Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Are Ya Ready?


Now is the time of year to get start to get ready for the winter months, Here's a list of things to do at this farm, anyway. Feel free to add anything I may have forgotten.
1) Last month, I actually did this, cleaned the horse blankets, which wasn't easy, however, I did it to the best of my ability and brought blankets upstairs and sprayed outside of blankets with Scotch Guard, figured it wouldn't hurt and may help to repel the wetness. Always worry about that since my blankets are a couple of years old.
2) Next on list is to super clean all troughs and check heaters, make sure they are working or perhaps go out and buy a new one.
3) Today, we'll be replacing outdoor light near where horses and goats are with motion detector light as our coyote population becomes way more apparent in the winter.
4) I have a tarp I use on north side of the fence between goats and horses because often they'll stand there. It makes a great wind break and I need to add another one to make it just that much longer of a wind break.
5) Stock up on feed and hay, which I have done already.........I'll need more as the months pass, but that's how it goes.
6) I've kept up with my shelter this year, but need to consider as it get colder, getting some straw to lay out in it for the colder months, also I lay out straw in front of the before mentioned tarp area they like to stand in.
7) Fall shots, which I need to schedule their appointment for or see if I can just pick them up at the Vet's office and give them myself.
8) And always the normal stuff that goes along with horse keeping year round, hoof trims, etc. . That really doesn't change does it.
9) Also, I keep my water troughs up on cement blocks to keep them off the ground and replace any winter items needing replacing.
It all has become so routine, not sure if I missed anything, but we have to hunker down here in the winter as you can see from the picture. Not to mention, winterizing our own home.

15 comments:

Katharine Swan said...

Hmmm, so why do you get the water troughs off the ground? I've never heard of that one before.

I have two blankets for Panama, so that I can rotate them when one gets dirty or busted (and it's sad how often the latter happens...) and has to go in for cleaning or repairs. One is clean but the other is not. Our local tack store washes blankets for cheap -- I'll be making a trip in there soon, I'm sure!

John and Regina Zdravich said...

Looks like a pretty thorough list to me....doesn't look like you forgot anything. Reminds me -- I need to make my own list and get busy!!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

I'm not going to have to worry about much winterization this year, at least in CO. I told my mom to get a list of things together that she needs done when we go back to SD in October though. At least I had everything cleaned up before I left there, so it's most likely just going to be moving a few water tanks and some horses around.

Paint Girl said...

So much to do! I am not looking forward to the wet and cold. But I am tired of the 80's.
The only thing we really need to do is get the water heaters and extension cords out. At the end of the last winter, I sent my blankets out to be washed, repaired and waterproofed. It's kinda spendy, but I don't like doing it myself. So we are set there. I just wish we could afford to do some more mud proofing! I hate the mud.
Good luck getting your list done!

Callie said...

Well, Katherine, the first reason I put them up on blocks year around , anyhow is because Miss Misty loves to get both front legs in the troughs and splash around,LOL, but it keeps them off the cold ground and snow. Don't freeze to the ground and I can flip them to clean them out easier, as I'm on time limit cleaning and refilling during subzero weather.

Michelle said...

Brrrr.....this is where I get to gloat about not having to winterize! ;) But I do remember those days from back in the Northeast and I don't miss them at all! Good luck completing your list - do you still have awhile before winter really sets in?

Callie said...

Well, I have a little while before it really hits, but we've had snow as early as October in the past.......

Anonymous said...

One item we have to check is to make sure we have enough working heated water buckets for the stalls for overnights - I think we're OK but your post reminds me to check!

Jean said...

It's the darn water heater in the trough I have to worry about. Last year, the one I had conked out. Fortunately I had a submersible replacement. Other than that, I have a bunch of blankets/sheets to either repair or toss out. Kind of put that off...you are jogging my conscience. *G*

Looks like a pretty complete list to me. Hope it all gets done in fine form.

Jeni said...

List looks complete. How about pull shoes? I have all shoes pulled after last show of the season.

Reminds me - I still need to buy Rosie a blanket. And I need to buy fence charger with more voltage to keep her in the fence. She still escapes when ever she feels like wandering.

Callie said...

JeniQ, Good point, only mine stay barefoot year round, so I wouldn't think of that, but if they are shoed ,I would assume to pull them for the winter, if they're outside.

Grey Horse Matters said...

We haven't even started yet, except for getting the blankets cleaned. Thanks for the reminder, I'm going to have to call the laundry to bring them back. You seem to have it all under control. Now let's hope it doesn't snow until January!

Vectormom said...

Wow, I don't miss that cold weather round up one bit!! I grew up in Fla, spent my career outside of DC, retired back to Fla. I remember how hard it was to take care of horses in the cold and I hated it! Warm windy wishes to ya!

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Victoria Cummings said...

Thanks for reminding me. I'm not only going to clean the blankets that still fit, but sell the ones that Siete has outgrown. Let's hope that this winter isn't as brutally cold as last year!

Joe said...

Great list there. I have some repairs to complete on our lean-to, and maybe one more worming to go before real cold weather hits us here in mid-Michigan.