The weather is revolting and descending further into utter nastiness – F10 tonight and tomorrow.  Not nice.  The girls plus visitor have had to postpone their arrival. ETA Friday now.

And I worry about the Icelandics.  They, on the other hoof, are not worried about much.  They are out 24/7 and last night was no fun – I don’t think it stopped raining all night but this morning they all traipsed up the hill for their breakfast buckets.

I looked at Iacs’ coat (and I know I always go on about this) but the Icelandic horses really are well designed for bad weather. Their winter coat is called a “double coat” and the long hairs makes the water drip away, leaving a dry finer undercoat underneath.

So that is why I am very reluctant to wash anyone or rug because they would lose this insulation.  Also add the fact that none of them have ribs (read ** fat **) that I can find or feel. I do try.

The field they are currently living in is perfect for winter.  It has lots of very sheltered areas and a good growth of grass means the horses can get out of the worst of the weather and are safer outside.  If anyone is shaking tomorrow with cold, then obviously I will get them inside but, as they get all panicky and anxious, I think they are better off outside at the moment.

But this is what we call nice weather for ducks.   They can keep it.