Actually the temps are getting better but my gosh.......these single digits ever since 2010 started, are getting really old. Thank goodness summer is on it's way or so it will seem like it. Temps are supposed to be in the 40's and even up to 50 this week. Oh my....we will all be doing the happy to be warm dance. In the meantime it's been a challenge to keep the horses watered and happy.
My wonderful husband Joe has been the main caretaker of the water trough for all but yesterday. I got home before anyone else and braved the cold to feed and water my beloved equines. Did I mention it is cold outside? The trough was all ice except for a hole in the middle about the size of a large dinner plate. I donned my leather gloves and tried with all my might to break more of the ice off with the metal pole we keep for that very reason. Needless to say I was not successful so I filled it up completely with fresh water.
I had noticed that when I first pulled into the driveway after work Dakota was lying down. Not a big deal, horses lie down often. But when I went into the pasture Jones was the only one nickering and running toward me for her sweet feed. Dakota was lying down in another part of the pasture. I called him, whistled and did all I usually do (and don't have to do normally because he is up my butt for his feed) but he still kept lying down. Finally he got up and trotted over for his dinner.
When Steph and Joe got home from her physical therapy appt in town, I told Steph about her horse. She immediately went to check on him. He was lying down in front of the barn. She didn't know what to do so I told her just get him up. She got him up but she said "Mom, he sounds like Black Beauty did when he got sick after drinking too much cold water after his trek to get help for the Misses." All Black Beauty fans know exactly what I am talking about. I was a bad horsie mama because I didn't have any Bute on hand at all. I had completely forgot we had used it all. All I could do was assure her that he would be OK and that he prolly had a cold due to the extreme temps lately.
I am happy to report that he is up and eating normally this morning. I am getting ready to text Steph at school so she can rest assured her baby is fine.
I have a feeling that I won't be the only one doing the happy to be warm dance this week. My four legged friends will probably be galloping around, tossing heads and kicking up their heels.
Thank goodness.
11 comments:
I don't know what is worse, the cold you're having, or all the rain we are getting! I think I prefer the cold. We had some freezing days around Christmas too, and all the pipes froze at the stable. It was a mess for a week. Hang in there!
One reason I don't have horses is because i would feel so bad in the winter. I swear I"d try to figure out a way to bring thm in the house..hah
Dancing over here......
You may be doing it already, but count the manure piles. That's one way I make sure our horses are OK.
Is there a possibility of running an electric line to their water trough? The floating tank heaters work great.
Dan
Yesterday Houston was in a good mood because the weather was beautiful again.
I hope that he is okay. It is cold here too but a warming trend is due for which I am grateful.
I look forward to seeing pictures of you this weekend, out with the horses galloping around, tossing your head, snorting, and kicking up your heels.
I hope the horsey is OK!
Thanks for your comments, things are more hopeful than they have been in a long time;)
Hope the horsey is feeling better. I know weather can wreck havoc on animal care, especially livestock, that is for sure!
Stay warm and cozy out there!
Hope Dakota is feeling better. I hate it when animals get sick.
It's a good thing I don't have horses. Talk about cold. It dipped down to -20C here in eastern Canada. I imagine horses in this climater are kept in heated barns most of the time.
I'm glad to hear that Dakota is feeling better. It's very sad when our animals are sick.
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