Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon chiseling out a pathway to the dry lots so we could get the horses out for a few hours today. Even then, with literally 200 lbs of salt and lime for traction, the dry lots were just on the edge of useable.
Today we chiseled out the road to the indoor (and building a new barn attached to the indoor once again jumped to the top of my spring chore list). No joke, the ice was three to five inches thick in places. I’ve never seen anything like this, even after decades in the northeast. The horses had been in since Sunday. I’m relieved they kept their heads about them to get out a bit today. And tomorrow no excuses, it’s back to work.
I’ve never lacked motivation before to get the horses working, but this week has really tested me. The weather is just brutal and the ice is soul-sucking. It’s been days to chip our way out of it, even with several hundred pounds of salt, sand, and lime. I feel guilty for keeping the horses in, but I’ve fallen on the ice myself multiple times trying to get thinks walkable for them. It didn’t feel safe, but I know they have to be bored and stir crazy. I just hate feeling like there are no good answers this winter.
