Winter Ponies!

Winter Ponies! The boys, Mike(below)

  and Oslo got brand new heavyweight blankets this year, and we broke them out for the onset of real winter temperatures last night. As you can see in Oslo's photo (below)  it is snowing, in typical, vicious, horizontal, Ohio fashion. As you might note, I use the term "ponies" loosely, as none of them are actual ponies ( which would designate them to be 14.2hh or less. A "hh" is short for "hand" which is a horseman's measurement equaling 4 inches. A horse's height is measured from the ground to the top of the withers, which is where the neck meets the back.) In fact, Oslo's blanket is the largest one made for the commercial market, at 84" from chest to tail- certainly not used for many ponies. That would be a really stout pony.

Sammie got her old blanket back. In fine shape, and plenty warm for the winter. Peaches, also got her old blanket back on, but I didn't get her picture. Just so you know, she's warm too. And for those who are wondering what Mike has on his head, it is a cribbing strap. Mike, you see, is a Thoroughbred, and some of the breed tend to be a bit high strung. He is one. He does not sit still. And, when he eats, as well as other times of day, but particularly then, he want to put his front teeth on a horizontal surface, draw backward and suck in air. This is good neither for him, nor the surface. It is called "cribbing" in horse parlay, and to be discouraged. The strap makes it difficult for him to tuck his chin and pull in air. I have to say, we can leave the strap off him for long periods of time now, as he is getting more settled here at Cowfeathers, and doesn't fall back on the habit as often.

Now, if the darn mud would just freeze completely!