Freezing and here to stay?

We've been having crazy weather this winter--50s some days, in the 20s the next. This weekend was particularly cold. Even though the reports claimed today would be the warmest out of the long weekend, it certainly didn't feel that way.

Perhaps speaking to the cruelty of the cold (or perhaps the adeptness of the barn cats!) there was a foreboding sign right as I stepped out of my car.

aww. 

It's a shrew (I think) and I don't know if the poor thing met its end before or after it froze, but I could believe such a small critter could freeze to death in this weather. There were even some crows perched in a tree not too far up, and while they usually would fly off at the smallest indication of my interest in them, I think it was too cold for them to even bother. In fact, they let me watch them for several minutes, as they made cute croaking sounds to each other.

The horses looked pretty cozy, though. Or at the very least they didn't seem to mind the cold as much as the rest of us.

Standing the in sun helps. 

I went out into the paddock to give Gobie some love, even though he was perfectly willing to come greet me at the fence line. I didn't want to take him away from his hay, since all that eating and digestion helps keep a pony warm. He was looking pretty good, if not a little muddy, but it was nothing that a good hand brushing couldn't cure.

He did come closer to the fence after I left him to go pull together some vitamins and seeds. I gave him his bucket through the fence, and he made quick work of the token food.

Noms, and frozen puddles.

He also took the opportunity to have a drink from the trough. It was heated, or else the water would have been frozen. It made me really grateful that Bonnie had heaters for the tank. Horses don't like drinking cold water in the winter, so something to keep it from getting frozen and to have be more palatable is fantastic.

Sluuurp.

I hope Spring hurries up! The fickleness of this weather has totally spoiled me and this cold snap is totally lame.

PS, we also payed Gobie a visit last weekend but it was pretty short, sweet, and unbloggable!

Chilly Visitor

Last weekend I missed going to the pony all together because I was building a feral cat shelter. But I got to visit today, and hopefully will be able to get in another visit or two before this holiday vacation is over. Speaking of the holiday, things were cold and festive as always at the barn.

I always forget that it's like ten degrees colder at the pony than it is where I live. It's not that far away, and I don't think the elevation changes that much, but wouldn't you know it my fingers are always freeeezing in a couple of minute. I spent the time mostly just leaning over the fence, playing with Gobie and warming my hands up in his fur. He was pretty muddy, but looked comfortable.

I love how he looks so silvery and velvety this time of year. We hung out for a long time just messing with each other over the fence. It's nice to know when a horse appreciates your company. I even played with his ears a little bit. He didn't protest one bit.

Of course, he was pretty busy shaking me down for treats. At one point he had his fuzzy muzzle pressed to my face. But most of the time, he was busy slobbering on my coat trying to figure out how to get into my pockets and find those peppermints.

This is also how I get pony snot on my coat. I thought he had a little bit of a runny nose the last time I saw him, but there was nothing going on this visit. Good! He's always been a sturdy pony which I appreciate. None the less, I had brought with me one of his Christmas presents: a multivitamin in grain form. I figure it wouldn't hurt to give him a little extra help in the colder months. Plus I knew he'd like having another thing to eat. I mixed it with a little black oil sunflower seeds and let him have a nibble.

On a non-horse related note, the horse farm was busy with wildlife today! First on my slow roll into the driveway there was a hawk perched on the fence. It was really close and right at my line of vision. We just kind of looked at each other as I rolled by. The Second was a visitor to the treeline:

In case you can't spot him, he's circled in purple here:

It's a red fox! Bonnie had mentioned that she sees them sometimes, but this was my first encounter. He was well away from the horses who were all standing up near the house by the fence line. He was trotting along under the trees, looking purposeful. His coat blended in so well with the color of the pine needles on the ground, I probably never would have seen him if he wasn't moving. He didn't stay very long, but it was a rare and wonderful treat.