My husband has people phoning him asking him if he couldn't please come to work for them. The oil and gas industry especially is really crying for men. They pay enough to make such high price hay affordable.
ReplyDeleteI would love to come to Canada to work, however, as I am nearly at retirement age? I probably couldnt afford it. I had been looking at the requirements your government asks.
ReplyDeleteNot unreasonable, but at so late a time in my life, it wouldnt be possible.