The longest winter

I love winter.  The cold weather has always inspired me, increasing my energy levels when the cold air touches my face.  But I must admit, that even this winter girl is about done!  I tried so hard to keep Nikki going in the face of Jack Frost, but frozen arena footing topped by snow and ice has brought all active thoughts about training to a screeching halt.  Reluctantly I admit defeat.  For now.  My horses' legs are far too precious to risk on the frozen tundra at more than a walk.  At this point with limited turnout due to extreme weather Neither Suki nor Nikki will walk quietly enough to work on the snow.  Although I admit defeat for physically working the girls in the arena, it has not stopped some in hand work out behind the barn when that ground allows, and some fun stretching exercises in the aisle.  I am also taking this opportunity to read, read, read and watch training videos.  And of course daydream.

Suki and Nikki are behaving reasonably well given the weeks of limited turnout.  On Friday they both received a thorough grooming, and had my fingers not started to get cold I would have pulled Nikki's mane.  But I have winter horseman's hands, cracked and dry on the fingers in spite of desperate attempts with some mighty moisturizers!  That usually translates to bloody fingers if it it is cold when I pull a mane.  Current weather predictions show temperatures above freezing later this week so I will seize any opportunity that rears its head!

Saturday was a great opportunity for the girls to be out a good portion of the day in some much needed time out in the big field.  I groomed their legs and faces and picked out their feet so that I would be able to get them back outside as quickly as possible.   We also performed some stretches and I asked both girls to do a few half steps in hand.  Nikki is really beginning to understand this command, although she really prefers to piaffe, as does Suki.

Snow is falling once again as I write this post from my window perch in front of the fire.  This little burst is only expected to produce 1-3 inches of snow, so thankfully just a nuisance which should be cleared by morning.  This morning when I went to the barn the damp air felt like snow was coming but the 22F temperature felt almost warm!  Yesterday's sun produced a slight melt but temperatures in the low teens last night gave the snow covered areas a shimmery slickness.

The snow is falling heavier now so the birds and squirrels are scurrying about eating before taking cover again.  I'm sure there will be fresh deer tracks by morning as well....

The horses were already outside when I arrived at the barn this morning so I just left them alone giving treats and head scratches.  It is rare these days that they have extended periods out in the big field.  Hopefully this new batch of snow won't affect turnout too much!
There was a bit of an incident this morning though..... Levi, a gelding who is turned out in the adjacent field tried to go through the fence to get to Suki.  She is in heat (yes, again!) and I have observed him acting a bit studly at times.  He took a chunk out of his foot prompting a visit from the vet.  He will be fine, but he and Mack will not be allowed in the field right next to Suki and Nikki.  Notice in today's photo that the girls are being kept from the paddock and a top section of the fence is down...

So as the snow continues this evening I continue to read Paul Belasik's book "Nature, Nurture and Horses and dream of good footing and riding soon.....