Two weeks ago it got cold here in Bend, Ore., and started snowing. Then the ground froze solid and it snowed some moreÑa lot more. Winter had made her grand entrance on the high desert, bringing temperatures that dipped close to zero degrees Fahrenheit at night and barely broke freezing during the day.
This is the time of year when I usually give up riding my two horses. Instead, I wrap them up in blankets, feed them mass quantities of hay, and let them know we’ll have fun again in the spring. When the opportunity arises, I do take my barefoot gelding out for a trail ride in the snow or haul my dressage horse, Marathon, to my trainer’s arena to stretch his legs. But, for the most part, my geldings spend winter getting wooly and playing pasture ponies until April rolls along.
Honestly, after five years living on my own horse property, I’m tired of the annual routine.
This winter a serious bout of cabin fever had me considering the once unthinkable: Maybe I’d be better off if we sold our small property and moved into town. I could board the boys at a facility with a beautiful indoor arena and (do I wish for too much?) heated grooming area. My husband and I could buy a condo, with no lawn or maintenance, next to one of our city’s beautiful parks along the winding Deschutes River. For breakfast we could amble to a locally owned corner coffee shop for fresh pastries and espressos while some other poor schmuck spent the frigid morning hours breaking ice from troughs and slinging feed to my horses as they beat their hooves against the stall doors.
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re: A Winter Home Away from Home
my husband LOVES when the horses (2) are boarded. i just took them to an R&R ranch for the month of december due to the rain and a vacation week. it’s 25 minutes away and even though they are feed (most of the time) 3X per day (same as
re: A Winter Home Away from Home
With 20+ Minis, I can’t go on vacation or even to multi day shows without getting a petsitter. It sure would be nice to be able to just leave if I wanted to go somewhere without worrying about feeding that night. But – it’s also nice putting my guys ba
re: A Winter Home Away from Home
During the worst of the winter months, I board at facility about 25 mins away that has an indoor arena. Not totally ideal because they don’t have the all day turn out available at my place and there is that commute instead of just walking down to
re: A Winter Home Away from Home
I am lucky enough to have a small indoor arena. Really a must in New England if you want to show in the spring. Cleaning four stall all winter (they are in and out in good weather) is a lot of work but it is good exercise and I like having
re: A Winter Home Away from Home
Janet, you had me at "I’m lucky enough to have a small indoor arena." Jealous!