This stretch of muggy/horrid/hot and rainy weather we find ourselves in has been hard on all critters. We do what we can to lessen their discomfort, and ours.
We take shorter dog walks, earlier in the day. Potty breaks happen between rain drops, whenever possible. Dog towels hang by exterior doors and water bowls are filled more frequently. Hummer feeders and bird bath water also gets swapped out more often.
My heart goes out to the farmers doing what they can to keep livestock from overheating. Our friend shared multiple calfs aborted due to excessive heat. I can only assume similar happens with wild life altho they may/may not have more options.
As for us, we are thankful for air conditioning! I come in/out often, to feel renewed. Gone are the days of spending time planted in front of fans. For fear of melting. I used all the tricks to keep a house cooler. The old farm house shaded from large oak trees was appreciated regardless.
Our horses let us know it gets hot out here in sand country. When they really want to get out of the elements, our split herd uses the shared shed (with divider) or they hover around the gate. Swatting bugs with their tails/legs/nose. Hoping their staff will notice and bring them inside for relief, and OH what a relief it is! No plop, plop, fizz, fizz required. All you have to do is walk through the barn door to feel cooler air. Our arena stays amazingly cool. Without air conditioning. Nice for when Brad is working with Cierra and/or Hope. Which he has been doing more frequently.
We are not bath crazed equine owners and do let our horses be horses. Mother Natures showers are the best. However after repeated hot-n-sweaty days our horses do appreciate getting hosed off and faces wiped with a cool wash cloth.
Even Ms. Hope. Who turns into sweet softness with a wash cloth rub. They all do to some extent. She is too funny! Hope wants to drink the hose water, and have water run onto her nose/nostrils. Hope does need to be reminded that big girls stand still, but is doing really well.
Below is a short clip of our trio coming in early from the back pasture. Not Harmony's normal response. It is usually a race and "whoa" can be heard. She must have been too hot to run.
6.23.25 (26 secs)
Brad spotted light beams peaking out of the cloudy sky. By the time I grabbed my phone and got outside, the first beam that went straight up had all but faded. I enjoyed watching the sky morph, and wondering...
2 comments:
Nice. My gals are getting daily baths from the rain and they seem to be doing well in this heat when they can get under the canopy of the forest and catch a breeze. They occasionally find a muddy spot and roll and shake to coat themselves with mud to keep the bugs off from them.
It is hot as heck out there.
I fell for you and the horses. We had one extremely humid day but we have maintained a cool breeze since then. Just the way I like it. I loved the video. The horses are so beautiful. I hope it cools a bit there.
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