I went out to visit Frank last evening after work, it was a balmy 24 degrees. I realized what I hate about boarding him. His bucket was frozen solid. No water, danger, danger. How long I wondered had he been without water??? I went to banging and chipping to clean it out and then offered him fresh water. He gulped down half a bucket quickly, this told me he had been without probably since morning. Sigh.... I cannot afford him to be sick again. I turned him out briefly and cleaned his stall, he was enjoying rolling in the snow with his blanket on and had himself a little jog around the paddock. Then the real fun began. You see I haven't pulled his shoes yet and the snow pack in his feet was a challenge. I must remember the pam tonight.
It took me 15 minutes to remove the ice jam in there, Frank was not thrilled about me playing Klondike digger down there either.
I hunted down the barn owner and told her I was bringing out a heated bucket for Frank. The whole frozen water thing bothers me, especially with the latest colic episode. She was OK with it so tonight's job is to go out and bring the bucket and pam for the feet.
I leave you with my favorite view:
Oh how I long for these days again. Winter go away!
Happy trails......
7 comments:
Heated buckets are great and make such a difference. Not good that the BO isn't on top of that as horses can quickly colic without access to water.
Hope you get some warmer weather - we're pretty cold here too.
I hope warmer weather comes to you and to us! We're freezing down here!
I'm surprised that you are having to get the heated bucket. Seems like that's something they should be doing if you're boarding.
Hope you have a great holiday season!
We live near Syracuse New York. We've had 71 inches of snow in December alone. Yesterday had a 10 below zero windchill. I'm praying for 24 degree weather.
Hmmm... and I've been complaining bout the heat over here in the Southern Hemisphere! Too hot for New Years!
Perhaps I can send you some of our warmth and you can send some of your cold and we could even things out a bit!
Interesting about the heated bucket, hadn't been familiar with those (haven't had the need for one)... but I agree, surely the operators of the place should be keeping on top of making sure each equine has water??
Great I guess that you have a quick solution...
Hey! Just found your blog. I recently moved from Michigan to southern Nevada, and I was actually successful in leaving behind the cold. 55 degrees in mid-January? Yes please! Anyhow, for the frozen bucket problem I want to suggest a water heater! I don't know much about heated buckets, but the heater we had in our water trough in MI worked great. :)
love the topic, I had fun reading it coz I'm a horse lover too but just a beginner one so right now I just keep on collection information that would be helpful for me in my new love.
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