White knuckling in the winter woods

Harley had not been worked in about a week. Our farrier was due to come Sunday, so I pleaded with John that we get in a ride between or before the rain showers. All the horses are feeling good, and downright sassy! Note Harley leading the charge down into the field.

A wet, fuzzy guy

Saturday dawned cloudy with threatening skies, but the rain held off enough for us to get chores done as well as some last-minute grocery shopping before Christmas. By the time we arrived back at the barn, dusk was closing in on us. Mind you, this was on the Solstice, so those precious daylight minutes were fast disappearing.

Logging work has begun at the end of Thurrell Rd. where a new house lot is being cleared. We could hear chainsaws and chippers not too far away. This had Harley prancing down the street, just looking for something to invoke a spook. But I was ready--sitting up, feet out front, ready for a whirl. Without Rolex leading, we probably would have spun for home. Our next obstacle was the snowbank by the road, but both negotiated it with ease, better than last year. My fuzzy friend was a handful and I asked John to please keep our trots under control as I could feel Harley pulling on my hands. John said, "Bridge your reins!"

The fast girl--Ruffy!

We rode a loop out through the woods behind Skinner's, and across the brook towards Jepson. The fast-fading daylight had me a little concerned since we had some road riding at the end of the ride. Rolex made the decision to take a short cut (almost the right way) that would take us back to the old quarry and behind Hank and Lili's property. Riding up between the granite cut, we saw signs of porcupines where they'd scuttled out from their rock den. Something spooked the horses in the woods, quite possibly deer. Back on the trail behind Skinner's, Harley jogged along, nice and sweaty along his neck and shoulders. Good thing I had the cooler ready and waiting.


The days will be getting longer now--each minute promising a bit more daylight as we inch along through winter. A snowy winter promises clean horses as they take their snow baths each morning, starting the day with a nice roll. They all seem happy and healthy so I won't complain, except when we get freezing rain and the icy footing.

Today began with steady rain--I could hear it pattering in the gutter. So I wasn't in a tremendous rush to turn the horses out. But I knew Rolex would be anxious to get going, so I didn't dally too long. The rain seemed to come and go and a cold breeze blew across the fields. I decided to put on the rain sheets while I cleaned stalls and waited for our farrier, St. Butch. Rolex had a hissy fit, kicking and shaking her head while I blanketed Ruffy, as if to say, "Would you hurry up! I want to get out, and I mean now!" She wasn't happy to be turned out second. Then Butch called to cancel. He had freezing rain up his way. So I decided to take my time and draw out my hours as long as possible, keeping an eye on the weather and the horses. Rolex has decided to make a toy of our shelter and torn a big hole in one side--she wanted a window. I witnessed her sticking her nose in said hole yesterday! Everyone was happy to eat hay, although Vance got pushy and began to swing his hind end around to hog the hay for himself. We tried to provide enough options for everyone, but it's always a game of musical horses as they move from one source to another, driven by whoever is vying for king of the herd position.

After I got the stalls done and the lunchtime mash made up, I decided to treat myself to a hot chocolate down at Dunkin' Donuts and to check out the logging operation down the road.

By the time I returned to the barn, the rain had picked up with an added bit of icy patter and the wind had moved into the northwest. The gang seemed happy to come up when I whistled, ready to come in out of the elements. With only about and hour and a half of daylight remaining, I figured they could come in for the night and I wouldn't need to take a slippery ride back in the dark on icy roads.

With the horses snug inside with steaming mush and lots of hay, I headed for home, the wood stove, and a cup of tea.

January Thaw

The annual January thaw is upon us. While most people relish the warm temps and melting snow, I'd prefer the numbing dry cold. Forty degrees and rain feels colder to me--it sinks into the bones and can only be cured by hugging the wood stove. Thaws also mean ice, my nemesis around the barn. The horses slip, I slip, the wheelbarrow skids. And if you want to ride, the only place left is the boring road! Bring on the snow--I"ll wait for the thaw to occur in March, thank you very much!

Rolex and Ruffy enjoying winter

The horses don't mind the dry cold either. It just gives them a reason to prance out of their stalls and kick up their heels every morning. If I stand there long enough watching them, I'll get cold, but barn chores, like shoveling and sweeping, etc. seems to keep the blood flowing enough, even to my toes (with the help of toe warmers). I'll actually peel layers off! So when people complain about the cold, they just need to get out and enjoy some activity.  If I need to warm up my hands, I can run them along Harley's fuzzy neck and let him breathe on my fingers as he searches out carrot bits. I'm toasty in my insulated overalls, long underwear, and wooly layers--warm enough to pause by the manure pile and gaze up at the glittering night sky overhead.What a wonderful time of year for stargazing--the cold makes the air seam all that much clearer.

Last week, on a sharp, clear night, I didn't have the stalls cleaned until after dark. Usually the horses wait up by the gait for me to get them. When I walked out to the pasture, something spooked them and they took off down the hill. After repeatedly calling, whistling, and bucket-shaking, I had to post-hole down the hill to round up at least one--the others would follow, or so I thought. First I got Ruffy, but she got "stuck". Her buddies stood by the fence, snorting and watching the woods. She would not go up the hill without her friends. Then I tried to get Rolex--hah! She was too busy trying to keep an eye on the woods. And Harley, well I threw a rope around his neck and held on. They continued snorting, blowing, and peering into the dark woods. Once I convinced Harley to come up the hill, the girls followed--at a canter. Everyone tried to get through the gate at once as they jostled each other for the safety of the barn. I think there might have been a coyote or two out there--possibly hunting for something to stave off the bitter cold descending into the woods.

My fuzzy guy

This weekend might be a washout as rain moves in with the rising mercury. A freezing rain is predicted for tonight--the worst kind of precipitation. I let the gang take turns wandering around the barn aisle while I mucked stalls. Each one has a different take on this situation.

Harley: Oh, I can walk around and bother everyone. Shucks, she shut the aisle door to Vance and Gator (He gets stuck there). Maybe I'll go help Rolex eat that pile of hay in front of her stall. Better yet, I'll just eat her leftover beet pulp/alfalfa mash. Hmmm.....what that outside. If only I could see through that crack in the doors better. Hi Ruffy, ok, ok, I can take a hint! Can I come home now, Mom? Is my stall ready?

Ruffy: Oh my--is this allowed? Can I walk around out here without a human on the other end? Hi Rolex--oh never mind, you cranky redhead! I'll go see Harley instead. Hi Harley, what are you doing in there? Wanna come flirt with pretty me? (Sniff sniff, squeal) I think I should be in the crossties when I'm out here--this is too confusing.

Rolex: Ahh, free at last! Who should I go bother first? Hi Ruffy, can I eat your food? No? Awe, come on? Yours is better...OK I'll go see Harley. Hi Harley, what's up? What are you doing with your teeth on the stall door? Why do you do that? Can I come in and play--dang, the stall guard is up. Let's see, what else can I get into. Maybe I can push the broom with my teeth and help Lisa? Oops, that didn't work. Oh, what's that under her vest? CARROTS! Yippeee! Ooops, I knocked them under the stairs. Hmm, stairs, can I go down those? Well, maybe not tonight. BONK--hey, what's that bucket doing there? I just hit my head on it! No worries, it's still hanging. What are you doing in that stall, Lisa? Filling my hay net--oh yummy! My favorite edible toy--eat some hay, swing the hay net, eat some hay, swing the hay net. I think the US Equestrian Team ought to have a mounted tetherball team--I'd be awesome at it! 

And so ends another night at the barn. All are snug in there stalls, with lots of hay and beet pulp mash for dessert. We'll see what Mother Nature has in store for us this weekend. I could always clean my tack!