My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
Here in New England we are still digging out from the storm . . . with more snow expected over night Another point of reference is Rockinghorse ranch. Some of the smaller ponies are completely submerged. We are expecting wickedly cold temperatures here for the next week. I really don’t like waking up to […]
Read MoreAlthough we’ve had plenty of cold weather this winter (too much), we’ve had practically no precipitation. That’s a problem for our water situation at the Red Barn, where we depend on rain water to fill our tanks. This week the front tank was down to just a few inches of water. Luckily, last winter my […]
Read MoreWe’ve had quite a run of cold weather. Okay, it is Winter and it is New England, but I am getting tired of waking up to single digit temperatures (or worse). Warming up to 16 degrees just doesn’t cut it for me. I’m not worried so much about the horses. They don’t seem to mind […]
Read MoreEvery morning when I turn out Curly, Zelda and Andy they perform a complicated and highly ritualistic dance of power around the flakes of hay (and there are many flakes in many piles). Freedom and Willow are easy. Freedom is in charge so he eats where he wants. Willow understands this. They are perfect pasture […]
Read MoreIn the 15 years or so that I’ve kept my horses at a co-op barn, many of my opinions have changed. When I first arrived, fresh from years of boarding, I tucked my horse into his stall every night swathed in the appropriate blanket for the weather. Now, I’m a firm believe in 24/7 turn […]
Read MoreAndy moved to our barn in mid-November. He’s a handsome older gentleman with a kind, sensitive face and a soft eye. His demeanor belies his size — he’s bigger than Zelda, probably a solid 17″ hands, but he has gentle, almost timid vibe. Andy is impeccably behaved when you are feeding him or working around […]
Read MoreIn my family, all the animals view me as the food lady. A walking Pez dispenser. In the mornings, our three cats watch me carefully, waiting for the flicker of an eyelid that will give them “permission” to beg for breakfast. They never wake me up; they know better. But once I’m awake they are […]
Read MoreWe’ve had rain, snow, and more rain. It has left our paddocks full of shoe sucking mud. Luckily, I’ve pulled the horses’ shoes for the winter so the only shoes getting sucked off are mine! Every year after hunt season, I pull shoes. I hate dealing with winter shoes. Borium is great until there’s no […]
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