The Longest Cold Streak

I heard on the news that most of North America is experiencing its longest streak of cold weather on record. I have certainly felt that this run of high temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit (-15 C) is the longest I’ve encountered. I’m glad to know my memory is still serving me well!

When the weather is like this, I adjust my pony care routine. I check them earlier in the morning, and I spread extra hay then. The mares also adjust their routine. They have been meeting me at the barn at sundown rather than being out on the hill where I walk to find them. They are right to assume that their looks through their foggy breath will convince me to throw them some hay when normally I expect them to get what they need off the hill.

Having spent most of my life in the high elevations of Colorado and now South Dakota, I’m accustomed to three days in a row of below zero Fahrenheit nights and frigid days. I’ve learned that my ponies can handle it just fine, so I can too. But this run of six days, with more on the front end that weren’t exactly warm, I have found trying. I’m weary of three neck gaiters, three inches of ice to be broken off waterers and three different sets of chemical warmers to keep my body functioning. But I’m extremely grateful for my tough ponies. Though they’re greeting me with frosty eye lashes, ice crystalled muzzles, and elevated appetites, they still are holding their own as they sift hay or dry grass from the snow-covered ground.

I know there are places where this sort of weather is the norm in the winter rather than the exception. I admire folks and their critters who can handle it. Given how widespread this current weather system is, I suspect they’re dealing with their own sort of extreme. It doesn’t feel right to gripe when we’re all in this together!

You can read more stories about my life with my ponies in What an Honor, available internationally by clicking here or on the book cover.

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