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.

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!