The grey skies with my barn Christmas lights reflecting dimly in the mist.

For at least the 14th day in a row, it has been rainy, windy and cold.  I understand that many of you, especially on the East Coast have been dealing with below zero temperatures, which leaves my whining about 45 degrees to not have much merit.

Still, from our Texas perspective, it has been extremely difficult to work horses (or do horse related chores) between the cool (see I said cool not cold) temps and the rain and mud.  We have used three times our norm in shavings for the stalls with everyone inside all day, every day.

Most horseshoes are, well, horseshoe-shaped. This one goes all the way around and also has a screw on plate that covers the bottom.

Lauren re-did Bruno’s bandage today by herself.  She swept a clean spot in his stall (on the mats) and then placed a clean towel under his foot.  She unscrewed the plate, removed the old gauze, added medication, added new gauze, replaced the plate and re-bandaged the hoof.  Lauren swears it looks like it growing back each time she re-wraps it (every third day now).  I am providing enough hoof supplement to grow five horse’s hooves so hopefully it is.  Bruno quietly stood for her.  I think he has just given up on ever leaving his stall.  Faithful Kid, just hangs by Bruno’s stall or in the stall right next to Bruno, keeping his friend calm.

I think Kid is pretty happy with the separate housing for Bruno and himself as well.  Once the mighty leader of the herd, at 31 years of age, Mickey, Feather and pony Mimi were likely to harass him if he got in their way.  It is a much safer environment living on the locked-up Bruno side.

Tomorrow we are to try once again to take Mickey and Feather up to the trainer’s for a lesson.  It is forecasted to be 45 degrees and rainy.  That is Chicago weather not south Texas.  I hope we make the lesson but know his ring is already wet and soggy.

All six dogs totally sacked out after their sleepless nights of cats gone crazy.

The cats have finally settled down and the dogs (along with Lauren and I) are worn out from many nights of listening to crazy cats. I am hoping for a warm, quiet night.