It's been eight weeks and counting since the freeze came upon us. Here in the Fraser Valley we pride ourselves in being able to ski, golf, hike, and ride horses, during winter. For most of Canada, everything is shut down until the thaw.
There may be some people that are set up with proficiency in the Valley with frost free taps, heated buckets, and have strategies for helping their horses get around on icey days, but most are carrying many warm buckets of water, have horses that haven't left their stalls since early December, and are realizing how important turn out is for the equine mind. I've had a few students refer to their horses, as , "my horse has gone insane, being pent up in his stall for the last month". Insane in the dictionry reads, " 'in a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction'. My five horses are very fortunate, living with a mountain at our back, most of the wind goes over us. I do happen to have a frost free tap, and a couple of heated water buckets. My horses also have free access to go from the barn stalls to the covered arena whenever it suits their fancy. I am truly grateful ! I have one piece of adice I received from my sister that I am thrilled to have found out about, and I am excited to share with you. To pick up frozen poop in the paddocks, using a shovel is hard on the back, and a fork impossible; instead use a hoe. It easily lifts the piles up, saving your back and time.
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Sandy LangI want to help people understand that when they start with a light heart, are conscious of having light hands, they undoubtedly will feel a light horse. Archives
December 2017
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