Winter Snow

The snow storm blew in last night and filled all the cracks and crevices in my barn. Drifts made it under the door and in one spot a veritable cone of snow 3 feet high stood along one wall!
When I let the horses out in the morning they shied away from the door...'what is all that bright white stuff?' they seemed to be saying. A two year old led the way and soon the herd of 7 trotted around, heads down and investigating.
The snow is dry and light and drifts to 2 feet in some spots. I feel for the folks in the midwest. Last year we had the ice storm which left us without power for 10 days. The sun is trying to break through now and sparkling the snow.

Night Lightening

I could see the lightning streaking to the ground across the ridges and the thunder rumbled so deep it vibrated the barn.

Jesse was still outside and when I made the mad dash through the pelting rain, she nickered and ran to me. I haltered her in a rather hurried and rude way, but she was ready and so was I!

We trotted back to the barn and I tucked her in for the night. Nothing like a storm coming in to hurry the old bones along!

...and puppies, too

These little guys are a day old and belong to my neighbor's dog. I fretted so much about whelping with a 6 degree temperature reading I moved everyone inside my barn room to the shower stall. My neighbor has 6-10 dogs and never neuters anyone!
There is no energy to think when the weather is this cold! All I can do is work on taking care of extra equine needs due to the freezing temperatures!
I can't imagine ranching in the upper midwest and readily understand those who move to Arizona or Florida! Everyone HANG ON! (that's me talking to myself!)

Mud City

Once a year I tumble
Leading or feeding my mission
Boot sucking mud
Stops my stride
Landing me flat on my side

My horses never falter
My task gets finished
But I walk a bit faster
Moaning demeaned

Seems the layers of mud
Proclaim their victory
Humbled, Humility
Score one for the earth

Spicy Etta

It is always a delight to walk up to my home in the barn because of my travel through the pasture where some of my horses live.

Right now there is the Spicy Etta, the youngest of my weanlings at three months. She is short and stout, quick to rear or whirl and kick out as she keeps the bigger, bruising boys from pushing her around. Ever confident, she oftentimes sidles up to a horse four times her size to nuzzle his withers and invites a vigorous nuzzle in return. Even in her youngest hours she would walk straight and strong, ears and eyes focused forward, the instinct of fleeing with fear far away in a distant past.

If I am not mindful I could take it for granted and her confidence would not be shared with me.

Little Things Mean A Lot (or Quit while you're ahead)

I have my three weanlings stalled in the barn and last night beforeIi went to bed (in the barn!), I picked up a halter and "played" with all of them.

On the last colt, Emmett ~the Bert bred colt~ I was delighted but surprised when he tucked and reached his nose into the halter that I held out for him.

I haven't fooled much with this group of colts, and last week this same fella had slipped over to another pasture in search of his dam. It took me quite awhile to bring him out of there: he was singularly focused on his dam. Eventually (and without a big Rodeo) my persistent consistence finally reached his brain and then it was only a few minutes before we moved together from the pasture.

So last night I didn't know what to expect (probably a good state of mind for all of life!) but when I lifted my lead hand up while I stood by his side, Emmett brought his head around to me with grace and full face, his soft eyes questioning me. I raised my other hand toward his hip and with a deep reach under himself, this little weanling slide around with elegance and smoothness.

When these little things are so beautiful, the immense significance overwhelms me and I think to myself- "Omigosh, get out of here before you ruin it!"

Sunset

There are times when only a picture will do