Winter Blues

Today it is 23 degrees with a wind chill in the single digits. The normal high here today is 52 degrees. I'm beginning to get a little annoyed with this winter weather. I know everyone is suffering this winter and certainly it is far worse in other parts of the country, but I'm still annoyed.

Maybe it's because, for us horse people, winter means we don't get to ride as much, or even spend as much time with our horses, as we do during the warmer months. Caring for the herd is more difficult during the winter months, as well. It's not just turning on the hose and filling water buckets or tanks, no because you have to drain the darn hose and put it inside and then you have to drag it out to use it. Let's not forget that's only if it's warm enough that the pipe isn't frozen. If you live where snow stays on the ground for most of the winter (thankfully it usually melts here, where I live, in a day or two) then it's trudging through snow to get to the barn to feed in the cold. Unloading feed can be a pain in the cold and snow as well. Handling the horses is far more difficult when you're wearing gloves, winter boots and a heavy jacket. Stall cleaning can be a challenge, too, in the winter.

And have you noticed how your horses act during the winter?  They act like they are on a vacation and your job is making them as comfortable as possible so they can enjoy their much needed down time. When you turn them out they gallop around in the snow bucking and kicking then the stop, drop and roll - making snow angels. This is happening while you're dragging the darn hose through the snow, trudging through snow to empty the wheel borrow after cleaning their stalls and your hands are freezing because you had to take them off to be able to lock the darn gait. Of course if the weather is too bad for them to be turned out then they act like children who can't go out for recess. They kick the stall doors and fight with their neighbors just to let you know they are stall wacky and it's only been one day. God help you if you have to blanket one of them some reason (like they are shivering in the cold temps) well where do I start - trying to get the blanket buckled without taking your gloves off? How about trying figure out how they the managed to get the stupid blanket off?

I do have a few things I'm thankful for and that's heated water buckets, tank heaters, insulated boots, gloves and, of course, most of all my horses. That's right winter would be pretty dull without those horses and besides I would never have to go outside all winter. Think Spring everyone!!!