December 15, 2022
I am in recovery mode. Recovery from the worry of storm prep. The big worry, “will we lose power”. That put me busy preparing the generator. Will the west door be snowed in, then I found the shovel and hung it by the door. The stalls were prepared with hay and water buckets filled to the rim. The wind was rising, the herd came in at 11am. A bit of snow was hurling sideways by the afternoon. The next worry “would I be able to do hay and water in the evening”. I am alone at the barn now. Melanie is visiting her family in England. Maxine and Gert have built a container tiny home next door. But as you know in the middle of a storm they may as well be 10 miles away. Of course the worry as most worries are, came to nothing. In the evening I was able to top up their water, because we had power. I filled their mangers with more hay, gave them a good toss of carrots. I was ready to hit the feathers myself.
I woke to a beautiful white morning and not a lot of wind. Time to release the herd. There is nothing more beautiful or fun to watch, when releasing the herd after their day and night in the barn. Cavorting in the snow, jumping about and rolling. Running with tails in the air and snorting in the crisp air. I left the barn cleanup for Zoe. She had planned to come early in the morning for the turnout. She got to the highway to find that the Millvale Road was not ploughed. All this excitement and entertainment caused me to forget that Wednesday was Black Bin take-to-the-road day. In the morning I am going to try, but I am not sure I can drag the bin to the road in time for the pickup.
I have decorated for the holiday season, not as much as I could or should. It will have to do. I did get some cards away to my international and U.S. friends, that was November’s task. To tell the truth Fiona and putting horses down took the stuffing out of me. It seems a chore to organize and get things done. Last night, as I was doing the chores, it was very cheering , the herd was nickering away as I was giving them water, hay and carrots. In the morning, when I opened the west door for their turnout, there was a grand chorus of nickers.
Last Sunday, Trailblazers organized a “Moms Day”. It was their time to show their mums all the things they learned. Maxine was not allowed to direct, she had to be mum too. They even demonstrated the cleaning of sheaths and udders. That gave me a giggle!! Lots of fun in the stable followed by fun and snacks in my kitchen. The winter season is putting a damper on riding, but Trailblazers are more than welcome to come on Saturdays to help with chores and give the herd lots of hugs and attention. The Smalls and Autism groups will be waiting for warmer weather before they start up again.
My winter tips for feeding. To me water is sooo important, winter time especially. I monitor the outside water tub making sure that they are drinking enough water, We soak their feed and supplements, and each horse gets 4 or 5 big carrots a day. Carrots are 90% water. I love root vegetables, potatoes and turnips have the same moisture content too.
For the winter I use an old rubber hose, rubber is flexible and that is a must in the winter. Kiaya gifted the barn with a metal hose, guaranteed not to kink and it does not go solid in the cold either. But!! There is always a catch, it flattens when stepped on, it does not pop back into shape as a rubber hose would. I am forever taking the hammer to restore its shape to let the water flow. Perhaps next year I will find the funds to buy 100 ft of rubber hose. 2022 is quickly coming to the end, I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year, may all your horses be well.
Try a little kindness!! Love and hugs from Yogi and the Herd.