Winter Weather

Well, the New Year is here again and with it the Winter cold. It has been a long time since we’ve experienced temperatures below 32 degrees here in South Texas. Thank goodness both Ziggy and I have grown sufficient winter coats to keep us warm! Our mistress also makes sure our coats are brushed daily so the hairs can stand up and create a warm air barrier between the cold air and our skin. We have also been eating well: feed and alfalfa hay or cubes, which keep our bellies full. There is still grass in the pasture, but the pickings are slim. The goats still have plenty of browse to keep them full. They’re lucky being able to live in two worlds: grazing and browsing; unlike Ziggy and I who are strictly grazers, although Barnaby, the Boer goat, has been complaining that the yaupon leaves aren’t so tasty in Winter as in Spring or Summer. I told him to quit complaining and be thankful he has any browse at all!

Our mistress was quite sick over the holidays with something called “The Flu”. Nevertheless, she took good care of us while bundled up like an eskimo. The dogs, Barkley and Rio, were full of piss and vinegar. Ziggy runs around which only makes them chase her all the more. I’ve told her time and time again: “Just stand your ground and make as if you are going to kick them. They’ll stop chasing you.” But she won’t listen. Silly mare.

Well, enough talking. Hopefully, the weather will warm up in a few days and the sun will be out and we can go back to basking in its warm rays. See ya!

Back in Action

I’m back! Took some time off, but now that the weather is getting cooler, both Ziggy and I are ready for some action. I overheard my mistress talking about going to the big show arena just twenty minutes down the road. The farrier is coming tomorrow, so my feet will be in great shape. The show arena has nice footing and I love to gallop around and show off some of my Dressage moves. I’m a bit rusty, so I know my mistress will take it slow. Don’t want to overwork those tendons! I think Ziggy is writing an article about that, so check out her website Hooves and Paws Corner

Cushing’s Disease

Have you ever heard of Cushing’s Disease? Well, I hadn’t. That is until my pasture buddy Ziggy wrote about it in an article on www.HoovesAndPawsCorner.com. She fancies herself a writer and doesn’t do too bad a job at it. She told me that Cushing’s Disease is caused by a non-malignant tumor that presses against the pituitary gland in the brain. Of course, Ziggy is talking way over my head. Pituitary gland? What is that? All I know is that horses with Cushing’s Desease grow long coats even in the summer, and can suffer from laminitis which is a very painful condition affecting horses’ feet. Boy, am I glad I am healthy! All I have to worry about is showing up in time for supper. LOL