Harassment

The weather is much better today.  We are in the high 20s and the sun is shining brightly.  But after a day of stall confinement, the horses are acting just like bad little boys.

Here's a conversation I overheard between them -

"Paj, quit picking on me!"

"You're getting on my last nerve!"

 "I mean it!"

  "Reggie, go stick your tongue on the gate.

Maybe it will freeze there."

"Okay."

Sigh.

Brr. Just Brr.

First a quick note on the eye stuff, and then we'll move on.  I'm doing well.  I'm on a lifting restriction of 20 pounds, so David is doing the heavy work.  Other than that, and wearing eye protection in the barn, it's business as usual.  The cold weather sure isn't business as usual.

Boy, is it cold.  It was -4F(-20C) when we got up to feed this morning.  It's still -4.  We're looking at -5 tonight, and a warmup to 15 tomorrow.  I wouldn't mind so much if it wasn't for worrying about the horses.

Reggie is a tough old guy who's never been sick a day in his life.  But Paj is delicate.  He's had ulcers and colic in the past, and big temperature changes are especially hard on him.  So we do all we can to protect the boys.  Reggie is comfortable in his blanket, and Paj is comfortable in a sheet, blanket and neck cover.  They are stall bound today due to the cold and snow, so we are hand-walking a few times a day.  Paj is getting an ulcer preventative, and I am making "hydro hay" by soaking the hay at extra feedings to make sure they stay hydrated.  They are also getting salts to keep them drinking.  That's about all we can do.  So far, so good.

 Hand walking

 Why, yes I am wearing 2 hats!

And 2 pairs of pants.

And 2 pairs of glasses.

photos by Dave