Just A Reminder To Winter Critter Keeping........

Our dogs go outside to do their business several times a day, We keep it in rather short bursts when the temps outside warrant it. Recently we've had single digit numbers Fahrenheit, so that's cold on their tootsies and there have been more than one occasion when we've had to carry them up the stairs because they've turned themselves over like bugs at the bottom of the stairs because they just couldn't take it anymore as much as they love frolicking in the snow.


Goats have got shelter and bedding within that shelter for winter and they do have their daily grain to start their chilly mornings and of course hay.


The horses have their shelter and winter turn-out blankets on them. I've found a Weaver brand that does it quite well. They are a mid-weight, water proof, fleece lined at the withers blanket with leg straps to hold them in place and the usual criss-cross under belly straps as well. Also a tail flap. They work well in this weather for the girls. And they cannot get them off. And let me tell you they try to remove them from each other.

The shelter is simply a lean-to. These girls will not be stalled, however, I have it set up for stalling if it becomes necessary as it did last year. No more pasture time for these girls as I do not want to risk another injury like last year. They have plenty of room to move around between the paddock and arena as it gradually becomes one area rather than two separate areas as Kola's large bottom has eliminated the gate and post. I'll be pulling more posts this spring. I do still need to spread straw for bedding in their "lay" areas. I'm a bit behind on that right now. But, the straw will go this week. There are about three different areas they lay in and I will make st aw beds for them there.

Plenty of fresh water. I keep a 100 gallon trough with a heater topped off and cleaned weekly for the horses and a 30 gallon heated bucket filled for the goats. I use the outdoor spigot and keep the hose indoors until use. Once I use it, I detach the hose from the spigot which keeps everything from freezing and allows the water to drop back down to the well. I learned that lesson along time ago. Of course the girls generally keep the same feeding regime, however, in the cold, I do up the hay a bit. Anything I forgot? Please feel free to add your winter horse, goat, critter keeping ideas and plans as I'm sure we all have things that we do that works and any ideas I haven't heard , I'd like to.................