And...More Snow

 



This latest storm ended up being the worst of them this winter, so far. We ended up with about ten inches of snow but the winds carried the snow and build drifts of epic proportions. The interstates were closed for the better part of three days due to blowing snow, slick surface and massive drifts. One exit bridge had drifting all the way up to the bridge. Wyoming had to pull out the snow blowers and the loaders, in addition to the graders and plows for this one. At one point, we had a wind chill warning (-30 F), a high wind warning (70+ mph gusts), and a winter weather advisory at the same time.

Through all of it, the horses kept doing their horsey things. They ate, drank, napped, and played, seemingly unbothered by the weather. During the coldest of the days, they had snow frozen to their hair coats. They carried on as usual. Because that was the last day of the month, I froze while taking update photos, and they followed me around seeking attention as they always do. Feeding made for an adventure through bad visibility and a rush to get hay out before our plowed paths drifted back in. The horses grazed in one of their valleys, occasionally lifting a head, unconcerned at our struggles. Horses seem to handle the cold, adverse weather gracefully and without concern.

We have two horses in one of the small turnouts in Chugwater due to some minor issues (hoof bruise and struggling with weight). They have a loafing shed to themselves, but they didn't seem interested in it, either. They used it as a windbreak during the worst of the gusts. Otherwise, they roamed around, grazing, eating at the bale, and napping.

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