Sunday, October 5, 2008

'Tis the Season to Wear Orange

It never gets bitterly cold on the south coast of BC, so unclipped horses really don't need insulated turnout blankets. They do, however, need protection from the incessant rain. Both horses have been wearing 840 denier rain sheets with a mesh lining since last spring, but Tonka had torn most of one shoulder out of his. A few weeks ago I got a good deal on two nice 1200 ripstop denier shells with nylon lying for this winter. They are longer with a higher neck and a better tail flap, and I had been saving them for the really bad weather. After Saturday's incident I didn't want to put the same sheet back on Raven, so we busted out the new ones. They look like giant jack-o-lanterns (and I look like I'm dressed in farm clothes yet again).

The weather was typically Octoberish this weekend with high winds, fast-moving clouds and periods of heavy rain. The horses are starting to get hairy in earnest, and I just love smelling those long tufts where the jaw meets the neck. They don't seem to mind much.

David and I did manage to get some more work done on the shelter, and now that we have a system the remander should go up in another afternoon. Hard work for two iffy backs (David's started to hurt the day after mine -- mysterious!), but I am pleased with the result.



5 comments:

Brandy said...

Oooh, that's coming along! It will be nice!

And Mr. Happy Tonka looks so sweet with you sniffing his 'tufts', LOL!

Those new blankies are snazzy! They both look happy to have them. I hope you all are getting well!

Black Jack's Carol said...

Just wanted to say I'm really enjoying your blog. Those blankets look just perfect, and I so remember the smell you're describing in that picture. One of these days, I will write about my year working in stables in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal. It was a sad one in many ways (I hope the riding population is more informed in BC), but I learned so much, and the life you are giving your horses is the one I would choose if I were ever to enter that world again.

allhorsestuff said...

OH!
I just loved those colors when I saw them in the catalog. Great looking on your horsefaces too...And Yes, the color will help you identify them anywhere on the property, that is forsure!
Happy Fall!

allhorsestuff said...

I am crackin' up here...just noticed the header on your blog
index, "Cure Insomnia"...that is why I am reading right now...at 12:14am! I thought it would be a heck of a lot more fun than tossing and rolling the cat off the bed as I just did! At least for me..Elsie is back in her spot now that I have left....
Thanks for the reading and the fun!

Mrs. Mom said...

Those new blankets look great. Have to see how they hold up for those fellows of yours, and see about getting one for Sonny. Knock wood, so far he seems pretty gentle on blankets!

Too bad about BOTH your backs!! Hope you heal up quickly!!!