I absolutely dreaded the thought of it. Winter had been extremely difficult so far this year and now the local weather man was forecasting several more days of frigid temperatures. We had already had one week of single digit and below zero temps and now we were going to have to deal with it again. UGH! We had had lots of snow in December during which both my husband and I had been ill the entire month. It had made shoveling and other winter tasks that much more difficult. I was not ready for more cold.
During the first cold spell, I had worried incessantly about my 28 year old mare. She had a good thick winter coat, and good weight, but her age caused me to wonder if she would be able to withstand that degree of cold. I have never blanketed her, not really trusting that is the best thing. That old debate among equestrians will probably never be resolved. I am of the mind, that as she gets older, I will probably have to do that; but I didn’t have a blanket for her this year and I have wanted to hold off, if she was doing well without one.
But anyway, with the most recent forecast of the weather, I knew I needed to get out to the barn and make things as comfortable for her as possible. That was what I was dreading this morning. I looked at the forecast again, and knew the temps would be dropping as we moved further into the day. I had almost waited too long. So I swallowed my last bit of coffee and bundled up in my work coat and leather gloves to go get the job done. As I headed out the door, I could feel the wind strongly blowing and I knew I made the right decision to not wait a moment longer. It was not going to get any warmer as we moved further into the day, which would typically be the norm.
It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies and the sun was glistening on the mountains. Juliee was frisky and happy to see me. She was following me around like a little puppy dog as she so often does. I would have to give her a bit of grain to keep her distracted so she wouldn’t be in my way. Hmmm, no wonder she pesters me. She has this old gray “mare” trained well.
I got busy at my job of cleaning out the old pine shavings in her stall. I love it every morning when I go out to feed and I see shavings stuck to her coat, because then I know she has been resting in her stall. I brush them off feeling pleased that she has been comfortable for the night. This is a relatively new thing for us...Oh, not the shavings. I do that every winter. But that she is actually using them is new. I suspect this is due to her age and she is more inclined to stay in on winter nights now than she was in the past.
As I worked, I found myself more and more happy to be exactly where I was, doing what I was doing. I absolutely love hanging out in our barn. I try to absorb the feel, the aromas, and I relive each and every memory that the barn experience brings back to me. It just feels so good to be doing good things for your critters. It still amazes me how much contentment it brings hearing the munch of hay, or watching a splash of the water as my horse tests it before she takes a drink. I love the joy it brings to be outside in our amazing surroundings as I shovel pine shavings and poop! YES! I love it.
I once said to a friend, “I hope I get to shovel manure forever.” “Why???” she had exclaimed, crinkling her face and looking at me like I was nuts. She didn’t get it. I thought it was simple to understand. For one, it meant I had a horse. Two, I would still be able to physically care for that horse. And absorb all the joy that care brings. It would mean I am still alive and so was my horse!
Juliee and I had finally reached a great set-up. I feed her in one barn and have dry warm shavings in the other. I have little to no manure in the barn where she now sleeps. But I do like to put in dry shavings, periodically and that is what I need to do today. Not sure which one of us figured out this is the best solution. But this barn is where she goes when she wants to be out of the rain, snow or cold...and to sleep.
As I worked, I tried to pay attention where any wind might blow through and I found means to block it. This horse was going to be as warm as I could keep her when 0 degrees hit us tonight. With everything ready, it was time for the new dry shavings. They were still in my car. And I was thankful I had thought to start it to defrost windows, so I could easily drive the shavings over. As I opened the gate, I saw a hinge was loose from the weight of the snow, I guess. Spring job for hubby, I noted to myself. But I love this old gate… It just feels so…farm like and nostalgic.
As I spread the shavings, satisfaction filled my soul. Sorry. I don’t mean to sound dramatic at such a mundane task. But it isn’t mundane to me. It is the aspect of taking good care of something you love. Doing the right thing. Working hard in inclement weather. I wasn’t even cold in this old barn. Maybe she wouldn’t be either.
It didn’t take me long; maybe 90 minutes or so. And I found myself wondering why in the heck do I ever think I dread this! What in the world would I be doing if I lived in town and didn’t have acreage. That is the thing to dread. This is something that keeps me alive.
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