HAY IS FOR HORSES

When I sent an inquiry to Harrowsmith’s request for writers, I simply shared a brief history about my experience living in the country, across the Canadian Prairies, for a total of nearly 25 to 30 years. I have also lived in the city for about 15 to 20 years, but I always missed the countryside. I would go for drives often, checking out farms, looking at listed properties for sale, hoping, praying, one day the good Lord would answer those prayers in His time. Graciously, He did.

I was asked to write about hay and straw and describe the difference in a way that could help new hobby farmers, urban families who are starting out in the country, and those who have just purchased livestock. Essentially, hay is feed and straw is bedding.

HAY

When the words and are written, warm and comforting memories immediately come to my mind. Memories during late, hot summers with sunbeams shining through the hayfield. This was haying season, when my stepdad and I drove and stacked bales on the old