Normally this only applies to those of us that remain in the great northeast for the winter, but thanks to Mother Nature finally learning about equality, the entire country is in a deep freeze. They're predicting "snow" in Ocala tonight and northern Florida has missed a white Christmas by about 2 weeks. We're going to be laughing about this up in New York until orange juice prices go up.
In the AP, where people are prepared with actual winter clothes, winter is just starting to kick into full swing. Kate and Chase have icicles hanging off their whiskers in the AM (and in Kate's case, one HUGE icicle hanging off of her side. I didn't ask. She seemed embarrassed), buckets are starting to freeze overnight and riders are praying for their god of choice to bring them fleece-lined breeches/shirt/helmets. Doors are sticking, dumping the wheelbarrow requires a running start and the heated viewing room becomes harder and harder to leave.
Buuut... as tough as snow makes it, the horses love it. Oliver positively tippeetoes out the door with glee when he realizes there's a new dusting of snow on the ground. Kate's feet aren't sore and she comes down into the run in shed to eat. It seems like everytime I look out the viewing room window her and Chase are either rolling in the snow or lying down having an afternoon nap. Otis thinks he's fancy in his winter jacket, Pick and Jack play ALL day... There isn't a single horse that isn't enjoying the weather.
It's hard to be frustrated too long at the weather up here. The horses are healthy and mentally happy. We (me) may be getting a little squishy from lack of riding but that'll pick up again once god of choice has Dover ship that fleecelined bodysuit.
So for now, until it warms up a bit, I advise you of this. Everytime you start to crab about the weather, think of Oliver. Picture the expression on his face as the back door slides open and he sees fresh snow. Think of him doing his little happy dance all the way to the round pen gate, anticipating the moment when his lead rope is unsnapped and he's free to roll, roll, ROLLLLL til his heart is content or Charley bites him. I assure you, this mental image never goes stale and it will never cease to make you smile. I'm not saying it's going to carry us through the winter but every little bit helps...
...obviously this little mental exercise only works for those of us here up north. For those of you experiencing winter in Florida I'm not sure anything is going to make you feel better except for the thermometer hitting 70. Ha!
Sorry. Heh.
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