A new season is above us, even if the winter left us with hardly any snow and wintery calm. Could it be that the grass is already greening? Some days with sun rays still leave a slightly bad taste in the mouth. This is not how it ought to be. What is it now to come, and how can we deal with a challenging climate in the future, still aiming at a natural, holistic and harmonic farm life? We are curious where the animal takes us, as we continue to dig deeper into the historical sources of traditional plant knowledge and animal care,

The academic art of riding is a good frame for diving into the cultural history of horse education. This year we aim for three clinics with licensed Bent Branderup-trainers Monika Sanders and Hanna Engström at Østreng. The first upcoming is a weekend clinic with Monika Sanders April 4-5, followed by one-day clinic with Hanna Engström May 11, and October 9.

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to attend.

The spring took us quickly to the summer and the summer … it will soon take us further … Now the days are truly getting shorter again. The energetic June and July provided us with twice as much time as usual. All time spend well. All time spend with reflections and mindful moments during harvesting, restoration and training. So grateful for valuable help from family and friends - old and new.

This season has enriched us with craftsmanship, carpentry and wood work. So many milestones, so many achievements, and so many awaiting challenges.

The animals remind us to breathe and let go and to appreciate the moments.

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Trees, birds and life are awakening from the winter hibernation, a winter that has been full of remarkable in depth exploration of how resistance can cause curiosity and appreciation. The amazing pussy willows (Salix caprea) truly signal that the spring season has arrived. It is time to wonder what the new season will initiate. The first tree that signals the arrival of the new season is the tree that we have been immensely grateful to throughout the entire winter.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), nun, abbess and medicinal plant expert, wrote about Willow: “The willow (wida) is cold, and it designates vices, since it seems to be beautiful. It is not useful for people, except in serving external uses, and is not good for medicine. Its fruit and juice is bitter, and not good for human use. If one wishes to eat it, it stirs up and augments melancholy in him, makes him bitter inside, and diminishes his health and happiness.”

The sheep at Østreng have had willows for their daily food the entire winter, and have certainly not been affected by the melancholy Hildegard describes. Nordic plant traditions seem to explain the willows in another direction, being more of a health provider and even pain reliever.

Right now, the willow is a clear favorite at Østreng and even brings hope and dreams for a new season!

Frost has arrived and winter is approaching. All animals are installed in their main areas, sharing days of growth, friendship, and ruminating. While days are getting shorter, the sunrises and sunsets get more and more intense. Just like a reminder: be here, be now!

And certainly do the horses remind us the same. New horses in the herd make the horses clear about their own distinct personality. From their behavior in the herd, we learn to see their potentials and how we can guide them towards strength and suppleness in mind and body.

The two rams was separated from the herd temporarily this autumn due to castration. It was a choice – to be or not to be. Their vivid arguments won, and now the herd is complete. Herman is taking the lead, often found standing with his front legs on a bench or on a stump, watching horses in training, and other activities on the other side of the fence. Heidrun’s curiosity has led her into some difficulties, a hay net around her horns one day and stuck in the chicken yard another day. However, her eager attitude makes us smile every day.

Lonely am I as the forest aspen,
Of kindred bare as the fir of its boughs,
My joys are all lost as the leaves of the tree
When the scather of twigs from the warm day turns

(From Hamdismál)

Tree after tree and bundle after bundle, of willows, roe, aspen and ashes... We spend day after day at Østreng these summer weeks with harvesting leaves for the winter fodder. The extensive drought has urged us to search the roots for older customs in feeding the animals. Our forefathers also fed their animals during winter, but they did not cultivate as much land for fodder as is normal today. Neither did they have big storage rooms or hay wrapped in plastics. The fodder was mainly stored outdoors and the fodder was harvested in nature. Nature is a true larder!

I am so enthusiastic about the possibility we have had this summer to dive into a new plant practice field. These days we teach ourselves about the old customs of harvesting leaves as fodder. The oldest snidel - a knife specifically suited for cutting twigs - found in Norway dates back to the Viking Age, and in some parts of Norway the traditonal way of "lauving" has been practiced continously since. In other parts, this knowledge has been forgotten. At Østreng we study, practice and research different ways of lauving this year, and we will definetely remember this custom for the future.  

Worries about the grass and the growth, the fodder and the winter season make the pleasure of the intense summer weather somewhat ambiguous also at Østreng. The weather and the work we are enjoying invite to reflections about the many long lasting processes at the farm. We need to plan for the future, and still appreciate every moment. The last week's major project of spreading horse compost for future growth has been accompanied by arranging for new arrivals at the farm. Four chicken babies are growing up, a super cozy hut has been installed, and today we were happy to welcome two rabbits; Sprø løk and Eira, to the Østreng family - either for summer holidays or permanent occupation. Never a dull moment! We love processes! 

The last three weeks' super hot summer weather in Norway has left us in a hurry preparing new sheds for the sheep. Shade is needed! A couple of years ago, we were lucky to have a lovely intern from UK building a sheep's den for Sølje and Gullrand in their main sheep yard. The last winter was a little too tough with the original roof, so we had to build a new one now. This new roof should be able to handle snow in the winter, and provide shade in the summer. Paint / stain still remains. The sheep have barely started their summer occupation (alternate grazing with horses), and need a shed in this field as well. Last week we started to improvise a solid sheep tipi made out of recycled materials. The sheep already loves it! Today - on the warmest day so far - the roof is on its way . Progress!

Our lovely sheeps' den, made by @sixforgold 2016. New roof required 2018...

On May the 16th we had a successful clinic with Hanna Engström at Østreng. At the same time as the entire Norway prepared for the Constitution day on the 17th, Hanna guided dedicated riders through breathing exercises with their horses. The sun was heating up the riding arena, the horses and the riders the whole day, and made us fully aware of the summer's entrance. Thank you all for your contributions and a wonderful day!

Sølje and Gullrand did finally give birth to their lambs! A true spring miracle!

We are happy to include Herman and Heidrun, Såle and Olve to the Østreng family. We are looking forward to follow their individual growth. It is fascinating to see how each of them already show their distinct personalities - seven days old.