January is underway

January is one of those months when you just can't plan for the weather.  In the last 24 hours we've had rain, freezing rain and then a blizzard.  The ice and heavy snow have been hard on trees and hydro lines but so far the only loss of electricity at the farm was a short flicker.

The horses stayed in their stalls yesterday during the rain and ice.  Their paddock behind the barn wasn't icy, thankfully there was a good base of snow so they would have been fine to turn out but I didn't want to deal with the wet blankets at the end of the day so I opted to keep them in.  I opened the barn doors so they had lots to look at, it was mild enough to rain afterall, and kept them in hay all day long.  Sometime in the night the rain changed to snow and heavy snow at that.  I had a large deep path to shovel at the back of the barn to access the paddock.  Did I mention the snow was deep?  I wanted to make sure I had a good clear safe path as sometimes the boys can be a bit fresh when I lead them out in the morning.  Well this morning after 24 hours in they were beyond fresh.

Rolo, the old man who's now 20, actually cantered on the spot as I took him out of the stall.  There was a lot of "HERE NOW" and "HEY PAY ATTENTION TO ME" before I got him outside and unhooked the lead shank.  Derby was another story.  I tryed to hold him but with Rolo now racing around the paddock it was, well impossible.  So out when Derby lead shank and all with me smashed up against the wall.  After much swearing, and picking myself up off the floor I then had to try and catch little darling as he trotted around the paddock with Rolo dragging his lead shank between his legs.  Then came Floyd.  He by this time knew I was not in a very good mood, so he at least contained himself long enough for me to get him out of the barn and let him in with the other hooligans.  The paddock is attached to the back of the barn, I'm so glad I got it finished this summer as it means I don't have to lead the horses across the laneway to the front paddock.  Now if they do get away from me as Derby did this morning I don't have to worry about anyone getting out on the road.  Phew.

The rest of the day I worked on painting.  I finished two more dogs.  I can't post a picture as they are a gift and I don't want to spoil the surprise.  I will post photos after the recipient opens their present.  I then worked on drawings for some other commissions.  I'm pleased with how work is going.  I'm getting into a routine now and it's good to have projects on to keep you occupied in the winter.

Now back to the barn to see if the boys are ready to come in for their supper.  They often stand at the back door, watching while I put their food in their bins.  Then when it's time to come in, forget it.  What I need is a pony with an appetite like mine to lead the others in.  The down side of Thoroughbreds, they are not ruled by their stomachs, or at least my three aren't.

Wish me luck.