Thoughts on Winter Rides

During yesterday's frigid ride, there were lots of thoughts running through my head that are pretty weather specific.  And since it's snowing AGAIN today, I figured I'd share them with you all.  You can either sympathize if you have them yourself, or get a little taste of winter weather if you're not experiencing it yourself.

My backyard currently.  That would be an ice rink, past the snow mounds.

Arrive at barn, realize there is a car stuck in the driveway.  Parallel park in the nearest snow bank, get all my shit out of the back, and think,

"I wonder if I should walk the rest of the way, or just shuffle so I don't fall on my ass."

Go to get Mollie out of her paddock and bring her in the barn.  Pull her blanket off and replace with tack and a cooler immediately.  Walk up to the indoor and think,

"Did I even pick her feet?  Screw it, she has snow pads on."

Warm up with several laps of walking and some lateral work.  Pick up a trot and notice your horse give the back door (that sounds like it might actually blow into the indoor at any moment) the hairy eyeball.  Literally say these words aloud:

"Oh for the love of god please don't spook.  I don't have it in me to deal with that today."

Horse doesn't spook.  Pat her for obliging your request.

Continue trotting for several minutes just to ensure blood is pumping through your and your horse's veins.  Finally come back to a walk and think,

"Are my thighs tingling because I worked out yesterday, or because I've developed frostbite?"

Walk a few more laps and dismount.  Cringe when your feet hit the ground and wonder,

"Did my feet just shatter because the bones are so brittle and cold?  Or are they just numb?"

Bring horse back to the barn, rip everything off of her, throw her blanket back on, stuff face with cookies, and put her back outside.  Think,

"Well that was the coldest forecasted day of the week.  Every day now should be better than this."

Actually check weather forecast to confirm thoughts.  See this and start dancing because it's going to BE IN THE THIRTIES THIS WEEK.  If it ever stops snowing of course.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS PEOPLE