Cold Rain

I'd planned on taking the camera out tonight during chores to get a few pictures of the horses in snow. We've already gotten about 2 inches of snow and it'll continue to snow until Tuesday morning (so the weatherman says). I didn't get a chance, however, to grab the camera. When I went outside to get Sam started on his beet pulp, Rain was standing in the leanto shivering away.

A year or so after bringing Rain home, he got sick. We thought we were going to lose him. He pulled through but ever since then he's been more susceptible to the weather. I joke about him being a "delicate flower" but in truth his system has been compromised.

During the summer, Rain can't be ridden when the temps hit 80 degrees. In the winter, we have to keep a close eye on him since he can get chilled easily, as was the case today. Rain doesn't like the blanket I currently use on him. Rain doesn't really like the confines of a blanket but perhaps the one I had on him was too small. He prefers his tack/blankets loose.

So I ran back into the house and grabbed a larger sized blanket. Luckily I've been slowly stockpiling blankets. We can always use more since I don't have enough blankets for each horse just yet. I hope to rectify that the sooner the better.

I pulled Rain into the hay barn and let him eat some alfalfa while I threw on the blanket and adjusted it. He was still shivering for about 10 more minutes but with a blanket securely in place and some alfalfa in his belly he warmed up. I guess I'll have to leave the blanket on from now on. I've got blankets on Sam and Rabbit. I guess leaving a blanket on Rain until the spring won't be all that bad. At least then he wont' get chilled as quickly.

So, since I didn't get any pictures of the herd tonight, I went through my files and pulled out some more pictures from our vacation in August while we visited the Black Hills. Although the Hills might be covered in snow right now, it's always nice to see green. I'm already dreaming of a green summer.