January 30, 2026: When Winter Shows Up Uninvited
Hello. It’s Bee.
And yes, it’s really me again.
A lot of you said you liked hearing from me, so here I am, back again this week with more opinions. And a lot of you also messaged Mom with concern about the cold weather and how I was faring, which I found very touching and slightly dramatic, but appreciated nonetheless.
So let me reassure you right up front. I am warm, fed, hydrated, and very much myself.
Now let’s talk about the weather.
On Friday, things felt reasonable. Mid-50s. No drama. Then sometime around midnight, winter kicked the door in. Temperatures dropped to 32, and by Saturday the icy rain arrived and the thermometer slid from freezing to a very rude 15 degrees. Add the wind, and suddenly it felt like the low single digits.
Sunday didn’t improve morale. Icy rain continued under cloudy skies. We started around 15 degrees, dipped to 11, and only rebounded to about 19. Nights felt even colder. Roads were icy. Humans questioned their life choices.
And yet, every horse here was warm, healthy, and thriving.
That’s because the barn crew showed up. Every single day. Through ice, wind, and miserable conditions. They checked blankets, made sure nobody had shimmied out of theirs, kept water troughs from freezing, and made sure we were eating and comfortable. The barn owner even braved the elements to post videos so our humans could see that we were all just fine.
We noticed. Even if we didn’t say thank you out loud.
Monday brought a slow thaw, starting around 14 and climbing to 30. By Tuesday, we’re finally back into above-freezing temperatures, which honestly feels like a gift.
My girlfriends and I left the round bale.
Walked the whole icy pasture to see my mom.
I may have mentioned something about a treat. She’s always got something in her pockets.
Now for a little education, because sudden cold snaps always bring questions.
Horses are actually very well designed for cold weather. Our winter coats trap air close to the skin, creating insulation that helps retain body heat. As long as that coat stays dry and fluffed, it does a remarkably good job. That’s why blanketing decisions depend on more than just temperature. Wind, moisture, age, body condition, and workload all matter.
Another big piece of the cold-weather puzzle is hay. Digesting forage generates heat. It’s like an internal furnace. When we have constant access to hay, our bodies stay warmer from the inside out. That’s why you’ll often see horses happily eating even when it’s bitterly cold. We’re not bored. We’re fueling the system.
Water matters just as much. Horses tend to drink less in cold weather, which can increase the risk of dehydration and impaction colic. Keeping water unfrozen and encouraging intake is critical. That’s why barn staff checking troughs multiple times a day is such a big deal. Winter care isn’t passive. It’s active management.
Blankets, when used correctly, help block wind, shed moisture, and support horses who need a little extra help maintaining body heat. They also require supervision, because some of us believe belly bands are optional accessories.
The big takeaway is this. Sudden temperature drops look scary, but with proper management, horses handle cold weather very well. Consistent care, dry coats, plenty of forage, unfrozen water, and attentive humans make all the difference.
Girls’ day at the round bale. Warm bellies, full hearts, zero drama.
And then there’s the boy making noise, watching from a safe distance like, “I’ll just be over here.” 🐴
Winter rules: eat your hay, stick with your girls, and keep an eye on the boys.
Cold weather like this also comes with a humbling reminder. Even people who know horses inside and out can make decisions with the very best intentions and still get it wrong. That realization, honestly, made mom feel a whole lot better this week as she continues to manage my sore leg, worry about my water intake, and whether to blanket me.
A veterinarian friend of Mom’s, who also owns horses, experienced this firsthand. Last summer, one of their horses had a horrific arena accident. The leg became trapped under a fence, scraping skin and muscle all the way to the bone. Since then, they’ve been meticulously managing the wound. Months of careful care followed, and the healing was remarkable. Muscle had regrown, skin was looking great, and only two small patches remained.
When this cold snap hit, and thinking like humans often do about how their scars ache in freezing weather, they wrapped the leg to protect it. Overnight, the wrapped leg became wet, froze, and the skin and muscle were torn away with the bandage and movement, reinjuring the leg just as badly, if not worse, than the original injury. The horse had to be sedated, was treated at home and is now waiting for safe road conditions so it can be transported to an equine rehabilitation hospital for specialized care.
This wasn’t ignorance. It wasn’t carelessness. It was love, concern, and a thoughtful decision that had an unforeseen outcome. Horses have a way of humbling even the most experienced among us. The lesson here isn’t fear or guilt. It’s awareness, adaptability, and grace. We do the best we can, we learn, and we keep showing up for them the next day.
As for me, here’s where I’m at for now. We’ve come back off the meds, I’ve had a full week of rest, and things with my leg are looking good. We’re taking it slow because the ice in the pasture and on property hasn’t quite melted yet, paying attention to the small things, and letting my body tell us what it needs. Mom may update this as the week goes on, but for now, I’m comfortable, quiet, and on the right track.
This weekend was a powerful reminder of how much work happens behind the scenes when the weather turns ugly. It takes planning, grit, and people who show up even when it would be easier not to.
And to everyone who checked in, sent messages, and worried about me, thank you. I felt the love. I’m doing just fine, and I promise to keep reporting in as long as you keep listening.
Until next week,
Bee 🐴
Still warm. Still eating. Still unimpressed by ice.