Horses in May

My husband, John, and I agree May is our favorite month at Blackberry Farm. Our life keeps us close to nature. We care for 23 horses, one donkey, 12 fallowdeer, 10 Barbados sheep, two dogs, and two cats. Living on our farm and working at Blackberry Farm provide opportunity to interact with domestic and wildanimals every single day. Life, death, birth, renewal are rituals on the farm. Spring sets it all in motion. For us, the New Year only begins stirringin January. It truly begins with spring!

May is the month to be inspired by nature, to inhale life’s essence. For us, horses provide the motivation and the means to revel in its splendor. Usually,in the morning, John will drive our truck to the Stables. I like to head to the barn in on my utility vehicle. It is electric, so quiet, and I as rolldown the driveway, with my little terrier on the seat beside me, the spring lambs are bounding and playing, the deer on high alert. Within three minuteswe are at the Stables. Activity is bustling. The horses greet us at the fence, ears up, asking for breakfast with a soft nicker. Often a mist will be risingup from Hesse Creek. Sometimes we stop at the top of the hill to soak it all in, just for a moment. Then we zoom to the barn to begin our day.

Once fed and tacked, the horses are ready for the day. We mount up and head to the hills. Our new Blackberry Farm Stables location is an incredibly gorgeouspiece of land. The new trails are treasure chests to explore, spilling with wildflowers and wildlife. By May, we’ve been enjoying the trillium and wildviolets and the May apples are coming on. The tender green leaves of the poplars and oaks tempt us up the mountain to explore. On a hilltop, we pause topay tribute to the solitary grave of Civil War soldier, John Blair, who is reported to have stated “When I die, bury me on that hill. It’s as close toheaven as I’ll ever get.” Gazing toward Chilhowee Mountain, we embrace Mr. Blair’s sentiment. These hills are heaven in May.

Soon the rhododendron will bloom, showering the hillsides and creek beds with blossoms. Every day, we will stop our horses and stand in awe, simply tosoak in, to admire, to be inspired by the mountain renewal of life. The horses will stare out, much the same way as we do. I believe they are also inspiredto feel joy in life. In May, join us on horseback or in one of our carriages, to become inspired by spring, to make your hearts sing! Blackberry has thebest-loved, most beautiful horses anywhere. We would love to share them with you.

Carla Hawkinson, Equestrian Program Manager
chawkinson@blackberryfarm.com
865.273.8545/865.738.3712