Woke up to sunshine, the sun was over the mountains and below the clouds. Some days, when it’s above the clouds, it is then overcast. There is thus just a small window of time when it’s sunny. Today it was 18˚ F when I went out to tend to the horses – it has recently been 31˚ F. The odd thing is, in the fall/winter –finter – it takes some time to get used to the cold. It’s called getting acclimated. In the fall, 30˚ F seems really cold. Now it’s just right if the wind isn’t blowing.

Horses waiting for Josh

Our farrier, Josh Morris, was scheduled to remove the ice horses’ shoes, trim their hoovies (as I call them), then put the ice shoes back on their hoovies. I was ready for him at 10 a.m. I brushed Raudi, having decided that it was best if she went first – when the veterinarian came and did spring exams, she was last. She watched Zach tend to Hrimmi and Tyra and decided that what he was going to do was not to her liking. So she gave us all the stink eye.

Josh rescheduled for noon. I had to leave here at noon and go to the Meeting House for the open house. So Pete held the horses while Josh did the farrier work. I came home and the only sign I saw that he’d been here were a few hoof trimmings. I picked one up and gave it to Shadow. I used to think that they were bad for dogs in that they caused them to vomit, but I don’t think so anymore. The dogs never seem to get sick.

I did have some time before Josh was to get here at noon, so I decided to go for a horseback ride. Pete said that he’d join me, so he rode Raudi, and I rode Hrimmi down road. Raudi was a tad bit lethargic, but Hrimmi was energetic. She trotted nicely most of the way home.

This evening, after the Open House. I came home, and after giving Pete the day’s news, I took Tyra out for a ride. On the return home, she even outdid Hrimmi. For the longest time, she would not trot – but she seems to have taken to it.

All the ponies are still wooly. I always wonder if and when I’ll find the time to brush out their undercoat. And no matter how busy I am, I do this.

No summer trip. The book project is taking precedence. I get depressed thinking about it. This is the last summer that we’d be taking Ryder along. She’s getting old. She continues to do very well when out on the trails with Pete. But in the next year, she’ll undoubtedly politely say no when Pete asked her if she wants to go for a ride. Raudi is also getting up there, but there is the likelihood that she could do a trip next year.

At least I am riding again now.

Next: 97. 4/8/23: Spring???