Hi Everyone,
Here’s a little excerpt from Brenda from this past week with the extreme temps!
I am currently hovering over a hot cup of tea. It is just after 5 pm and -10 degrees. This morning, the temperature was -42 degrees at 9 am. Such temps call for living in layers and layers all day. When it is this cold, it is all-hands-on deck. Yesterday evening we did a night check of the horses at 9 pm, 11 pm and then an early morning check at 2:30 am and 5:30 am. I imagine we will be doing the same this evening.
When arctic weather comes our way, prevention is key. Horses are fed twice a day, water is checked about every 2-2.5 hours, and all outer wall faucets are on drip. Sinks, toilets, showers must be run multiple times a day to keep the pipes from freezing. Sources of heat must be dependable and checked often.
Here on the ranch, life revolves around heat. Heat for the old and new arenas, the lodge, heat to keep the pipes from freezing, to keep the large equipment functioning, and heat in the form of hay to keep the horses from dropping below the point in which they can no longer sustain their body temperature.
Odd as it may seem, hay (fiber) once fermented in the hind gut provides the main source of heat for horses when it is frigidly cold. Along with an insulating coat, a constant supply of hay allows horses to keep warm and be able to live and breathe in temperatures that dip way below the comfort zone.
For the love and deep appreciation of our horses and where we live, diligence is what is required during this deep freeze. We have love & diligence written on our hearts.
-Brenda
