It feels like it’s been a long winter already and the frigid temperatures this month haven’t helped.  While a couple of days have reached well in to the 40s, some have dropped down to –30 and lower.  With the cold weather and frequent snowfalls, there has been a thick layer of snow over the ground for most of the month.

The horses are coping well though and the round bale feeders have really been a blessing – keeping the horses full, occupied and oblivious of the freezing temperatures.  Unfortunately, Joe has taken to the round bales with gusto and barely takes his head out of the feeder.  Always an easy keeper, his weight has been creeping up and in order to keep it under control he has been muzzled.  This still allows him to get at the hay but restricts the amount he can actually eat.

Kevin has soldiered on outside, continuing to work on the run outs but the cold has taken it’s toll and on many mornings, after being asleep all night, it has been painful for him to move his fingers.  The run outs are almost done now though, with just the final door to be made and fitted.

The run outs were combined with some inside jobs to ease the pain and of course, it’s now tax time so working on the accounts kept Kevin busy inside for several hours. 

In addition, he started planning the indoor arena extension, putting together the bill of materials, researching permits, pricing and considering the use of some contract help for this major project.   By the end of the month the permit was obtained, an order was placed for all the materials and we have secured the help of some local experts to help with the construction.  We now have to wait for the ground to thaw before he can get going but like the outdoor arena and the run outs, the extended indoor arena will be a big improvement in the facilities we offer our boarders and will increase the arena size from 60’ x 100’ to 60’ x 165’.

It has been a long time since we had a boarders meeting and with several new boarders and some prompting from Pat, we decided it was time.  It was well attended despite the bad weather forecast for the night and turned in to a fun evening.  Most of the jokes were aimed at Kevin’s meticulous attention to the lawn areas around the barns and the strictly enforced rule of no horses on the people grass.  He took it all in good spirit and at least nobody can say now that they didn’t know!!  This rule of course plays a large role in the appearance of the property looks as people drive in and with no hoof divots in the grass, it certainly makes it easier and more comfortable to mow!