The way to Johnny’s heart.
- At August 10, 2012
- By Molly Chester
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I’m obviously standing a bit far back in the picture above, but metaphorically, the new horses at Apricot Lane really do feel this big. They’re beasts. Big creatures with soft spirits, they’ll only crush you accidentally. After a long, hot trip cross-country, Johhny & Frankie arrived disheveled with cloudy eyes. I don’t know if it was the grain they were feeding them or sadness, but those eyes have now cleared, thankfully. The sight of those beasts standing on Apricot Lane’s fresh green grass skipped my heart and paused my breathe. Black and green are surprisingly lovely colors together.
I haven’t ridden regularly since I was 9 or 10 years old. Rusty, I tried starting with a carrot, which they didn’t like. Apples, nope. I’ve never known a horse to snub an apple? But, neither cared a bit. It was Organic Sweet Feed that did the trick, and boy, did it ever. Desperate for their approval, I gave them lots of handfuls those first few days, and the boys still eat my hand, shirt, arm, whatever – each time I pass close.
Garett Long, our newest full-time employee, is washing Johnny above. Welcome Garett! Garett will be our Volunteer Coordinator, managing the day-to-day operations of our WWOOFer program.
My John and Johnny the horse have definitely bonded. He’s a real character, smiling and spitting water while getting his bath – not mean-spirited, he’s playful, curious and confident.
Frankie’s a bit more reserved, but harder working. Unless we make Johnny step it up, Frankie’s almost always pulling the weight of Apricot Lane’s new carriage, seen below. These guys are draft horses, and they’ll be used to tour folks around the farm for years to come.
In honor of the Organic Sweet Feed that did the trick for Johnny the horse, I’m sharing a recipe that makes my own John pretty happy. Now there’s nothing wrong with quality grain, treated with care, in my opinion, but sometimes it can make John and I a bit tired in sweet applications, like Granola. Knowing Granola is one of John’s favorite snacks, I wanted a Grain-free alternative, and I found the use of a ripe pear and apple worked beautifully. Try this out on anyone who needs a bit of buttering up, and if you really need to wow them, top it with a bit of chilled whole-fat coconut milk.
Click HERE for the Grain-free Granola recipe…
4 comments
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Patricia Lacock
I love your posts! Someday I would like to visit your farm.
PatriciaSeptember 25, 2012
Sandy Schrecengost
You’re so thoughtful…to your whole family…to John of course…and to each of your other furry charges.
Leanne
Gorgeous! Just love your blog! My only complaint would be that you don’t have more posts, but quality certainly makes up for quantity. : )
Molly Chester
This was kind – thank you. I would love to do more, too, but this 130-acre farm keeps me hoping!