Ascension Day Farm

13/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16j4dqP5C1/

Now you know...

The Bald Eagle’s transformation is a powerful symbol to nature’s quiet persistence.

From the moment they fledge, these birds begin a five-year journey of profound change.

As juveniles, they wear a cloak of dark brown feathers, mottled with white and crowned with a black beak—an appearance that allows them to disappear into the landscape. Yet within this subtle form lies the promise of majesty.

Around 3.5 to 4.5 years of age, the shift begins. Their once-dark head and tail feathers gradually turn white, the beak brightens to a golden yellow, and the fierce gaze that defines the adult eagle begins to sharpen.

By the age of five, they emerge fully transformed: white-headed, yellow-beaked, and embodying the strength and freedom they have long symbolized.

This gradual transformation also signals the eagle’s readiness to mate and claim territory, marking its full entry into adult life.

Text credit: Earth Unreal
Image credit: Avianreport

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01/05/2025

Yeah. She gets it... Extremely well written and worth the read...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15pZqMo6sw/

"A year ago this week, my mom died. I lay next to her for a long time, unable to let go. No one prepared me for that instinctual need to stay close — it just happened. Honestly, if hospice hadn’t been so smooth, I would have stayed even longer.

In many cultures, and even in nature, it’s common to remain with the body for a while. Loved ones clean, care for, and say goodbye themselves. In our culture, we often rush it away. Even social animals linger with their dead, sometimes for days. Staying close helps grief find its way through — something we desperately lack.

Yesterday — the last day I would have wanted — we said goodbye to Shadowfax. It wasn’t expected. Earlier in the week, he had been isolating and lying down more. I called the vet, worried. No fever, but heavy breathing. When he stood up, it was clear: his feet hurt terribly. Despite daily meds and every effort, the laminitis and arthritis had worsened.

There it was: the one-year anniversary of my mother’s death, and another decision in front of me. Emotionally, I didn’t want to face it. But Shadowfax didn’t know about anniversaries — he only knew his pain. I pulled myself apart emotionally and rationally, and did what he needed: I let him go.

Afterward, I lay beside him. We’re so quick to remove the body in our culture, but staying makes the loss less sharp. I ran my hands through his soft hair, breathed him in, told him everything I needed to. The time beside him helped slow down the goodbye.

Shadowfax was one of the kindest, most genuine souls I’ve ever met. He was a fairytale horse, beautiful inside and out. I am devastated he’s gone. I knew when he arrived he was hospice — but I had hoped for more time. I’ve learned time isn’t always ours to decide.

The sun shone. The sky was blue. And in my heart, I watched him gallop toward the clouds, my voice in his ear telling him how loved he was.

We can’t avoid death and grief. But we can be brave enough to be present. If that means lying in the driveway with a horse for hours, I’ll do it— and then rise and do it again when another soul needs me.

Run free, Shadowfax. Run like the wind. Tell Mom I love her. I’ll love you forever, king of the horses."

30/04/2025

Spending the day at the Middletown FFA agricultural fair at Middletown High School, learning about all things animals, agriculture, and just plain fun... Oh and some amazing Ascension Day Farm Tortoise friends as well...

01/02/2024

Toby
This sweet and affectionate boy is looking for a new home through no fault of his own.
Toby, is a stocky 15.1hh 12 y/o Quarter Horse Gelding. He is barefoot (stands nicely for the farrier but sometimes just needs company to talk to him), UTD on farrier, dental (needs sedation) and all vaccinations. He is an easy keeper and does not require any maintenance.

Toby came to us in 2020 from a home where his lifelong companion had died, and he was severely depressed with separation issues. We sent him for 3 months of professional training, where he was restarted and was able to regain his ground manners and confidence. He was used intermittently in our beginner/advanced beginner lesson program, where he was calm, quiet, and obedient, but just didn’t seem happy with that job. We realized that being a lesson horse is not for him, as he really needs one person to love him and be his human. He has the silliest personality and loves to stand and snuggle. He LOVES everything water related and will happily stand under a hose on a hot day (turning around occasionally to get the spots you missed) or play in a creek.

Toby’s Strengths:
Toby is amazing on trails and a saint in the arena. He loves to slowly jog around and occasionally go over a few poles. He crosses water, goes over bridges, goes up and down steep ledges, and is honest to a fault. You can leave him weeks without being ridden and he is the same horse every time. He stops on a dime, backs up and can be ridden English, western, or ba****ck. He is small enough for a child, but also stocky enough that he is an appropriate size for an adult (think “child/parent horse”). He can also be led on a lead-line with a child.

Toby’s Weaknesses:
Toby was bred to be very stocky, so his left front leg got caught in his dam’s womb; causing him to be permanently toed in. He is 100% sound and never has taken a wrong step, but it is recommended that he should not canter/lope under saddle because it may be unsafe for the rider (possible tripping issue). He can however, canter and gallop with absolutely no issues.

Toby’s Ideal Partner:
Toby would be best with a confident advanced beginner, or beginner who is working with a trainer. He never tries anything naughty; he just needs to be guided in the right direction and can have a mind of his own if he senses that you aren’t confident. He is perfect for a rider who wants to do trail riding, obstacles, hacking around, groundwork, or even just as a companion horse. He must go to a home with at least one other horse. He tends to be a “middle of the herd” kind of guy but would do better with geldings as he tends to be a bit overprotective with mares.

Toby comes with all appropriate records and will go to an approved home only. Our family adores this horse, and would keep him forever, but we are downsizing our herd and our farm-life. He can be seen and ridden at our farm by appointment only.

Toby is priced at very low four figures, starting with a 2. Shipping available locally.

Located in Middletown, MD

Please PM with any questions or to set-up an appointment.

Videos:

https://youtu.be/IxSNtIjra7Q

https://photos.google.com/search/horse/photo/AF1QipNgXVh_KKDPX9BcR-kCSCP_KDjo-xxLwWiDpyuq

https://photos.google.com/search/horse/photo/AF1QipPxjIFevEZEfpZORTRRebeLUzUmXv_iTIG3nX2S