Greetings from Northern Michigan

Tom and I work at the Boyne Highlands ski resort in the winter. We work outside and I must say this winter has been cold!!!! We have gone through a gross of hand and toe warmers since the beginning of December. Skiing conditions have been the best in years!
Our curly herd(of four...guess that could be a herd)are loving the snow. Their coats are full and they are well equipped to keep warm during the coldest of days. We feed them extra hay when temps drop so their body can metabolize the extra hay to keep them warm. Because we work outside we know how important fuel is with respect to keeping warm!! We rarely blanket during the winter months. Blankets tend to flatten their hair so they are not able to fluff up and trap heat and keep it next to their skin.....sort of like birds and down feathers. The biggest issue for us this time of year is a thaw, rain and the chance that our guys may get soaked to the skin. If that happens, then we take measures to dry them out, keep them dry until the temperatures return to normal for winter months in Michigan. We turn our horses out everyday so they can run and play and keep things moving through their system. Fresh water is so important too! Our stall buckets and out door tank are heated. Phantom, Ron, Treat and Warrior love that!!
All for now. Stay warm. Carol B.