Survived the Ice Storm

We survived the ice storm with little damage. Luckily we only lost power for about three hours but I think that was to repair the lines somewhere else. We weren't like others who were out of power for 36+ hours. This was a crazy storm! At Borderlands, we received almost 6 inches of snow. In our temporary pasture in Madison (at Mom and Dad's), they received about 8 inches of snow. One of our volunteers and supporters who live only five miles from us in Hartford, received 10.5 inches of snow! Crazy how five miles will make a difference in the amount of snow!

I would  normally complain but we needed this moisture, although I could have passed on the freezing rain. But the snow is super heavy so hopefully that means it holds a lot of moisture. I expect most of the frost is out of the ground at this point. Mike tried to plow the driveway and struggled to find a decent height to keep the blade. For those that plow, you'll know what I'm talking about.

I realized with this storm that we absolutely need to get some new stalls built. I had everyone tucked away out of the wind, ice, and snow but it would be best to have extra empty stalls just in case. I had to rig up the broken stall in the hay shed so that Mayhem could stay in it. Thank goodness for light corral panels. Although with the coating of ice they had on them Tuesday afternoon, the light corral panel turned into super heavy. I was swearing by the time I finally made it back to the hay shed. Mayhem and Rabbit went into the hay shed stalls. I think they were both happy to get in out of the wind and freezing pellets that stung when they hit. I moved the ponies up by the barn where I've been keeping the neighbor's mare and filly. Of course the mare and filly went in the barn and have yet to return to the outside pen. It's a little chilly this morning so I thought it best to keep them in for another day.

Tuesday night I had Zeke, Jim, Rain, and Brego (along with the mare and filly) in the barn. I left Ivan, Chaos, Maverick, King, and Dude outside because they had enough protection from the leanto off the barn and the second leanto at the bottom of the pen. Unfortunately, I think Dude and Chaos kept Ivan out of the leanto that night so I made sure to put Ivan in the barn Wednesday night (along with the others mentioned).

I threw a blanket on Rabbit Monday night and threw blankets on Babe and Bo Tuesday morning. I wish I would have put blankets on those two Monday night. But I didn't get a chance to do chores before going to the Saddle Club meeting and by the time I got home to do chores it was late and dark. But they have been cozy in their blankets ever since and I think appreciate that extra layer to keep them warm and dry during this nasty storm.

I need to get the stall in the hay barn fixed and I'd like to build a third stall in the haybarn. I think it would be to my advantage to add an additional stall back there. I'd rather have too many stalls than not enough, which seems to be the case right now. Oh what I would give for a big barn with 30 stalls (need to have extras "just in cases"!)

I heard a rumor that another storm is on its way for the beginning part of next year. I guess I wont' complain too loud because we need the moisture. I'd prefer a nice gentle spring rain but if it comes in a massive blizzard with wet heavy snow, I'll take that too (as long as I can stay home)!

I'm hoping the sun will come out soon to start melting the ice off the trees. The pavement where the snow is gone, is nice and dry. I expect that with a little bit of sun, all the snow will be gone in  no time. Sure hope all that moisture soaks into the ground. We need to get out of this drought. I'd prefer not to feel the pressures of this drought much longer.