As I'm sure everyone is aware this past weekend Winter Storm Jonas harassed much of the Mid Atlantic region. Here in the foothills of NC/SC we got our fair share of the snow (though nothing compared to DC and up areas!) but nonetheless a lot of snow for this area with a total ranging from 6"-8"ish.
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| Why I have to buy good blankets- the boys like to play! |
It started snowing here Thursday night/Friday morning around 2:00 am. I had kicked my ponies out in the back pasture after I fed thurs evening and planned to bring them in around 11 before the snow started falling. I totally fell asleep on the couch and when I woke up it was 1:30am! Oops! Ponies didn't mind though- it hadn't started precipitating so they were still dry. I topped up their water buckets with hot water that I carried down from the house, gave them plenty of hay, and kissed their velvety noses goodnight and walked back up to the house just as it started to snow.
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| Zion, Nova, and Jello running through the woods |
The next morning there was a blanket of pretty white fluffy snow covering the ground and I couldn't help but giggle with excitement because there was SO MUCH SNOW!!!!!! Usually we get 2"-3" of icey snow but this time we had 5"+ glorious inches of the perfect fluffy snow! The dogs were jumping up and down at the door filled with doggy excitement and as soon as I opened the door they flew into the snow and frolicked around. Hope, our tripod beagle mix wasn't so excited about the snow and immediately ran back inside because this snow was touching her poor little belly! But the other dogs, especially the hairy ones were so excited to be running around in the snow. I grabbed my camera, hot water bucket, soaked hay cubes, and headed to the barn.
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| Vida watching |
After feeding the ponies and taking pictures of the dogs, I let the ponies outside in the back pasture. It was sorta sleeting but the ponies were all cozy in their waterproof blankets and I knew that if I didn't let them stretch their legs I'd have a few angry ponies! Plus my guys are barefoot so I don't worry about snow packing into their hooves like a shod horse. Right now I only have 3 horses at my place bc of the
flooding issue. I can manage 3 horses and 2 working stalls but not 4. So Marley is boarded at my neighbors for now and Gus is at my mom's (Marley and Gus switch out as the 4th horse at my house based on various reasons such as grass or if one is being ridden and at which location-basically it's complicated but it works) and I have Arrow, Finn, and Chimi with me.
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| Chimi and Finn being silly boys |
As soon as I let the ponies out they trotted around shoving their noses into the snow and frolicking around like teenage boys. Finn and Chimi started rough housing while Arrow stood patiently off to the side not wanting to be involved with the shenanigans that the boys were up to. And oh boy- Finn and Chimi were having a blast! They were biting at each other's blankets, rearing, kicking out, playing chase, rolling, and just having a blast! All play was totally harmless and very little contact was actually made, the pictures look worse than it actually was, they were just having a great time in the snow!
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| Finn says- I'm taller than you! Chimi laughs in his face |
After they got their sillies out I tossed them some hay, cleaned the barn, and headed up to the house to enjoy my snow day :) The dogs had enough playtime and were ready to come inside until later on. That evening I brought the ponies in and left them in their stalls overnight. We got another 1"+ and had around 6" of snow the next morning. We were suppose to get another 5" but the storm moved more north and we were able to escape with only 6"-8" (some friends in the area measured 8" at their house) instead of the 2ft of snow the more northern areas got!
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| Nova in her "natural" habitat |
Now 5 days later most of our snow is gone and the ground is sloppy wet. It should dry out by this weekend with temperatures climbing into the 60's (YAY!!!) and sun in the forcast. I'm glad I live in an area where snow is exciting and rare. I'm happily exhausted from the extra work the snow brings but very glad it's over too! I'm looking forward to getting back in the saddle and prepping for this season's events!!!!!!
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| Finn being silly |
