On the morning of April 21, with spring already nearing its end on the calendar.
Even after waking up, the white vapor of one's breath was still clearly visible.
And lately, rainy days had been in the majority.
If not for the breeding fees steadily coming in from other farms, along with the large sum raised during the syndicate offering at the start of the year, this year would probably have been especially difficult.
Even so, nighttime turnout for the foals and their mothers had begun after the yearlings.
While bringing the herd back to the stables, Rachel Ho complained nonstop about the Sakuya statue that had just been delivered to the farm yesterday, and they arrived at the pasture on the other side of the asphalt road.
A familiar figure stood alone before them.
Perhaps because the weather was still harsh, there was less fresh grass growing in the pasture than usual.
Still, Sakuya happily worked her lips, nibbling away at the newly sprouted grass in small bites.
"You're certainly full of energy, Sakuya."
After entering the pasture, the first thing done was to stroke the fluffy head of the bay mare, whose winter coat had yet to shed.
The damp sensation against the fingertips was probably morning dew rather than sweat from running, he thought as he turned to look in the other direction.
Although nighttime turnout had technically begun as planned this year, the current weather still seemed a little hard on the foals and yearlings—even Little Light occasionally dozed off during turnout.
When nighttime turnout ended and it was time to collect the foals and their mothers, they often had to walk all the way to the windbreak shelter at the farthest end of the pasture from the entrance.
At the moment, the other mothers were