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Post by MaryS on Dec 7, 2013 18:26:16 GMT -5
Texas weather! I can't check on my horses  the roads are just ice and I haven't seen them since Thursday night. I did check that there was water before I left. However, I am sure that has a frozen layer or so by now. I think the weather will warm enough tomorrow to thaw and I'll be able to check on them. I just worry about them, since I can't see them. I hope they'll eat the sleet ice on the ground to get some water if needed. What do you do up north if you can't make the drive to check on your horse? I don't have a person nearby to check on them. |
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Post by cyndi on Dec 7, 2013 19:16:33 GMT -5
That's got to be tough! I hope you can get out to see them soon. I've always boarded Fanny at barns that had the owners on site. The 'worst' scenario for me was that I wasn't able to get to the barn to give her her supplements, due to snow. I'm sure the horses' instincts will kick in and they'll do what they need to do to get water. One barn owner we had never gave the horses water during the day (I would give them water when I'd visit Fanny, though), because he expected them to just eat snow. I know you don't have snow, but perhaps there is a slight thaw during the day so that they can lick whatever water is available on top of the ice, or they could break the ice and chew on it. Horses are pretty resourceful. I'm sure they're fine  |
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Post by horsespoiler on Dec 7, 2013 22:04:22 GMT -5
Mine have always been able to break the ice, I think it's the mustang that does it. Ours are at home so we don't have to drive anywhere but don't put yourself in danger, they are very resourceful.
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Post by ghostrider on Dec 7, 2013 23:35:50 GMT -5
Call the sheriff's dept and ask if one of them is going by? and could they just check for you.
Most will drive by since they are usually out cruising anyway.
Mustangs in Wy are without water for weeks and eat the snow. Boomer eats and LOVES ice. Sometimes they'll stand out there and lick the ice on top of the tubs rather than drink from their heated trough.
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Post by vsolubo on Dec 9, 2013 1:07:45 GMT -5
I worry about mine in this weather, but I know the owner of the property comes by regardless of how bad the weather is. He goes out in his big tractor with a big round bale for his cows & on the way back stops at the barn & throws hay for the horses, than he put just enough water in the tank for the horses to drink immediately. Here it is different; we get freezing weather, but can go weeks with no snow/rain. I've seen them down at the pond pawing to break the ice, but that worries me because I've also seen horses & cattle get out on the ice, break through & freeze to death (or drown).
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Post by ghostrider on Dec 9, 2013 10:55:33 GMT -5
My guys have always had a heated tank but when I was in H.S in Wy we had to go water Malo twice a day because there was no power out where he was at. It was awful.
I had a barn neighbor once who had a propane stock tank heater and I've seen the solar panel ones in the magazines. Might be worth looking into or you might find one on Craigs list?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2013 14:15:08 GMT -5
I hope you got out there? I would be nervous, too. I just HATE frozen water tanks, tank heaters, etc. I am very fortunate, as I have a automatic waterer. This is my second year with it, and it's such a relief! The mini doesn't have access to it, but I just take her a pail full every day and she does well. We have a hydrant right outside the barn, and I have to take a pitcher of hot water and pout on it before using it. That's about the extent of my work watering now. Before I had to haul hoses in and out of the house, etc. I do not miss that!!
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Post by cyndi on Dec 9, 2013 17:54:53 GMT -5
If I had my own place, I'd invest in a Sun Tank (http://www.ranchtanks.com/productinfo.html). They keep water from freezing in the winter, and help control algae in the water in summer.
Mary, I hope you were able to check on the horses, and that all is well!!
I know that the horses where Fanny is are given water at night, but I don't know what they do during the day. Right now it's warm enough that the geldings have a little brook running through their field. The mares have two ponds in their field, but today it looked like they were frozen over. I remember the barn owners telling me that the geldings have a heated tank, and the mares have an automatic waterer...but that is by the barn, and the horses aren't near the barn during the day :/ I guess they are expected to eat snow.
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Post by MaryS on Dec 9, 2013 23:55:30 GMT -5
It thawed on Sunday enough that the main roads cleared. I checked on them and brought hot beet pulp mash and alfalfa. They seemed fine. I could not get out there tonight because the gravel road is still iced over. Tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny and above freezing. I can't wait for the ice to be gone!
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Post by ghostrider on Dec 10, 2013 0:02:46 GMT -5
We got 3" before I got off, not sure how much we'll have before I go back in the a.m.
Glad your horses were okay.
Nana I had a nelson and loved it, also had a Spring brand but they are harder to clean then the nelson with removable bowl.
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Post by cyndi on Dec 10, 2013 8:24:43 GMT -5
That's great to hear, Mary! I'll bet the horses appreciated their hot mash Crazy weather everywhere - colder than normal! So far the Farmer's Almanac is right  |
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Post by horsespoiler on Dec 10, 2013 21:54:26 GMT -5
Well we aren't home yet but I understand all of our pipes are frozen right now. The neighbors are hauling water for the horses. He left all our indoor faucets dripping and I left the furnace on 55 but everything's frozen now. I hope nothing bursts before we get back. The pump is shut off just in case. I understand it was well below 0 last night. I don't want to live in the motor home after we get home. |
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Post by vsolubo on Dec 11, 2013 3:02:28 GMT -5
HS, hope the pipes are ok & your home doesn't get flooded! Dennis doesn't want to put a stock heater in the tank because my Bear & his Billy both play with them. Even the submerged ones. I think Marie would be a player also; she loves to carry things around in her mouth. He is afraid 1 of them will get electrocuted.
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Post by cyndi on Dec 11, 2013 19:46:54 GMT -5
Oh, HS, that is awful!! When it rains, it pours!! I sure hope that none of your pipes burst, so that you don't have to live in the RV.
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Post by ghostrider on Dec 17, 2013 18:43:12 GMT -5
60'F here yesterday and it was about the same today too. Next storm isn't due till Sat and it's supposed to stay in the 50's till then. Unfortunatly even with his cavello boots on the road was still slipery. There is ice under the melted mud every place that's shaded by trees. We rode aways down the road till we hit the first shaded spot and Buddy slipped a couple times so I turned him around and went back to unsaddle. URGH
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the roads are just ice and I haven't seen them since Thursday night. I did check that there was water before I left. However, I am sure that has a frozen layer or so by now.
