Heat Dome

 That seems to be the media catch phrase for this. Whatever you want to call it, it’s record-smashing-hot over here, and the humidity is also nothing to laugh at. It feels like we’re in the tropics. I’m trying to view it as my delayed Zihautenejo vacation from 6 months ago :)

I’ve seen multiple posts floating around re: how safe it is to exercise your horse in this heat. A quick check shows we’re in the “do it very carefully” or “don’t even think about it” range depending on the time of day. My show was cancelled, which is fine...because I’ve opted not to ride in this at all. B isn’t built for the heat, and I’ve got no urgent reasons to get S out. Much easier to open the gate to their shady paddock, put out extra fresh water, and let them decide how much they want to move and how much shade is appropriate. Maybe I’m erring on the side of being too careful but with no equine vets here and very rustic amenities where I board, playing it safe is my go to at the moment.

Pretty sure B is OK with this plan

So, besides spending many free hours swimming in a nearby lake and lounging in the shade with a cold drink, I’ve been cleaning my tack and trailer, getting the camera out for some photos, and moving the electric fences around that divide the fields into pony appropriate rations.

Basically all the little things I normally have to rush or lack time for.

Look who I found this morning while I was moving the electric fence: 

I literally almost tripped over this little one. It just happened to be right where I wanted to put a post, otherwise I doubt I’d have known it was there at all.

I’m erring in the side of caution and moved the ponies. I’d like to think they would all coexist (momma has been sharing their field off and on since last fall) but I don’t want to find out the hard way that they don’t. The barn owner was pretty worried about Sophie yesterday, so I think best S especially stays out, just in case.

They looked peaceful enough this morning, tho.

B likes this change of venue. (Don’t worry, what is in camera frame is literally all there is, and she’s sharing with Sophie - she’s not out on acres of green grass. It amused me she waded right to the middle of it though, it’s fun being buried in your food, I guess!)

I’ve booked some time off later next week to get back on track with barn renos and ponyventures. For now, I’m going to enjoy my weekend “tropical vacation”