Last year was a tough one for anyone needing hay. In a normal year we usually get three or four cuttings of hay, the first usually coming in middle to late May. Sadly, one cutting was all the farmers got in 2022. The problem was lack of rain – it just quit raining! Without the Blessed rain and sun, nothing grows. Pastures dry up. Plants die. Animals wither and suffer. Crops don’t produce and financial hardships follow.
At Rainhill we have many mouths to feed – 50 horses to be exact. We struggled all fall and winter to keep enough hay in the barn to satisfy our precious horses. When spring temps started to rise this year and rain began to fall, the pastures turned that lovely shade of green that lets me know we’ve made it through winter and survived another drought. Then about a month ago it stopped raining. It was dry once again and the talk at the feed stores was, “The hay fields aren’t growing like they should.” The lack of rain and cool nights stunted the grasses and all signs were not favorable for a successful hay year.
In the past few days we have had a nice amount of rainfall and my favorite, no severe weather. It is overcast today and that allows the plants to utilize the moisture that is in the ground instead of having the hot sun bake it all away, leaving a hard crust of dirt.
When the farmers begin cutting the hay fields this year, we need to purchase as much hay as possible to prepare for another dry year. Hay and grain are our two biggest expenses and the two things we can’t do without. If you would like to help us feed these wonderful horses, we would be so grateful. I know there is so much need in the world right now and so much sadness. These horses did not ask to be born but they do need to be cared for. Won’t you help Rainhill? We are a 501c3 non-profit organization that simply wants to give these blind and disabled horses a place to live out their lives free from harm in a place where they are understood and valued for their intelligence and beauty.
Thanks for reading our little stories and let me thank you in advance for any help you might provide. Donations may be mailed to the address below. May God bless you!
-by Karen Thurman
Rainhill Equine Facility
11125 Ky. Hwy. 185
Bowling Green, KY 42101
