The Winter Post

Winter is here! I know, I am the weirdo who celebrates the cold, but after this past brutal summer, I am happy to see the temperatures drop. We saw snow squalls when we were in New England for Thanksgiving, but we left before the weather turned really nasty. I didn’t get in my annual Thanksgiving hike at the Parker River National Seashore due to rain, but I did hike the historic cemetery next to our inn. I relished the cold, while my husband complained and endured it! Here at our farm, while we don’t have snow, or single digits, we are ending the week with temps dipping into the mid 30’s, after starting the week with daytime highs in the mid 70’s.

Winter is a great time to work on those chores that you have been putting off….like cleaning tack, removing cobwebs or maybe even doing some painting. My priority this winter is to paint my barn doors and trim. They haven’t been done since we moved in 5 years ago, when I painted the boring white doors and painted them dark grey with white trim. The barn is green, not my choice, and the grey really compliments it. I am debating whether or not to use the same grey or to go with black this time. If any of my readers have photos to share of their green barns, I would love to see your color combinations!

If you need inspiration for what to do if you have down time this winter, as well as a list of winter chores you should be doing around your farm, here is a link to my previous blog on winter chores:

And here is another blog, this one on surviving the extreme winter weather:

And I have to include my blanketing blog….boy, has this been a hot topic on TikTok!

At the end of the day, it is your decision whether or not to blanket, but if you board, keep in mind that barn owners absolutely hate blankets with the liner system and don’t be the pain in the butt boarder who writes this kind of request (found in a facebook group!). Honestly, most horses need nothing more in their wardrobe than a sheet, a lightweight blanket and a heavy blanket. If you board, keep it simple and have only turnout sheets and blankets!

My Winnie Award from the Equus Film and Art Festival arrived this week! I really appreciate the support from everyone who is buying my book, recommending it and leaving reviews! Look at just how cute it is:

There is still time to order a copy of Common Sense Horse Keeping from Amazon or if you would like gift bundles or a signed book, head to my website at Expert Horse Care Tips | Common Sense Horse Keeping for deals on the book, blank journals and the laminated resource guide.

Happy Holidays and I hope your season is magical and warm!

Don’t Forget To Hug Your Horse!

Lori