Today started out with frosty windows and chilled to the bone temps – then, we started burning weeds in the driveway at our original facility! We had a lot of old wood we added to the burning pile. Soon, I was regretting the flannel lined jeans I’d grabbed at 5:30am…
With the help of amazing friends, we got DH1 tidied up and kept the fire burning all day (we call in for permission and call back when we finish). The rains this year were often and dramatic and weeds went wild at both facilities! It’s almost 4:00pm and I’m watering down the embers, raking and soaking, raking and soaking. You can see smoke spirals coming up from other places, it was a clear, still day and neighbors are on the same mission we are.
The work is never ending. In between outdoor chores, I got Thank You cards in the mail to donors. I ran back to DH2 to do Dream Cat’s treatments and check Hubba’s hoof boots (still on, pleased about that!). It will get cold again tonight (low 30’s) and even colder (20’s) next week. But the horses have winter coats, heaps of hay and good shelters to choose to use, so, we won’t blanket them all… yet. If the temperatures get too low, it gets windy or we get moisture, we will put their rugs on.
Now, myself, I need my flannel lined jeans lately (with the exception of tending “bonfires”!). A dear soul gave heated vests to Mark and to me – a miracle for us for winter. I’ve already worn mine!
I’ve lived in cold places, hot places, wet places, dry places, always with horses. I rode colts off the track in Florida in my teens; lived in Boulder, Colorado with only a motorcycle or giant horse van for transport through a winter (moved to New Mexico after that); I lived in southern Arizona with my horses when the days stayed 114 degrees or more and nights cooled to a disappointing 98 degrees… I’ve lived at a family estate back east, in a very tiny cottage on the mountain and in a shack (I’ve even lived in a pasture with my horses). The real consistency in my life has always been horses and being responsible for them.
So, no matter the weather, Mark and I make each day as comfortable as possible for these equines. We miss driving an hour north to the hot springs to soak… that stopped during covid and now, we can’t find time to do that again. I think we need to. Hot Springs heal mind and body… It is especially wonderful in the winter! Hmmm… some needed human comfort, methinks! I like being too warm better than being too cold!
Stablewomen 