I spent about 3 hours at the barn this afternoon. Im out there every single day because the barn owner does not clean. Most of the boarders dont either! But, I clean every day. Dressed with Cuddle Duds under my jeans and sweatshirt, then my puffie jacket with a hood, my ball cap under that, heavy wool socks, and lined gloves, I felt prepared. Brrr... it was cold when I first got out of the car! I was thinking Ive really turned in a wuss since last winter. Once moving around, warmth returned! All the poop since yesterday was cleaned out of Tucks pen, his nice shavings in his stall were re-arranged (not going to last, though...lol), his water tubs re-filled as well as his Nibble Net hay feeder with some nice timothy. The Nibble Net is a slow feeder which makes him work at getting the hay out. In addition to the alfalfa he eats, the grass hay should help to keep him warm. For those non-horse peeps....the process of digestion is actually what keeps horses warm. Blanketing typically just makes the hair coat lay down, which renders it non-insulating and non-protective to rain and snow. However, if it gets really windy and closer to zero, I have a great winter blanket for the Painting Horse. I also have a couple of waterproof sheets and was contemplating putting one on him, but decided against it. I think he will spend this chilly night totally inside his stall, laying down on the nice shavings bed. His tail was full of shavings today, so I know hes enjoying the comfort. Tuck cant wait to get out when I arrive, so that is always what I do first....get him out of his stall. Today, I hand-walked him while he found some bits of nice green short grass which he searches for. Its kind of like having a large dog pull you on the end of his leash! After that I put him in the arena and he walked from one end to the other and then hassled the gelding who is in with mares on the drylot adjacent to the arena. I cant have him in his stall/run when I am doing anything there because he is too much help! Lastly, I shoveled five wheelbarrow loads of wood chips and spread them in his run, which is 12X36. With the moisture coming, that area would be messy mud without them. Bringing Tuck back in, he proceeded to go directly out into the run, pee and poop in the freshly laid woodchips. No painting today for obvious reasons...lol! I have some strategies for how we may continue to paint through most of the winter. So, new works will be coming along!
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 03:56:52 +0000
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