Sorry- one day early for the solstice!
Well what can I say.... it was the coldest day so far. Shortest day and coldest day.
Shortly after I snapped that, it dropped to -38C which is -36.4 F.
I was so bundled up only my eyes were showing as I went to do chores. I have some great cold weather gear, including one of those furry type hats that has ear flaps- love it!
The horses actually did well. Beamer, of course is blanketed and he was sporting his frosty look.
I was wondering if the mares would be shivering, but apparently bellies full of hay- all they can eat- is doing the trick. I was a bit concerned about Velvet because of her earlier shivering episode but nope both mares were fine albeit very frosty.
The mares were being silly at evening chore time. Who plays in such cold weather! Velvet and Ruby of course.
They lost a lot of the frost except around the eyes and nose.
I knocked snowballs off their front feet again. I need the farrier to come trim them as soon as it warms up a bit, probably early next week.
Velvet is at that is -she-or-isn't-she pregnant stage. She's about 4 and a half months since breeding and I am sooooo hoping she caught. For a mare who is going to be 23 in the spring she looks great! I was looking at her pedigree percentages and she is pretty much 100% foundation. Link included for those who are interested in bloodlines. I am really hoping for this foal as it will be completely one from my breeding program- a mare that I raised and my Beamer. And it should be a foal full of personality judging from the parents!
Stay warm and safe out there if you have to go out! This too shall pass.
5 comments:
Last year I got some awesome frosty mule shots, they look amazing with the hair sticking up and frosted.
They just had frosted backs this morning. I imagine they will have lots of frost tomorrow morning.
I am filling up two big feeders tonight with hay.
It is amazing how well they do in the cold and snow. I saw an interesting article about it today, based upon piloerection, the hair follicle standing up and creating a sort of convection.
Looks like one happy frosty solstice! Velvet is the same age as our Harmony. Best wishes for your full circle breeding program.
I can't believe how cold the temps are in the western part of North America. It's awful. I think horses do better where you with a dry cold then here where it is often so wet. And a full belly is the way to deal with it.
brutal this week! Glad you still have all the warm gear and protocols for Alberta winters. Merry Christmas!
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