Got the mares out of the barn to stretch thier legs during lunch. Sassy was more interested in messing with Midnight which makes Midnight scream more. Mares are ridiculous.
The scale of the drifts is a little difficult to understand. These are DEEP for us. The official numbers are not out yet but we are sitting between 18" and 22". With 50mph winds and tiny flakes, that's a lot of snow. Never saw big flakes just the little ones more like sleet snow. Only in Spokane or NW Ohio's lake effect snow have I witnessed so much in 48hrs. Meanwhile I still have 3 flies that have survived and are buzzing around my overhead lights. It's safe to say cockroaches won't be the only bug to survive the apocalypse. 🪰
Had to save Nyx from the snow. They're saying 18" in Chapman which isn't far from here. I absolutely believe it's that deep if not more. Most of the drifts are hip high and I'm 5'9" with a 36" inseam. A few around the house and out by the road are shoulder deep.
It's a mess. Sitting at around 15F, winds are pretty decent but not typical Kansas strength yet. It's hard to tell how deep but drifts, even in places where it was stripped away, it's still 2-3" deep. Drifts by the house and around Brady's Explorer and the 2500HD arejust below the lights. Knee deep in the driveway. Calf deep down the driveway to the barn. Under all that is a .25" of ice.
Barn cats even saying no.
Ice is a mess! Brought the stall horses in around 1 after about 3hrs of turn out. This was about 90 minutes after the event started. They will be in for the next few days so I wanted them out for at least a little bit.
None of this happens without the people behind the scenes. I am forever greatful for you. Always, if you need me I am a phone call away.
Town and Country Veterinary Hospital keeps us upright
Smoky Hill Veterinary Services, LLC for being there in our emergencies!
K-State Horse Unit early years with these beedings
Equine Surgery & Medicine for the professionalism in absolute chaos of breeding season
Steve Marston who probably wishes I'd buy my own tractor soon. ❤️
TerryDebbie Thompson for taking excellent care of Pal all those years.
Michelle Black and John Dautel, Realtors for helping us buy and get the farm on its feet those first critical years.
Hay guys: Larry, Troy, Jason, Daniel, Dustin, and so many more.
Matthew Fleming who always say yes no matter how crazy the horse is to handle. Farrier Gold Edition
Ryan Odonnell and Danielle O'Donnell thank you for EVERYTHING you've done. I can't wait to see that baby in February.
Nike Storm my first baby buyer and one of my closest friends.
Justine Tincott (Brit too!) Keeping the farm alive when I'm not here. You have no idea how appreciative I am of that freedom.
Don Buckley who absolutely does not understand this journey but keeps trudging along with me. If he murderers me someday, I'll be the first to say, "I deserved it." #begforforgiveness
Gotta love it when your kid can jump on the 2yr old bareback and bridless in the pasture. Lexi popped on later and put some laps on her for experience. She will be Lexi's 3 yr old project next year for 4H. Looking forward to seeing the mare in the show pen next yr. She showed about 4 times last summer and picked up placings at each show. TBH Lucky Irish Assets (A Masked Asset x Pearls Jazzy Gin)
Chores with Cisco. If you're fixing fence, cleaning stalls, or feeding, he's there to support you. This sweetheart is super curious and loves to sniff your hair. Took another ride on him last night right as it turned dark. He's basically a trail horse deluxe. Way more whoa than go. I absolutely DO NOT need another horse and certainly not a gelding but this one is special. #OTTBwestern #ottersofinstagram #ottbsoftiktok
Today was HOTROD day. When you show IEA not only the riders are honored but one special horse of the show is honored. Hotrod was rock steady all weekend helping the kids and just doing his thing which is a whole lot of awesome. He assisted several kids on wins and high placing sending them onto Regionals. He's so amazing he made his entrance with Lexi bareback and in a halter and a lead rope!
