Water Troughs

I forgot what it was like to do chores in the dark. I enjoyed the time off and tried to relax (meaning I did nothing but sleep). So my productivity went down the pooper these last four days. Unfortunately it looks like winter will be here this week.

I did get to enjoy a "life quality" moment this morning. When I tromped on out to do chores this morning at 5am, I had the good fortune of a bright, full moon. I enjoyed watching the moon change from a bright white to a bright orange. The moon was absolutely gorgeous. I love doing chores by the light of the moon but getting to watch the moon change colors really made me appreciate chores (even if I was out so early). Every time I would peek around a corner or even look up from watching the horses, the moon would be a different shade of beauty.

I had the forsight to put the water heater in the mare's water trough. Unfortunately I only have one automatic waterer so the mares, Maverick, Longhorn, and the ponies get to deal with ice. I'm hoping to put the mare's water heater on a timer so that I don't have to break open their water every morning and night.

I had to break Maverick's and the mares's water this morning (tested out the heater and it works but I still wanted to break the water open just in case). Unfortunately for me I'm not the brightest person in the world (at least not in the morning). Instead of tromping back to the barn to get my hammer I decided to use my foot. You know where this is going!

Smash, smash, KERSLASH! Right foot soaked! Well, not really soaked but wet enough to be cold and freeze to my coveralls and get my leg wet. That was Maverick's water. Then I went to the mares's water and did the SAME thing. Smash, smash, KerSPLAAASH! And I proceeded to get even wetter. Like I said, not the smartest one but maybe I'll blame the morning!

I noticed the weatherman is calling for a major cool down this week. I'm not sure how the oldsters will handle this change. I'm sure that there will be wind. When isn't there wind in South Dakota? I'm debating on putting Queen, Babe, and Sam in the barn for the night. That way if there is wind, they can get out of it and if it's just cold, they can at least not have the cold air settle on them; they can have a roof over their heads to try and keep some of the chill off.

I think I'll feel better knowing they are in the barn. Sam is simply NOT picking up weight fast enough. If he has to generate enough heat to stay warm how will he ever generate enough fat to keep him warm this winter. I also want to make sure that he's getting enough to eat. So call me a weiny but I think I'll baby them this week to let them adjust to winter.

I will have to do a bit more planning though. With Mike gone this week chores will take me a little longer. If I have horses in the barn, chores will take me even longer yet. But I guess that's the price I'll have to pay to satisfy my concious.