I’m sure if my friend Dave had had any possible clue about the amount of snow that was about to be unleashed on the country he never would have left his horses and gone on holiday to South Africa!! But we will never know.
What a two weeks it has been, but I am quite pleased with my efforts so far. Despite the awful road and weather conditions I got to the horses at least twice every day. Well I would wouldn’t I? There is no way I wouldn’t get there somehow. I had to leave my car at the top of the hill near my home, to make sure I could get there by car each day. The rest of the journey I could keep the car going, but that first hill I just couldn’t get up, usually because there were other cars in my way, and once you stop that’s it, you just can’t get going again on a hill.
The boys have been out the whole time bless them, but they’ve not got hungry or cold, in fact I have probably been feeding too much although I have tried really hard not to. The snow at times in their paddock got to a foot deep in the bits they weren’t walking on, but mainly where they were walking it stayed at about their ankles.
The girls have been couped up in their stables, but cozy and warm. They have been so good despite not being able to come out very much. When I have turned them out for a while they have still been very good, especially the youngster, who I was concerned about turning out. But she has a chase about and didn’t slip at all, cornering better than she usually does, her balance is improving.
Pushing wheel barrows loaded with hay and water has been back-breaking! Especially trying to get through deep snow! But now it is nearly all gone, which brings the arrival of the mud!
Dave will be home in 3 days time so my stint of responsibility is nearly over.
