Texas Winter

It has been soo cold lately! Okay, admittedly mostly in the 40's - 50's with only one night below freezing, but combine that with constant drizzle/rain for about a week and it seems darn right cold outside! The horses are all in their waterproof blankies, except for Charlie who is a Belgian/TB mare from Canada. When it is really raining and cold, they all stay in and enjoy the barn and extra hay. But otherwise they all do well out in the field, coming in for a few hours twice a day to eat and relax. My favorite part is when they lay down in their stalls - I may not see them do it, but the fresh shavings in their manes & tails gives it away.

I put blankets on the horses over a week ago now - I was hoping to take them off today but it never warmed up like it was supposed to. Even Arwen (my foster horse) took to having a blanket on like she'd had it done a million times (as would be expected for an ex-racehorse). I figured she would, but was extra careful just the same. You never know what might scare a horse or bring back a scary memory for them.

25yo Arthur enjoys his special hot beet pulp every meal. It sets out to soak for the next feeding for about 12 hours, and the water is so cold! I couldn't imagine eating it that way, so before I take it to the barn, I soak it with hot water, and Arthur slurps up every bit. He likes being in panels next to the hay where he can reach between the bars and nibble on as much hay as he'd like. He also has hay in his stall, but he prefers the stuff that is more challenging to get to.

I sometimes look at Sweetie and can't believe that we have been together for 19 years! I wonder what the first 3 years of her life were like, and hope in her mind she appreciates being with the same owner all these years - spoiled rotten! :) I guess she wouldn't know the difference. Her son, Rocky, certainly doesn't - he's been with me since the day he was born 13 years ago. Geez, is he really that old? It seems crazy how much time has passed!

I did get to ride about 3 weeks ago - I hopped on Sweetie and rode in the ring and we had a nice, relaxing ride. I've also given Sammie a few lessons on Arthur since I last wrote. But we humans have had our share of illnesses the last month, and now with the weather, it has been difficult to get out there and ride. Hopefully it will clear up this weekend and we will ride again!