Is the tap still frozen? · Equine Experiences

Janet Wilson

🔥

10d • General discussion

Is the tap still frozen?

This is the first waking thought of the equestrian in deepest winter 🥶

How many coats is enough?

The answer is you can never have too many coats…

Winter horse people are not built for elegance.

We migrate slowly between field, yard and feed room, usually hunched, mildly traumatised.

We know when the thaw comes we will be stuck to the ground by mud that could legally be classified as an adhesive.

You can easily pick us out -

Listen for phrases such as “I can’t feel my toes”, “why is it always worse than yesterday”, or “I should have taken up yoga”.

What will help?

Tea or soup - hot.

Strong tea. The kind that fixes nothing but makes everything survivable. Ideally served in a chipped mug that has seen things. Or piping hot soup straight from the flask.

Avoid asking us questions like “are you ok?”

We are not.

We will say we are.

This is a reflex.

Common winter equestrian symptoms include:

• Multiple layers that somehow still fail

• Hands that cannot grip but must carry everything

• A stare that suggests deep reflection on life choices

Do not offer motivational comments.

“At least it’s dry” is dangerous.

“You knew what you were signing up for” will not end well.

“Why do you do it?” We don’t remember….(until spring and we enjoy the sun on our face as we canter through the woods). Until then we have no clue why….

We may oscillate between hysterical laughter and quiet despair.

This is normal.

You are normal.

Keep drinking the tea until you regain enough composure to return to the yard.

Because we will go back.

We always do.

Despite the cold, the mud, the frozen taps, and the emotional rollercoaster, we will pull our hat down, take a breath, and head straight back out.

Spring will come. Probably.

Summer Camps: www.equineexperiences.co.uk

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