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Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider

Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider
Click on Logo (Original artwork by Lanie Frick for Messick Quarter Horses. Not permitted to be copied)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

HT Photo Challenge "COLD"

We are definately snowed in....


The Horsetales Photo Challenge word was "COLD". I submitted the photo of the frozen eyelashes on one of the horses. Later in the day, they were rolling in the snow!

Well….the blizzard hit last night. According to the weather station, a blizzard is a snow storm with 35 mph winds and less than ¼ mile visibility for at least 3 hours. The wind was howling all night at 45 mph. We had at least 8" of snow by 4 pm yesterday, with more falling. With the high winds, I wonder if there was going to be any snow left or all in huge drifts.

This morning was bright. The wind had decreased to 25 mph. I didn’t think to look out the east windows. As the sun was rising, sun dogs were visible. I’ll need to always look out my east windows on mornings after a snow when the air is still crisp. The crystals of the moisture in the air, combined with the rising sun, caused the bright lights that were streaming vertically to the ground.

This morning’s temps were in the single digits, with minuses coming tonight. Even though the wind had decreased, my cheeks were very cold when the west wind belted us as I rounded the corner of the tree line.

I had 12-18” of snow to walk through to get to the barn door.


Other areas had 3’ foot drifts, so not bad.



I think that all of the tree lines help to control drifts. Checking on the driveway and road that ran past my acreage, I knew the 2 miles to the highway would be drifted in. My husband didn’t make it home last night as he had to stay at work late. He stayed with friends in Lincoln, 15 miles away from home. I wonder if he will get down our road if the road grater doesn’t plow today. Actually, I had hoped that the north wind would have blown the snow straight past my driveway, which it did. But the areas on each side of the driveway had at least 2’ of snow. I used my 4 wheel drive truck to break up the snow, driving back and forth a foot at a time. We really need to get a bigger tractor that can blade or a plow on my truck!

My driveway is under there somewhere!

Horses were actually playing in the morning coolness.

Go figure! Frigid air and they were running around. Starlet even laid down and rolled! I think she was trying to get her wintery blanket off her back.


The crusty snow on the horse’s back is actually an insulation for the horse, and should not be removed if the horses are going to be left unblanket. Once you rubbed off the snow, the hair gets wet and the horse could become cold.


The horse's eye lashes were frozen!

The only problem this morning was that the water tank crusted over.

The horses had kept drinking enough to make a small opening, but I had to break through 1-2” of the frozen top. As I broke the ice, all of the horses came to drink.

The water heater should keep up with warming the water now, as the wind is decreasing, and wind chill is less.

The horses were staying warm, digging their heads into the round bale.

Later in the morning, they were sunning themselves. I think they are warm now!

5 comments:

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Oh wow! 8' of snow?! I'm surprised your drifts weren't even higher with snow that deep. Funny how the horses seem to thrive when they can get out in the cold and snow, eh?
We had the blizzard the night before last with wind gusts up to 80 mph. I thought my house was going to take flight. Even my bed was shaking. We also had snow thunder and lightning, which is always so strange this time of year and kept me up for several hours.

I'm glad the storm has moved on but the midwest and eastern seaboard will be getting it next. I don't envy them at all. I hope everyone stays safe and warm.

~Lisa

Horses Are Our Lives said...

oops, I meant in the earlier blog 8 INCHES, not feet! lol I've been adding more photos, and didn't know the blog would be published as I edited and added more pics!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Well that explains a lot. lol! I'm glad you didn't get 8' feet of snow. What a challenge that would be. I know folks in Maine are used to snows that deep, but most folks aren't. (thank goodness!)

No, no shingles lost. Most mountain living folks up here have Propanel metal roofs, heavy tile roofs or flat roofs, like we do.

~Lisa

small farm girl said...

I love watching the horses when it cold outside. It's like someone gave them coffee or something. They just have soooooo much energy. Now if only I could have that much energy when all I want to do is burrow under the covers.lol

Pony Girl said...

Crazy! I didn't know about the snow being insulation, good tip. Looks like you had a lot of work around the place thanks to the blizzard. I hope your hubby is able to get home soon! Stay safe and warm!

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