This morning is the beginning of a heat wave. Last night, it was 12F degrees. I went out to the barn before I went to bed to be sure that the girls had enough water and some extra hay to keep them warm. Just when I was getting used to not being able to feel my fingers, the weather is flip-flopping. It's up to 30F degrees already. By tomorrow, they are predicting it will be in the 60’s.
‘Tis the season for colic. Around mid-day, I’ve been offering Silk a bucket of warm water. She likes to drink it while I’m holding it, and at least I know that she’s drinking. One good thing is that the snow will melt today. The girls don’t have their winter shoes yet. We’re not scheduled to put the borium on until the 19th, so I’m hoping that we will get through safely until then. I will dig out the ditch around the barn today because we’re also supposed to get an inch of rain tomorrow- How crazy is that! - and I don’t want any ice to clog it up.
I’ve always said that I love owning horses, and my girls are being particularly good and sweet through all this bad weather. Yesterday, as I was trying to pry frozen poop out of the muck bucket while my face was burning from the cold, I imagined what I would be doing if I didn’t own horses. Drinking tea? Eating bonbons in a cozy warm house? Still when Silk nuzzled my arm after slurping up a full bucket of warm water, my heart melted and I knew that there was nothing better I could be doing at that moment.
14 comments:
Virginia...been there and done that. We are going through the crazy weather too. The heater in my water trough is worth every penny in the winter. While our friends are still in bed, we are out there with our beautiful animals....it makes going inside so appreciated.
Lori
What weird weather.
There are days I think we all wonder what we would do with the time we would have if we weren't caretakers of a horse. I think my time would be a lot more boring, I really am afraid to think about it.
Victoria, we're having similar weather roller coaster down here,although not quite as cold and no snow.
It is warming up today and tonight's low is predicted to be 50 degrees! With THUNDER STORMS tomorrow. Now everyone is talking snow w/in ten days. I am so not hoping for that.
Right now the worst of the chores here is taking horse blankets off during the day b/c of the warm-up, only to have them roll in slightly damp fields and get crusted with mud that has to be groomed off before blankets go back on after dinner for the night's low. And for some reason they all seem to find the one truly mucky spot to go roll in, and then stand in the sun and let themselves bake. I can't quite bring myself to do anything to disturb this cycle, as they seem happy and this seems to be part of what they love about this season.
Glad your girls are staying happy and healthy up there too!!
Yes, this weather is crazy. It's supposed to be near 60 tomorrow! I'm glad your girls are doing well.
I remember that weather alllll toooo well Victoria. All too well. Which is why I am treasuring sitting here in my shorts right now, with the windows open wide and the ceiling fans churning along moving the fresh air! ;)
(OK, you can pick on me come summer again, when I am melting...hehe)
Please give the girls rubs from us, and know we are thinking of you up there in Tundra Country!
This weather is so crazy, but I'll take the warmer temps any day. I'm so not looking forward to rain though. I know that without the horses I would be bored out of my mind, they give us so much pleasure even if they are a lot of work. Glad to hear your girls are taking it all in stride.
Love conquers all, doesn't it?
Well now the weather out here is frightful...and I just came in from taking the first blizzard pictures of the season. Enjoy your heat wave while you can. In this topsy-turvy climate, who knows when the next one will come along.
Wow...talk about extreme! I'm always in awe of how horses (and all critters who live outdoors) can adapt to such changes in temperatures and weather. Do you have de-icers in your water buckets/troughs or do they rely on you brining them water and breaking ice? I have de-icers in my troughs but check them religiously just in case. I dream of heated automatic waterers :)
What would we do if we weren't taking care of our critters? Probably go wild with boredom :)
Your girls are so lucky to have you in their lives!
Lots of squishes to both of them,
Sue
Wheweee! That is some crazy weather you're getting up there, Victoria.
We're getting snow as I type this actually. It's expected to snow up to 8" by tonight. Brrr! It is really pretty though :)
I agree with you about how our horses show us their appreciation, even in a small way, it makes it all worth it.
Just seeing my horse eat with gusto makes me happy because I know she feels good and is enjoying her fresh, green hay.
Yesterday I sat in the barn and was cleaning and oiling some of my tack. Baby Doll kept hanging her head over the stall pipe and blowing on me and making these little moaning sounds. I'd scratch her chin and she'd blow and moan some more. hehe
That little bit of horse affection totally made my tack cleaning so much more enjoyable than if I had been doing it inside my warm, cozy house eating bonbons. lol! :)
~Lisa
New Mexico
In the words of Antoine de Saint Exupery (The Little Prince):
"Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
As is Silk drinking from your bucket of warm water.
Crazy weather indeed! We have had an unusually dry and nice fall so far. Our temps are supposed to drop beginning this Sunday to colder than it's been in 5 years. hmmm, we'll see. They say we may have a very slight chance of snow in the lower elevations, but we hardly ever get it, but it will snow in the mountains which is always good. Your picture is absolutely gorgeous!! I must say that I for some reason I cannot fathom, would really like to see a really good snowstorm for Christmas. That would be one way to cause a slowdown for a lot of folks. Our snow, when we do get it, is more like white rain - very wet and never powder. Oh, well I remind myself that I have nothing to complain about.
Sounds like the end result was worth sacrifice. The things in life that are worth the effort don't seem too mean to much to many. You are an exception. Good days work. Thanks
You forgot that when you drink tea and eat bon bons you are supposed to watch Oprah or Martha Stewart.
You havebeen tagged over at Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch for little 6 Things About Me meme, I hope you can find the time to participate .hznks,
Kim
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