Horses Change Coats
Before winter clouds plump in the sky,
before snowdrifts pile up too high,
before the sun with its bold, bright light
falls asleep longer each night,
long fluffy hair appears
on muzzles, fetlocks, and pointy ears.
During the winter horses wear,
a thick warm coat of shaggy hair.
When the sky becomes bright and blue,
when spring flowers begin to sprout,
when birds build nests and fly about,
horsy hides turn slick and sleek
as the sun shines longer and hotter each week.
Preparing for summer’s fiery glare,
horses lose their winter hair.
Horses must keep a watchful eye
on the sun’s yearly travel across the sky
as it changes places every day,
climbing and dipping along the way,
letting mares and stallions know
it’s time for their winter coat to grow.
Or perhaps to warn instead,
it's time for their hairy coats to shed.
Now that our daylight hours lengthen, here in California time springs forward, so don't forget to set your clocks.
Happy Spring!