.jpg) |
| " Blue " |
As everyone has heard, it is brutally cold here in the
East. Our temps are in the single digits and it’s not a whole lot of
fun. My riding policy is that if it’s less than 25 degrees or over
85 degrees I don’t ride.
On Sunday and Monday I just did the basics of horse care with feeding,
turnout and filling the hay nets. I considered riding Dusty both
days because I had a really warm coat (Mountain Horse) that I had bought last
year and never got to wear. I approached her twice and tried to pet her
and she pinned her ears at me and walked away. Guess she told me in
no uncertain terms she wasn’t in the mood. Really, who can blame
her?
I called Blue a few times and he looked at me took two steps towards
me and turned around and left. Another "no thanks, maybe
another" time from him. So even though I really didn’t feel
like riding, I gave it some effort. Not my A effort, but good enough
in 10 degree weather.
Surprisingly, Donnie and Sami came to the gate. Probably
making sure I wasn’t harboring treats in my pockets. They got lots
of rubs--Sami loves under his chin/neck scratched. He refuses to
leave once you start scratching his itches and practically goes into a trance
with his eyes half closed. He’s so sweet. The truth is I didn’t feel
like working with them because I was starting to frost over and wanted to go
inside. But it was gratifying that I wasn’t turned down flat by all the horses.
When the weather breaks we’ll pick up riding and training
again. Right now it’s just nice to be in a warm house with a cup of
cocoa and a good book. The upside of the cold snap might be that
maybe this year the mosquitoes and flies won’t be as swarming and horrendous as
last year. There should always be a good side to miserable
conditions and that’s the only one I can think of right now while my fingers
and face defrost.
Until next time
Quote for Today
When in doubt, ask a horse.
We're slightly warmer today, so with luck you'll be warmer too in a day or so. My temperature range for riding is about the same as yours, although my tolerance varies by time of day - I can deal with cold better in the morning than in the late afternoon.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThe temps are below 0 at night and we're expecting some more snow by the weekend. I am hopeful for something a little warmer soon. I always try to ride in the morning first thing too while I still have energy and the horses do too. I think we'll be getting your weather in a day or two, it seems to take that long to get here.
Oh my! I guess we all have our tolerance level..I'm about to post about our coldest January ever ( record for Oregon, at least). And it has got 2 digits still.
ReplyDeleteAsk a horse, is a good quote there. I'm sure you made the right decision...that's mighty frigid!!!
When it snows, you should be good to go
Hi KC,
DeleteI didn't have to even ask they just both walked away from me like I had the plague. Very opinionated. We probably would have warmed up but nobody was in the mood. Hope Wa mare is doing well with her rehab and you're riding again.
I'm with you - I just feel like I'm in the middle of the Winter Doldrums at the moment. The weather here is not too bad, just a bit cold, but I can't seem to kickstart myself into a routine just yet.
ReplyDeleteHi Martine,
DeleteI think January and February are the official winter doldrums months. Says so right on my calendar! But we're almost out of it so we should be able to kickstart ourselves into a routine soon.
A efforts are not possible under certain temperatures, excepting dinner, treat and scratch dispensing. Everyone knows that!
ReplyDeleteNot as cold here as you and Kate have it, but considering we were in the 70's last week it's quite shocking to the system. Stay warm!
CFS,
ReplyDeleteI'd take something in the 30's right now. Hope your 70's come back soon. I did notice you wearing short sleeves in your last post. So jealous!
The cold is supposed to start breaking by the weekend...at least here, which is not TOO far from you weatherwise.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think about riding, so kudos to you for being more noble than I. The snow seems to be out of the forecast for us....but perhaps I speak too soon. One never knows.
Toby is similar to Dawn in expressing his clear distaste for being either ridden or worked. He has decided he prefers retirement and lets me know in no uncertain terms. While he doesn't often pin his ears, the "walkaway" is really obvious. Our horses certainly do find ways to communicate when they want to.
Hi Jean,
DeleteDusty is very opinionated and not as lovable as she could be anyway. But she certainly didn't want to be ridden. Neither did Blue but he's not as fresh as she is. It's too cold anyway, the indoor is like a meat locker. I could hang sides of beef in there! I think they are predicting snow for this Friday by us. Hope not though.
Brrrr. I don't blame you for not riding. I won't ride when its below 40 if there is wind or above 90. Stay warm -- hot cocoa sounds like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Annette,
DeleteI won't ride in wind anymore either. Seems something bad always happens when I do.
There isn't much to be accomplished by pushing yourself out there to shiver in the saddle so might as well leave the herd to the hay nets and you to your (yum) hot chocolate!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!
DeleteBrrrr!! I've been watching the weather on you side of the country, it just sounds brutal. I'm glad it wasn't a total shut out with the gang. I can just picture Dusty giving the cold shoulder, funny!
ReplyDeleteWe've been dipping down in the low 20's at night the last couple of days with a pretty good frost in the morning and I was thinking the same thing about the bugs. It never really got this cold last year. Fleas are the concern for me. Hopefully this little cold "event" will help. Obviously it doesn't even compare to what you are experiencing. Hot cocoa and a book sounds nice.
Hi Mary,
DeleteHopefully, we'll have less bugs this year than last because of the cold snap. Hope you and Fred are warm and snuggly.
We've had 30s the past two days but with the wind it feels like 20s, so I haven't ridden either. Cody is off in the left hind right now (no heat or swelling in the leg or foot) so we're thinking abscess, since it seems he doesn't want to weight the heel.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling if it is an abscess it won't blow until the cold breaks, so... for more reasons than one, I'm waiting for the break! Enjoy your cocoa and book!
Hi billie,
DeleteThat seems very cold for your location. Hope Cody feels better soon.
Fagetaboutit. Just too cold lately...and forget that wind.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Lori! My pipes froze in one bathroom today. Now that's cold!
DeleteI have a Mountain Horse parka too, and it's like being in a cozy cave when it gets this cold. Only problem is that I can't move my arms too well. I feel like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Good decision to not ride in this weather. Imagine how hard the ground would be if you had an unexpected dismount. Next week, it's supposed to get up to almost 50. Such a weird winter!
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI like the coat but the sleeves are a little bulky. I hope it does warm up next week. I've had enough of this weather for now.
Oh boy, has it ever been brutal! I even pulled out the blankets for the first time this winter. Fortunately weather.com says it should start warming up on Sunday (20F, heatwave) so we should be getting some relief soon.
ReplyDeleteBrutal seems to sum up this cold snap. I'll be looking forward to the heat wave that's coming soon! Hope you're feeling well.
DeleteThere are a lot of similar winter woe feelings going around. Guess we're all ready for spring! :)
ReplyDeleteI just wish that I were more content to be quiet and curl up in a warm and cozy place, but I'm always wishing and hoping things were different, or that I could be more active and outside. One of these days, hopefully, I will learn to appreciate more of what is. Right now. I think it's because I spend so much time cooped up sitting at work, and when it's slow, time creeps along. I feel caged.
Your cold is much colder than our coldest temps have been. Enjoy reading your book!
Hi Lorie,
DeleteIt's hard to be content in this weather and it is boring to stay inside but we do what we have to. Hang in there you'll be outside soon and riding Eagle I'm sure.
I would really like to ad your blog to my reading list, but can't seem to locate the link to join. Am I blind? (Highly possible)
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI'm not too computer literate so it's possible you can't locate the link because I may not have it up. When I add blogs to my list to read and follow I just highlight the name of the blog and copy and paste it into the space where it says to follow blog. Or I'll just type in the www.greyhorsematters.blogspot.com (for example). Don't know if this answers your question but I hope so.
I love your banner picture of Blue.
ReplyDeleteWe're having the same cold weather here in Nova Scotia - I feel for you! I took the last week off from riding, and I don't think I've ever done that before - maybe a day here or there, but never a week. Either it's a longer cold snap, or I'm getting older :)
Your Mountain Horse coat sounds like just the ticket. At least you'll look good while you freeze :)
Hi Carol,
DeleteThanks, we think Blue is quite a handsome guy. I hear you about the cold. I feel that if I'm too cold to ride the horses probably don't feel like it either. My coat is warm but I don't know how good I look in it. It's very bulky so I look like the Pillsbury Dough boy!
I enjoyed our rare below zero weeks (while not riding of course!) but now that it's warmed up, it's all ice and mud. I'll just sit in here and sip my coffee and wait for it to melt and dry up - or snow again!
ReplyDelete- The Equestrian Vagabond
Hi Merri,
DeleteI think the mud is the worst part when it starts to warm up.