Winter is a cruel mistress

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Managed to get hay delivery unloaded and covered before the rain came thus morning! I take that as a win!!!

Big win!

I managed to clean and Iodine the lingering abcess hoof and get a mud fever heel cleaned dried and covered in-between showers so that was my big win.

Was going to spend the afternoon using the slurry Shovel on the remaining patches of top soil but think I'll go to the pub and watch the rugby instead as set to rain again it can wait until tomorrow morning.

 

[dorsetladette]

Big win!

I managed to clean and Iodine the lingering abcess hoof and get a mud fever heel cleaned dried and covered in-between showers so that was my big win.

Was going to spend the afternoon using the slurry Shovel on the remaining patches of top soil but think I'll go to the pub and watch the rugby instead as set to rain again it can wait until tomorrow morning.

Big wins all round!

Slurry shovelling with a hangover- sounds fun ! I'm likely to be shovelling muddy wet bedding out of the shelter tomorrow in a similar condition.

We're heading to the pub too. Alcohol is the main coping method currently.

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Big wins all round!

Slurry shovelling with a hangover- sounds fun ! I'm likely to be shovelling muddy wet bedding out of the shelter tomorrow in a similar condition.

We're heading to the pub too. Alcohol is the main coping method currently.

Enjoy! Its the best thing to do in this weather and it will be a good vibe with England playing.

In total and absolute agreement re the alcohol. I have been teetering on the edge of a drink problem since the new year (and rain) began.

No dry January in our house

 

[dorsetladette]

Saw this and thought of this thread

 

[KikiDee]

Well today we had the first glimpse of spring and it was glorious!! Dry all day and I hacked out in a hoodie with no coat got on top of lots of yard jobs, hay feeders cleaned out, water buckets all scrubbed and horses got their rugs off and a thorough groom. Also still just about light at 5:30pm!

What a difference it has made to my mood, I’m well aware it’s ’false spring’… this isn’t my first rodeo but it was enough to lift my mood!

 

[southerncomfort]

Some Lapwings arrived here today!

 

[little_critter]

Well today we had the first glimpse of spring and it was glorious!! Dry all day and I hacked out in a hoodie with no coat got on top of lots of yard jobs, hay feeders cleaned out, water buckets all scrubbed and horses got their rugs off and a thorough groom. Also still just about light at 5:30pm!

What a difference it has made to my mood, I’m well aware it’s ’false spring’… this isn’t my first rodeo but it was enough to lift my mood!

Another day of rain for us. At least we got 2 hours of dry in the morning so I could chuck the ponies out and poo pick without getting rained on.
OH went for a cycle ride and got drenched, he also had 2 punctures bless him.

 

[KikiDee]

Another day of rain for us. At least we got 2 hours of dry in the morning so I could chuck the ponies out and poo pick without getting rained on.
OH went for a cycle ride and got drenched, he also had 2 punctures bless him.

Hang in there! Everyone on here was saying they had a lovely day earlier in the week and it was torrential sleet here relentlessly, then we finally got some respite today

 

[little_critter]

Hang in there! Everyone on here was saying they had a lovely day earlier in the week and it was torrential sleet here relentlessly, then we finally got some respite today

Yeah….but the fields are so sopping wet we need 2 fully dry weeks to get close to drying them up.

 

[KikiDee]

Yeah….but the fields are so sopping wet we need 2 fully dry weeks to get close to drying them up.

Oh my fields are still wrecked, but somehow trudging through knee deep mud in dry sunshine is mildly more bearable than doing it in torrential rain

 

[dorsetladette]

We must have had less rain over night last night as the fields seem a bit less wet this morning - either that or I'm becoming immune to soggy fields.

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Farrier coming at 4pm today. Hoof abcess returned on one of the girls so need to get it dug out this time and they both need a trim.

Its been dry all morning but absolutely lashing it down now and set to continue until 6pm. Weather radar says worst time of day is 4pm. No idea how I am going to clean all the girls legs (no hose so its bucket and water), take off a poultice for farrier, get everything done that needs doing then somehow get poultice on again in the dark in the lashing rain

Other half went to London today for work so I don't even have my nurse on hand to hand me equipment and everything is going to get drenched before I can get it on.

Wish me luck everyone. Cos I am sure as s*** going to need it!

 

[dorsetladette]

Farrier coming at 4pm today. Hoof abcess returned on one of the girls so need to get it dug out this time and they both need a trim.

Its been dry all morning but absolutely lashing it down now and set to continue until 6pm. Weather radar says worst time of day is 4pm. No idea how I am going to clean all the girls legs (no hose so its bucket and water), take off a poultice for farrier, get everything done that needs doing then somehow get poultice on again in the dark in the lashing rain

Other half went to London today for work so I don't even have my nurse on hand to hand me equipment and everything is going to get drenched before I can get it on.

Wish me luck everyone. Cos I am sure as s*** going to need it!

Good luck!!

Leave the poultice on for the farrier to take off. His tools are way sharper than anything you or I have ever owned! so he will have it off in seconds - plus it's one less foot to clean up for him. Have the stuff ready to stick the poultice straight back on while the foot is still clean - hopefully with help from said farrier. He might even have some handy tricks to make is easier too.

I have farrier on Friday and I think I'm going to have to ask him to park in the gate way and I'll build him a temporary safe area in he field to work in peace - demon pony is still on the war path!

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Good luck!!

Leave the poultice on for the farrier to take off. His tools are way sharper than anything you or I have ever owned! so he will have it off in seconds - plus it's one less foot to clean up for him. Have the stuff ready to stick the poultice straight back on while the foot is still clean - hopefully with help from said farrier. He might even have some handy tricks to make is easier too.

I have farrier on Friday and I think I'm going to have to ask him to park in the gate way and I'll build him a temporary safe area in he field to work in peace - demon pony is still on the war path!

Did all of the above and he was lovely and held her for me while I redid the poultice. Laughed at my very non aesthetically pleasing poulticing but did at least say 'well at least you know what you're doing' so despite a 10 year break from horses I haven't forgotten everything.

Also was very nice that abcess was found immediately and close to surface so fingers crossed this time we can truly get rid of it! And that I had diagnosed correctly - another still have some knowledge sigh of relief.

Rain also wasn't as torrential as forecast so huge win there.

Of course rewarding myself with a glass (or 2) of wine.....

Does demon pony get totally in the way of everyone else so you get no peace unless you have an unwitting helper to keep it at bay? I've had one of those before so can sympathise.

 

[dorsetladette]

Did all of the above and he was lovely and held her for me while I redid the poultice. Laughed at my very non aesthetically pleasing poulticing but did at least say 'well at least you know what you're doing' so despite a 10 year break from horses I haven't forgotten everything.

Also was very nice that abcess was found immediately and close to surface so fingers crossed this time we can truly get rid of it! And that I had diagnosed correctly - another still have some knowledge sigh of relief.

Rain also wasn't as torrential as forecast so huge win there.

Of course rewarding myself with a glass (or 2) of wine.....

Does demon pony get totally in the way of everyone else so you get no peace unless you have an unwitting helper to keep it at bay? I've had one of those before so can sympathise.

Well done you - hope you enjoyed the wine!

Yes - Robin will be involved in everything. He will steal tools out the back of the van, push through tiny gaps his round tummy really shouldn't fit, get his nose in the way, untie lead ropes, just generally be in the way. He'll then not be caught which is a little embarrassing. He's got so many different names I'm not sure he even knows which one is his, f#cking pony, TT (short for tiny taliban), demon pony, pudding (referring to his shape) and then his actual name Robin (Robin Hood), but he doesn't just steal from the rich - he steals from everyone!!!

He's far to clever for his own good, he's been on this planet before.


ETA - my big job for this evening is to roll the hay out to the hay feeder - just hope the rain holds off.

 

[dorsetladette]

Just returning to boast!! Managed to do all jobs this evening with out getting rained on!! Covered in mud still but it didn't rain!!!

Quick pale ale on the way home in celebration!

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

his actual name Robin (Robin Hood), but he doesn't just steal from the rich - he steals from everyone!!!

Actual LOL

Just returning to boast!! Managed to do all jobs this evening with out getting rained on!! Covered in mud still but it didn't rain!!!

Quick pale ale on the way home in celebration!

Woop woop! Well earned!

My win of the day is after the abcess digging yesterday its like a different horse today. Not 100% sound yet but such a difference.

Rewarded myself by not having a drink because I figure if I reward the good stuff with a drink and drown sorrows during the challenges I'm really going to be screwed and the challenges seem to come far more often!

 

[KikiDee]

Annnnnd I am back to sulking and feeling miserable!

We are back to relentless lashing rain here and temps due to drop back down to below 6'c for a few days, with sleet forecast - joy! Stuck my hand into the round bale last night and it felt warm... hmmmm. So I started stripping it down in the dark and rain by headtorch to find mould running right through it. Exactly what I wanted at 8:30pm when I just wanted to feed my horses and go home. Managed to pull a few good bits off the outside after doing the sniff test but tonights job will be opening and sorting a new bale, which I could do with ANY OTHER day of the week except Wednesdays when I don't get back until 9pm. I hate feeding haylage but cannot get hold of hay to save my life.

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Annnnnd I am back to sulking and feeling miserable!

We are back to relentless lashing rain here and temps due to drop back down to below 6'c for a few days, with sleet forecast - joy! Stuck my hand into the round bale last night and it felt warm... hmmmm. So I started stripping it down in the dark and rain by headtorch to find mould running right through it. Exactly what I wanted at 8:30pm when I just wanted to feed my horses and go home. Managed to pull a few good bits off the outside after doing the sniff test but tonights job will be opening and sorting a new bale, which I could do with ANY OTHER day of the week except Wednesdays when I don't get back until 9pm. I hate feeding haylage but cannot get hold of hay to save my life.

Oh god I really sympathise. You can guarantee it is on the days when the weather is the worst and you are already shattered that you have to circumnavigate an unwanted challenge.

Hang in there!

Re not getting hay - i really hope that having all this rain now doesn't mean we won't see any all summer again. I'd love to feed decent hay next year rather than a hay hayledge mix to pump up the okay but not great hay which is all I could get hold of. Its an expensive extra!

 

[CJoe]

My first thought is, are you able to move the shelter??

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

My first thought is, are you able to move the shelter??

Hi - are you referring to my opening post?

Things have progressed a bit since then (thankfully!) So we now have exposed the hard standing and i have a mobile stable shelter combo arriving at the end of this month so given up on the old flooded shelter for now.

We are going to look at dismantling it in the summer and rebuilding it next to the new combo we have coming as it will make a very good haystore and tack room for next winter but it has been in its currently position for around 8 years and has been sinking in mud every winter so we anticipate it could be a hefty job as I think we will find the base etc are probably quite rotten by now. It isn't on skids so it can't be towed which complicates things.

Whilst not well positioned my plan for summer is to redo the fencing so they can go stand behind it for shade and they can benefit from it in this respect instead. This field will always be shut off in winter so not too fussed anymore if they don't have masses of rain cover in summer so long as they have shade. In the summer the trees in the boundary fence will all be in full bloom so they provide decent rain cover as well when needed and the natural shelter will be plenty sufficient during warmer months.

Will mend the other (currently roofless) field shelter in the big side as soon as we can get the car up the field with trailer without sinking to clear it all so then they will have 2 shelter options in winter depending on wind direction and which end of the field they prefer to shelter in.

By next winter they won't know what to do with themselves they will have so many options so at this stage just rugging up well, more forage available than they know what to do with and a hard feed every evening for burning fuel if it rains heavily.

Only a few weeks now until spring so remaining positive.

 

[KikiDee]

Oh god I really sympathise. You can guarantee it is on the days when the weather is the worst and you are already shattered that you have to circumnavigate an unwanted challenge.

Hang in there!

Re not getting hay - i really hope that having all this rain now doesn't mean we won't see any all summer again. I'd love to feed decent hay next year rather than a hay hayledge mix to pump up the okay but not great hay which is all I could get hold of. Its an expensive extra!

It's really added such an extra slog to all of us this winter hasn't it! If you're not sourcing it/collecting it/getting it delivered - then you're sorting through crap supply or playing lottery with what each bale will be like. I just want a shed full of decent hay that I can feed without the extra stress!

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Just to update just watching the girls on the camera and they have come right up to the top of the field and are grazing quite keenly. Not seen them do that for ages - usually they stay down on the hard standing - but noticed them grazing more when I've arrived at feeding times too and not hurried down to me so quickly.

It feels like perhaps the grass is starting to grow a bit and sweeten up.

We still have lots of rain forecast for next couple of weeks but it is starting to be interspersed with sunny spells (like now) so hoping this means the grass will grow.

Currently very mild here but as @KikiDee said is scheduled to drop down to freezing here again on Friday too. There was wintery mix forecast but it seems to have disappeared for now i can't believe i'm saying this because I haven't seen any for years but I honestly don't want it to snow. Feels like if it was going to it should have done it in January!

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

It's really added such an extra slog to all of us this winter hasn't it! If you're not sourcing it/collecting it/getting it delivered - then you're sorting through crap supply or playing lottery with what each bale will be like. I just want a shed full of decent hay that I can feed without the extra stress!

We should technically be able to fence off part of the big field to get a cut of our own this year (which would save money) but having never made hay before I am not sure I can face the stress of it on top of the 100 other jobs that need prioritising (not to mention we haven't done a scrap of work on our house which is a doer upper building site still because I keep making us prioritise field/horse jobs then too exhausted to do anything else) so I just hope its a good hay making year and we can all rest a bit easier coming into winter!

 

[KikiDee]

I guess if I was trying REALLY hard to find a silver lining, the cr*p bale can go in the mud in the gateway to firm up the mud-soup a bit

Another job to add to the list this weekend to get it all shifted.......

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

I guess if I was trying REALLY hard to find a silver lining, the cr*p bale can go in the mud in the gateway to firm up the mud-soup a bit

Another job to add to the list this weekend to get it all shifted.......

oh god. The never ending list eh. Its such hell when you think there goes another back breaking task I can't ignore...

Anyone else found the last few weeks so exhausting its hard to stay awake (or attentive) at work? I was asleep by 9.30 last night and I'm still a zombie with a bad back today!!!

I am sure by the number of messages I've put in this chat today the level of desired procrastination is evident......

 

[KikiDee]

oh god. The never ending list eh. Its such hell when you think there goes another back breaking task I can't ignore...

Anyone else found the last few weeks so exhausting its hard to stay awake (or attentive) at work? I was asleep by 9.30 last night and I'm still a zombie with a bad back today!!!

I am sure by the number of messages I've put in this chat today the level of desired procrastination is evident......

Yes my brain fog is horrendous at the moment! Silly things like hunting in the boot of my car last night looking for my wellies for 10 minutes before realising I can't find them as I have already put them on my feet

I'm also in the middle of trying to plan our wedding for September this year (first world problem!) but with horses, horse-admin, wedding-admin and life-admin, I have no energy or focus at work at all. Then you get the 3am anxiety that you're not on top of all those things so don't sleep which makes everything worse.

Oh for long sunny relaxed evenings where you're happy your horses are peacefully eating grass and not A) starving because your hay is crap B) drowning in flooded fields or C) breaking more fencing and trying to kill themselves because of all of the above.

 

[Little bit old-fashioned]

Yes my brain fog is horrendous at the moment! Silly things like hunting in the boot of my car last night looking for my wellies for 10 minutes before realising I can't find them as I have already put them on my feet

I'm also in the middle of trying to plan our wedding for September this year (first world problem!) but with horses, horse-admin, wedding-admin and life-admin, I have no energy or focus at work at all. Then you get the 3am anxiety that you're not on top of all those things so don't sleep which makes everything worse.

Oh for long sunny relaxed evenings where you're happy your horses are peacefully eating grass and not A) starving because your hay is crap B) drowning in flooded fields or C) breaking more fencing and trying to kill themselves because of all of the above.

Congratulations on the wedding! I can't even begin to imagine how stressful planning a wedding must be... And you very sensibly planned it for a time of year when (hopefully) the horses will be a breeze.

despite the mania it will all be worth it when the big day arrives!

Did a direct LOL at the wellies thing. I do it with my phone. Think I've lost it and racing round to find out its actually already in my pocket or worse my hand.

How I can't wait for summer evenings. When you just decide to plonk yourself down in the grass and watch them eat away while it's still balmy and warm (and dry!) and for no other reason than just for the contentment of watching them look happy and relaxed.

 

[PurpleSpots]

I am so sorry for LOLing at the last but two posts, but I can SO empathise with both immense procrastination, and also the scenario where I'm so brain fried that I spend ages looking for something that I already have on my person!!!

It is totally a laugh or cry situation right now for many of us I think.

BUT it is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, it hasn't rained here for a few hours, and so I do now believe that the ground drying out is a real, actual, likely future event, rather than a memory which only occurred once, far away in an alternate universe...

 

[Fransurrey]

Having been smug after securing two pallets of MVF haylage the same day they put it up in price, I am now in the position of every fecking delivery happening at the same time. The haylage I was expecting last week, but everyone has started ordering online it seems, so it's coming tomorrow - the only day in probably the last 5 years that our road is closed due to a telegraph pole being replaced. I don't have a choice in delivery date, so will have to deal with probably a peed off artic driver and I don't know where exactly the closure will be. The map says metres away from our house, so we may not be able to turn the artic in the usual road as they'll need to swing out to reverse into said road. They're using some sort of automated messaging service, so I don't know if I can contact the driver and forewarn them - I am hoping I can!!!

Arrghhhh! Naturally, feed delivery (to yard, not home) is clashing but they're being fabulous and told me to just let them know once I get my 2 hour window for haylage delivery. By tomorrow evening I will have most certainly earned a glass of wine! Oh, did I mention I'm supposed to be working tomorrow, too? I will probably have to take all the feed (4 bags) across by hand due to wetness of field. That's why I'm getting haylage delivered at home - sod getting 80 bales of that across a field in February!!