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Regional,
Monthly All-Breed Horse Magazine • Since 1993 |
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Copyright 2012 Rocky Mountain Rider. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any editorial material, artwork and photos is strictly forbidden without express written permission of the publisher. For information about reprint rights, please contact the editor; editor@rockymountainrider.com.
February
2012 Issue
This pendulum-like weather we’ve been having is double-edged with pros
and cons. It’s cold and then it’s warm and then cold again. Last week, we
had a deep snow and I’m sure the snowplow drivers were enjoying their
overtime.
But that snow lasted only 36 hours before it started raining. And
raining. Much of the snow magically melted and what remains of it are giant,
hardened snow mounds where the snowplows did their efficient work.
Meanwhile, with rain on top of frozen ground, mini lakes formed in my
corral and pastures and promptly froze again. The footing is a cross of rough
and icy spots, so not as treacherous as “all ice” would be, but enough to
worry me about the horses’ footing.
In one of the warm periods two weeks ago, we were blessed with the
malodor of a black-and-white local resident who was lurking somewhere around
either my barn or the neighbor’s. “Oh,” I thought, “what in the world
has wakened him in the middle of January?”
In the deep snow last week, I noted a smaller-sized dog track imprinted
in a lope across our yard. It was not as small as my little dog, whose track is
about the same size as the cats’, so I figured it was the fox.
Sure enough, the next morning, my dog started barking her head off as she
stood with her paws on the window sill of the south side of the house. Soon she
ran to the east side, yippin’ and yappin’ hysterically. We looked out to see
a red fox trotting near the barn and then into the horses’ pasture. The horses
didn’t seem to notice, which tells us that the fox is a frequent visitor.
While the snow held, I saw its track near the barn and through the yard almost
to the front door of the house.
We like to put out scraps like old bread and chicken carcasses for the
ravens or the foxes. We enjoy watching the birds circling over the yard and
carefully landing to grab a tidbit. However, since the recent reeking
reappearance of Mr. Skunk, we’ve decided that we’d better walk those scraps
way, way out in the field. Some creatures are not worth attracting!
The winter mornings are lightening a little earlier each day, so that
means the evenings, as well, are a little longer. Even so, I still arrive home
from the office after dark where I put on my barn clothes and boots.
I feel fortunate that Rick has taken care of the most pressing of the
barnyard chores, and I find the stalls mucked out and the water trough filled…
and the hose drained!
And then, spoiled creature that I am, I go back to the house where Rick
has prepared some delightful meal for us. I don’t want to gloat, but his
chili, pot roast, breaded chicken, meatloaf and stuffed peppers are fantastic! I am thankful to enjoy these luxuries throughout the winter.
Copyright 2012 Rocky Mountain Rider. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproduction of any editorial material, artwork and photos is strictly forbidden without express written permission of the publisher. For information about reprint rights, please contact the editor; editor@rockymountainrider.com.
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Rocky
Mountain Rider Magazine • Montana Owned & Operated |
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