Unseasonably Warm

January south western Pennsylvania has been in the 20's and 30's for as long as I can remember, but not this year! The weather is unseasonable warm. We reached at least 56 F today and the air is really damp. By Tuesday we are supposed to hit 60 and back in the 40s the next day. I can't complain, because I am not a cold weather person. Velvet not only has a winter coat, but also baby fur. She was feeling a bit warm on her chest and oh my, she and the goats are just starting to shed! Seeing this makes e want cold weather soon, because we usually have rather cold weather from January through March. I have seen a foot of snow and below zero temperatures in mid March.

Seizing the moment, I spent a lot of not so painfully cold time outside with the horse and goats. Since it was wet the goats just hung around near the barn, but Velvet obliged and went out in the field with me to play a little bit. She was not as active as other days being that it has not been this warm since I got her. Since it was so warm I was able to spend quality time with Velvet, just sitting with her outside while she ate her hay and walked with her grazing. I want to create a deep bond with her. She is not just a horse to ride. I want her to be a faithful companion. I want her to trust me fully. Trust takes the human and horse bond a long way and is well worth it.

At 10:30pm I did my last feeding. At this point I bring Velvet inside for the night and the goats are usually already in, but since it was so warm the goats were laying just outside the barn, but as soon as I appeared they ran inside. Velvet on the other hand was outside somewhere and she was the one I needed to feed. I found Velvet as she nickered when she heard me call her. She was a about 150 feet away from the barn. I walked out to feed her and planned to walk her right in, but after she ate and before I could do anything she turned and hurriedly walked the other direction, so I figured I would bring out the hay, get Velvet's halter and bring her in. Normally, I just use a lead rope around her neck or nothing at all, but tonight was different. I got the hay and as I was putting it in the rack I noticed one of my goats was startled. It was Velvet, she came running back to the barn door and was standing outside. I walked outside with just the lead rope and she seemed startled and a little nervous. I brought her inside and she practically trotted in, which is unusual. Once the door was shut Velvet was still feeling edgy. I talked to her and she nosed me and started to relax enough to munch on hay. I guess she thought she was brave while I was out there in the dark with her, but once everyone was inside she was not so brave. I was very happy to see that she felt some peace once I talked to her and petted her. All is well now.