And So It Goes

Snowed Under

Well, it's not as bad as it could have been, unless we catch the back end of the storm and get more later today. I think we may have had 8 inches or so. Enough to plow out of the driveway.

I just came in from doing just that. I also cleared out part of the area in front of the barn where my shoer parks and in the process, dug up some more of the lawn. Definitely will need to do some reseeding when the snow goes again. I may even be able to put back some of the sod I dug up, even though I tried hard not to do much damage. *sigh*

The driveway is pretty easy, but it takes a least two passes with the little loader to clear the whole width. On the one side I plow downhill to the road and push the snow across to the other side. The danger there is getting hit by a car or truck passing by but the traffic was not too bad today due to the weather, so I was able to do it fairly safely. On the otherside, the grade is less, so I plow up the hill into the yard. This is where the mailbox is so I have to do a little extra clearing around it.

The good thing is that with a day of sunshine the leftover stuff will melt leaving the drive nice and clear so I won't have to worry about the kind of ice we might have if it were earlier in the season.

When I went out to late feed last night, the Boys were standing out in the open, layered in snow. They had all kinds of shelter and yet they chose outside in a full fledged snowstorm. When they came in for feed, they seemed almost relieved to be under the roof and, I think, stayed in for most the night. When I got up this morning, they were either inside the stalls or under the run-in shed roof--depending on who it was-- and their blankets seemed pretty dry.

So why did they need an invitation to come in last night? Does it not occur to them that it would be far more pleasant inside than out when it's snowing and blowing? It totally puzzles me, but it's not the first time I've seen it. They will stand outside in the rain too. My trainer said they don't like all the noise of wind and precipitation banging on the barn when they can't actually see what's going on. They prefer to be outside where they can scan for danger. Well, that may be, but once they were acutally in, they seemed pleased to stay there.

My neighbor's adult son is now plowing my aunt's driveway next door with an ATV and a little plow. I used to do it for her when I had the truck and plow here, but I haven't taken my tractor over yet. I'm glad the neighbor is doing it as he has a little more maneuverability in close quarters. He dropped by here the last snow to see if I was OK too, but I'd already done my own. I really like the feeling of independence being able to take care of my own driveway. It goes all the way around my house, so it must be well over 200 feet to be done--not a job for hand shoveling.

One of the women who takes lessons where I do called today to chat and to let me know she is going for a lesson at a nearby barn on Saturday. She was hoping I might want to go over to watch, and I think I will. I also mentioned that I might be thinking of giving some lessons myself once I retire to earn some extra money. She was really happy to hear that and thinks I could easily pick up some students. I haven't taught in years, but I'm pretty confident I can get people going in the lower levels. I can also teach basic hunt seat equitation and basic jumping skills as well. If I do, it means I must give up my amatuer status for competition, but at this point, it really doesn't matter. I am not too interested in competing anyhow, and most of the amateur classes put me in with the open riders anyhow.

I also will need to get insurance. I've contacted the company that insures the US Equestrian Federation members to see what their rates are. I already have the group membership liability coverage with them for regular horse activities, but it does not cover professional activities. Guess I have some time to think about all of this, but it certainly would be a good way to pick up some extra cash doing something I really love.

So, that's the plan for now. We'll just have to see how it all works out.