I had a special treat today. I rode Jan's Appaloosa Lakota. Jan has 3 horses. Zan is living with us for the winter, and her other 2 are at a really nice barn with an indoor arena. It's even heated! Lakota has started his Second Level work. With Jan, he's confirmed in shoulder-in, haunches-in, counter-canter, and has even started half-pass. With me, it's walk-trot-canter and leg yield. He's very pleasant under saddle, and very easy to ride.
Lakota and I
But now the storm is here. It's snowing, and the temperature is falling like a rock. It's 9F right now, and it's expected to be -5F tonight. The horses are snug in their stalls and dressed in their warmest blankets (Ok, they have layers of blankets on) but still I worry. Let us all get through this bitter cold safely.
We've had the nicest December I ever remember here in Colorado. It's been in the 50s, and very close to 60. But as we walked to the barn this morning, it was clear that we're in for a change.
The forecast is for a high of 29 tomorrow with snow and patchy freezing drizzle. Total snow accumulation is expected to be 4 to 8 inches. Friday's forecast calls for a high of 15 and a low of -2. Winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts around 35 mph means the wind chill will be around 20 below zero.
The boys will be staying inside the barn.
As we walk to the barn in the early morning light, I love to look at the beauty of the day. One of my favorite sights is this ranch on the horizon. Some days the trees look like they are floating.
At the barn, I turn and look back toward the house. The moon is so beautiful I regret not watching the eclipse. But there are horses to feed in the morning.
I am glad the days are getting longer; we had an extra minute of daylight today. But I will miss the early morning light.
Isobelle Golightly, the blogging goat, has a Little Problem. The Little Problem is named Nigel. Isobelle thinks the mini horse is a pest. I think he needs a job. Here's some possibilities -
He could be Santa Claus Mini
He could be a Gingerbread Man Mini
He could be a draft horse mini
The possibilities for mini employment are endless, even in this down economy!
To visit Isobelle, Nigel and their friends, click here.
If you're a horse nut like me, this is a great parade. Except for high school bands, it's all horses, horses and more horses. We had been enjoying very warm weather, but it was in the thirties with a vicious wind. Brrrr! Boomer munched hay in the trailer while we got ready.
David held the shafts while Bob attached them to the surrey. Diana and I shined up the surrey with Lemon Pledge. Bob decorated Boomer in classic sleigh bells. David and I wore our MND wrist bands in support of Janet's fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease (click here).
We hitched Boomer, loaded Gossy up,
and waited our turn.
It was fun to see the festive carriages -
After the parade, we headed home, tired but happy.
Perhaps Gossy had visions of sugarplums. Or of Cliffie.
Boomer had a long day at the beauty shop. This morning I trimmed up the long hairs on his muzzle, bridle path and ears. Bob and Diana came this afternoon and gave him a bath.
The wash cycle -
the rinse cycle-
the sweat scraper cycle (removing excess water) -
and the blow dry cycle -
That's Bob on the front foot and Diana on the back.
After all the primping, we put Boomer in a wool cooler lined with a scrim sheet and shut him in his stall, just to make extra sure that he is completely dry. Tonight he will wear his heaviest blanket, just to make extra-extra sure that he is warm and dry.
Ah, what a weekend for The Big Red Dog! On Saturday, Clifford invited a Doberman Pinscher named Dee Dee over. Dee Dee was born deaf, thus her name Dee Dee (deaf dog). She brought along her humans, Roberta and Bill. Roberta happens to be our small animal vet, and a very dear friend. Unfortunately, Dee Dee was less than impressed with our Clifford.
Sunday Clifford's true love Gossamer came over along with her humans, Diana and Bob. Gossy is a Borzoi. She doesn't care that Cliffie comes from the other side of the tracks.
Clifford, what a beautiful head you have...
and such a lovely ear...
this ear is lovely too!
Shall we indulge the humans? They wish to play with us..."
