Monday, January 3, 2011

Year of the Horse

Yes, yes, I realize that according to the Chinese Zodiac this is going to be the year of the Rabbit, but according to MY calender it's going to be the year of the horse. Not just the horse, the sound horse.

I can think of at least three other bloggers' horses, Gogo, Lilly, and Laz who had a really rough 2010. Then there's SolitaireMare who lost her beloved Rugby and her Monty in 2009. I'm sure there are more that had a horrible year.

2010 sucked for so many people, which can only mean that 2011 has to be great right?

So, welcome to 2011, Year of the Sound Horse!

In other horse related news, I finally have a new computer after having to start mine in Safe Mode for almost 5 months to even get it to turn on, it finally died during the flood. RIP dear Sony Viao, you served me well. We ran to Best Buy and the had a really nice computer with loads of memory and a fast processor for $399.00 The lady didn't know why it was so cheap, all she knew was they got 7 of them in, there was 1 left and it was only 11am. SO, I bought it. Gulp. (Note: Dear Denali please remain uninjured for at least two months-thanks, mom.) This means I no longer need to borrow my husbands to blog, or do work on (see which one I see as more important and mention first ;0)

Yesterday I had to work at the Giant Warmblood Barn. I don't know how you guys keep horses at your house. Especially if you keep horses in the Northern states. Brr. It's cold out!

 I had the fun task of breaking the ice off of 46 buckets. No, I'm serious. It was fun. Crow bar in had I went from horse to horse visiting and breaking off the ice if they had any and throwing it into my giant bucket. It was repetitive and soothing. Warm horse breath on my neck and bashing things. Two of my favorite things!
When I got to one of the new horses, I knew right away that something was wrong. Her owner or someone hadn't put the straps through her stable blanket and it fell off and looked like a giant bib. It had somehow got wrapped around her leg and she couldn't stand up or move.

I always get nervous around horses I don't know. Especially horses who are wrapped up in blankets and have a distressed look on their face. I knew I couldn't leave her like that so I grabbed her halter and put it on and told her to stand still. She let out a huge sigh, and it made me feel a little better, like she wasn't planning on killing me when she was free. I took the blankets off and bundled her back up in a different blanket and left her to her grain. She seemed happy to be free.

How do you stay warm in this weather?? I wore kitchen gloves (the kind you use when you wash dishes) when I did the buckets and my hands stayed pretty warm. I'm glad I had them.

16 comments:

Dom said...

Year of the sound horse. I like the sound of that.

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Haha Kitchen gloves..but hey that may work! I wear layers upon layers and my new Lands End coat is SO warm and down filled!
2010 SUCKED but also was good b/c we didn't lose..we still get to fight towards year of a sound horse. I like it! :)

Anonymous said...

Silk long underwear, lots of layers, head/face/ear protection, gloves insulated with performance materials so they're thin and flexible but warm, insulated boots, insulated riding tights, etc. And don't forget warm, fuzzy horses!

Wishing you a much better 2011!

in2paints said...

Woohoo!! Here's to 2011... the year of the sound horse!!

Bashing icy buckets sounds like great therapy to me! I used to do a lot of it back in the day but I wasn't as stressed out then so it didn't seem quite as therapeutic...

Kitchen gloves are a great idea! When it was super cold here my gloves kept getting wet when I was doing water buckets and my hands were freezing.

eventer79 said...

The things I love most about the barn we are in now is GIANT HEATED BUCKETS. Everywhere. Love. Love love love. Did I mention I love them?

PS I vote yes to Sound Horse year!

Jen said...

Where I am (up in Canada) we're having a week of about -30*C. Just wear everything!! Should keep warm.

And hoping that you get your Year of the Sound Horse.

Barbara said...

Kitchen gloves is a great idea! I use foot warmers, I have much more tolerance for cold if my feet are warm.

Sarah said...

LOVE your year of the sound horse...AMEN. We were very lucky in that respect, but of course that's all it is...luck, which can change.

As far as staying warm? Yeah, a good quality coat is imperative. Also I love those fleecy headbands that cover your ears. Neck warmers. Vests. Layers Layers Layers:)

Becky said...

I can't wait to hear all the GOOD things 2011 has in store for you & Miss D!! :) Here in Florida we wear long sleeve shirts. SOMETIMES we even wear jackets... but usually that's pretty sufficient. I get side eyed at my barn for not blanketing monster pony in the winter. But HELLO! It's Florida - she was a wild mustang in WYOMING. Pretty sure she can handle a 35 degree night. lol

Unknown said...

Year of the Sound Horse... I'll have to tell that to Panache too ;) We've had enough un-soundness over the last year and a half to last us for good! I think I'll quite complaining about my cold weather now. Lows in the 20*s is nothing compared to y'all crazy people!

Jess said...

We definitely had a heck of a 2010 - but so far, so good and I will be praying with you for a SOUND 2011 for all of us!!!

(http://designerhorses.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-recap.html)

SprinklerBandit said...

Really really hot showers when you come home. I find that helps...

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

Panache!! I knew there was another horse who had a hard time. Also Pia... Is there a horse who didn't?? Yikes!

Here's to 2011

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

Egads!! Jimmy Choo also had a horrible year!! Yikes!!!

Achieve1dream said...

Cool I never thought of using the dish washing gloves. Good idea!

I'm glad the mare tangled in the blanket is okay. That was a scary situation averted. Good job!

I agree that 2010 wasn't a great year for a lot of people. I really hope that 2011 is really great for all of those people who had it so rough.

Oh and for staying warm the long silk underwear (like long johns but silk) are great! They feel so good against the skin and aren't bulky like long johns. :)

Andrea said...

Yes of the sound horse.... YES.