We have our first snow.
On my way to 'Hill Farm' early in the morning my car struggles to find grip and I am contemplating looking for winter tyres. A pair will do at the front (front wheel drive). People say 'a horse sure must cost a lot to keep' - well, I find that my car is costing me more per month, especially since I have had repair bills (including MOT) mounting to a total of £700 over just the last 3 months! Very kindly the garage lets me pay it off monthly.
There goes my wish to buy 'Mr F' an ionic stable rug, for now. Alas, the stables are open air and he will be in there with his turnout rug anyway, as it is waterproof. The wind does sometimes blow in rainy mist, or like today: snow!
As I turn on the flood light in the stable I find half of 'Mr F's stable covered in a thin layer of snow. Not ideal as it will dampen his straw. When 'Jackie' comes to feed her boys I ask 'Jackie' if we can cover the boarding with that green 'StormGuard' sheeting to stop the worst of the snow / rain being blown in.
It was meant to be covered up anyway, there just hadn't been the time yet. 'I am happy to do it myself or give you a hand. But I would like to do something to keep his stable dry'. To which 'Jackie' replied that it was on the list of things to be done to the stable barn but she just hadn't got round to it yet. 'I have some stormguard left in the shed, let's have a look when the boys are out.' she added.
After 'Mr F' and I have our breakfast I get on with mucking out. It is now almost two weeks of 'Mr F' being in the stable at night. I was wondering if he is actually laying down as I hadn't seen any imprints on the straw. Until this morning. A big, flat imprint. It seems he likes to use the fresh piles of straw stacked against the wall as 'pillows'. I guess its more snug, or easier to get up having something to lean against. I deliberately kept it that way so far, hoping that he might make use of it. I study the imprint and its clear that at some point he was laid out flat before curling up. You can even see where his head and tail have been. It'll be interesting to observe this.
After 'Mr F' and I have our breakfast I get on with mucking out. It is now almost two weeks of 'Mr F' being in the stable at night. I was wondering if he is actually laying down as I hadn't seen any imprints on the straw. Until this morning. A big, flat imprint. It seems he likes to use the fresh piles of straw stacked against the wall as 'pillows'. I guess its more snug, or easier to get up having something to lean against. I deliberately kept it that way so far, hoping that he might make use of it. I study the imprint and its clear that at some point he was laid out flat before curling up. You can even see where his head and tail have been. It'll be interesting to observe this.
As soon as all are turned out, 'Jackie' and I get about attaching the storm guard sheeting. 'Jackie' is afraid of heights and she clearly isn't comfortable up on the ladder and I am equally uncomfortable seeing her like that. Eventually she lets me climb up and I attach the storm guard sheeting on the inside of 'Mr F's stable. It's immediately less draughty. It took us a good hour and a half but it is well worth it and makes a huge difference.
'Mr F's inside of the stable side now covered with 'storm guard'
And so another job done, its time for me to leave and get on with what I have to do.
'Mr F' in the bottom field, 'Rookie' and 'Zac' in the other field.
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