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A Day in My Life: Springtime Edition

Hey everyone! Welcome to my springtime routine vlog. You loved my winter edition, so I’m excited to share how my days have shifted with the changing seasons here in Ottawa, Canada. Spring brings new energy, and my routine reflects that—filled with animal care, outdoor time, and a mix of work and relaxation. Let’s dive in!

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Morning: Coffee and Animal Care

I start my day with a warm cup of coffee, savoring the quiet before heading outside to tend to the animals. Spring means it’s finally warm enough to let the chickens free-roam a bit. They don’t get to stay out all day due to the many predators around, but I let them out once or twice—sometimes three times—daily. These girls did amazingly well through their first harsh Canadian winter, and now they’re thriving, foraging in the fresh spring grass. I open their coop, and they eagerly scatter to explore.

Next, I check on the ponies, feeding them their breakfast. They’ve also weathered the long, cold winter, which lingered into late April with barely blooming trees. The green grass is finally here, but I’m careful with grazing, especially for Cinnamon, who’s at risk for laminitis due to her weight. I’ve set up a temporary pasture using the Gallagher Fence Fast system, which is super flexible for rotational grazing. The ponies get about an hour of grazing daily, slowly easing them into it. I don’t use the solar energizer for electric fencing yet, but the setup works perfectly for now. Long-term, I plan to build a permanent pasture connected to their paddock.

I also check on Cricket, one of the ponies, who had her left eye removed a month ago due to chronic infections. She was already blind in that eye, and she’s doing so much better now—full of energy and comfortable.

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Mid-Morning: Tending to the Animals and Reflecting

After the ponies, I visit Cleo’s grave by the pond, where we’ve placed a small headstone. It’s a peaceful moment, though I’m still heartbroken over Java, my horse who passed suddenly in February at just 11 years old. It’s tough to talk about, so I keep it brief and move on.

Back at the house, I check on Daisy, my six-and-a-half-month-old kitten, who’s growing fast. Her mom, Scarlet, is driving us crazy with her heat cycle—constant howling until we can spay her in June due to additional testing she needed. All the pets are doing well otherwise, and I’m grateful for their companionship.

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Late Morning: Wrapping Up Animal Duties

After about an hour, I bring the ponies back to their dry lot paddock, where an automatic water system (a total game-changer) keeps them hydrated. The chickens, recall-trained with mealworms, come running back to their coop when I call and shake the treat bag. They love those high-protein worms, and I collect their two to three daily eggs. We’re planning to expand the flock soon, so I’m excited to visit a poultry fair next week to find new hens.

Then it’s time for Luna’s daily walk, a 25- to 45-minute stroll that’s as good for my mental health as it is for her. The fresh air and movement are my reset button.

Afternoon: Work and a New Adventure

Back home, I settle in for work. Today, I tackle some admin tasks and film a new class, setting up my recording gear and diving into content creation for a few hours. Lunch is simple—a fresh salad I whip up to keep things light.

Afterward, I head to the barn. Losing Java was devastating, and I’m not ready to commit to a new horse yet. But I’ve leased a 13-year-old warmblood mare named Vitality for a year, and she’s been a blessing. She’s a meter show jumper, though I’m keeping things low-key. In this vlog, I’m jumping her for the first time—only my fourth ride since she arrived at the barn. We’re still getting to know each other’s rhythm, but she’s lovely and therapeutic to ride. I’m considering showing her in the 0.65m jumpers this season, which feels exciting and healing.

Evening: Winding Down

Back home, my husband is dewinterizing the chicken run, removing tarps and wind blocks now that warmer weather is here. I let the chickens out again and spend some time with the ponies, giving them cuddles and ensuring they’re set for the night.

For dinner, we grab takeout—buffalo cauliflower wraps—and do crosswords together, a fun little tradition. Afterward, I settle on the patio with Luna, reading a book for a couple of hours. I can’t recall what I was reading that week, but the calm of the spring evening is perfect.

Wrapping Up

Thanks for joining me for this springtime glimpse into my life! It’s a mix of caring for my animals, embracing new adventures with Vitality, and finding balance with work and relaxation.