This has been the type of winter that made Bob and I decided to “get out of Dodge!” That, for those of you who aren’t old enough to remember the old Western’s in the movies and on TV, is a quote from one of them. In our case it was “get out of New Jersey.” I feel so bad for all of you who are trying to take care of your animals in the conditions you’ve all faced this winter. I won’t mention that we are between 70’s and 80’s here on March 1st.
What I feel most sad for are all the wild animals that have, or will, die this winter because of all the snow and ice, and lack of food.
But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is coming! Soon, I promise, really. Your horses should be starting to shed. The days are getting longer, even though the temps are still pretty cold. You need to stop thinking about all you’ve been through, and start planning how to get your horse back in shape for riding. They’ve had a longer than usual lay-up, and once the weather breaks, you’re going to be itching to get on and ride. But please, remember the couch potatoes are not fit. You can run into a lot of injuries, and other health issues if you start them back too fast.
Check your tack also. Leather usually doesn’t like freezing conditions.
Start grooming, it will not only get some of that hair out, but it will massage those muscles. Think about the shows you are going to want to go to, or the trails that need to be ridden over. Also keep in mind that the trees have suffered from this winter and some of those trails might be blocked or dangerous. Maybe take your dogs for a walk and check them out. Remember you are going from the season of snow and ice, into the season of mud. Mud pulls on those weakened tendons and ligaments. Don’t over do it.
Stop looking back at the last few months, and start preparing for the good times ahead. And whatever you do, don’t by-pass spring in you mind, and let it run onto the season of flies and heat. That will come soon enough.
Spring forward, but take your time getting there.