I Give Up

This cold continues.  It is a bitter, biting cold.  However, it is interesting to notice that I had the sense of warmth today when it got up to 14 degrees.  I think when it gets to twenty, later this week, it will feel downright balmy.

Before I go on to tell you how I gave in, I want to say something about people who let their dogs lick their faces or even their lips.  You know who you are!  Some of my best friends do this!  Ugh.  I am SO not a germaphobe but this habit is disgusting to me.  Here are my two dogs enjoying their treat of popsicles.  Auto-correct took the second O out!  I really meant POOPsicles.  Frozen poop.  Yum.  And I think horse manure is far from the worst muck that goes in their mouths.

So, “I give up” means that I stopped letting the ponies rough it.  I finally put heavy winter blankets on the ponies.  I had to go buy one for Mr Jasper because I was using layers on him, a wool warming blanket plus a wind-proof rain sheet.  Too many straps for him and probably not warm enough.  I sort of KNOW they would be okay without the blankets given how furry and strudy they are, but I just couldn’t bear it.  I was cold and their heavy blankets make ME feel warmer.  Plus, doesn’t he just look so handsome?!

I also started giving them water.  The stream is not quite frozen over but it’s getting there.  When the edges started to freeze, I figured it was time.   I don’t want them to have to break through ice to get to water.

So, yesterday I set up this water heater in their drinking trough.  It works beautifully!  The water is even a bit warm.   Strangely, they went down to the stream to get water just after I put this in.   I think they like it down there and like breaking the ice with their hooves.  Still this morning a lot of water had been taken up by them through the night.  I feel more hydrated with this in place.

It is so silent and bare here.  I love the silence.  I bask in it.  When the air is bitter like this, I find it hard to imagine the intense life that will blossom up here come spring.