PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER TF Clydesdales’ newest foal, Nova (center) pictured alongside (l-r) Liby, Jace, and Emma Bauer on Saturday, March 22, at their farm located in rural Gladbrook. The sixth-generation farm is owned by the Bauer children’s parents, Katie and Jake Bauer, and their grandparents, Becky and Steve Fevold.

GLADBROOK — Two days after the spring equinox, the vibes were all spring last Saturday afternoon at TF Clydesdales in rural Gladbrook as the youngest generation frolicked with the farm’s newest member — a filly aptly named Nova, Latin for ‘new.’

The farm, located northeast of Gladbrook, is owned by Becky and Steve Fevold along with their daughter and son-in-law, Katie and Jake Bauer. The ‘T’ in TF stands for Becky’s maiden name Thoms, while the ‘F’ now signifies her married name (and Katie’s maiden name) Fevold. Before patriarch Steve’s time, however, TF just meant ‘Thoms Family.’

But it was all about the latest generation, the Bauers’ three children, on Saturday, March 22, as Emma (fourth grade), Liby (kindergarten), and Jace (preschool) ran around with Nova in the spring sunshine under the watchful gaze of Nova’s first-time mom Tessa, a stunning, dappled black Clydesdale.

“My kids are the fifth generation to raise registered Clydesdales on this farm,” Katie explained as she stood under the perfect blue sky in the paddock while her children and horses circled in play. “They are the sixth generation to live here.”

TF Clydesdales is one of only a half-dozen notable Clydesdale breeding operations in Iowa, Becky said, and one of just six across the country dedicated to raising black Clydesdales.

On Saturday, Nova, born on Groundhog Day, was still sporting her fluffy, grayish-brown baby coat. But soon enough, that newborn fluff will shed to black.

Nova’s birth on Feb. 2 went perfectly, Katie said, although most everyone in the family missed it as they were traveling.

“We were actually in Florida showing horses. But [Clydesdales] birth fast — only about 30 minutes. Everything turned out fine.”

As of press time, the farm was still expecting two more foals due around the end of the month. The spring equinox (March 20) is a bit late for the farm’s typical foaling schedule, but still nothing too out of the ordinary, Katie explained.

“We want them on the ground before we get busy and all the mud and constant changing weather. The [breed originates to] Scotland, so the humidity gets to them.’

While they await those last two babies, Emma, in particular, has been soaking in both the early spring days and time with Nova. The little filly seems to possess an exceptional personality, Katie said.

“[Nova] is very inquisitive, and [mom] Tessa is very laid back. Tessa, she just wants to love. So, Nova is very special.”

Much like these early spring days.