February can be one of the hardest months when you keep horses.
February always feels like the month that really tests you when you keep horses. Winter’s gone on long enough, the ground is permanently wet, and it feels like you’re constantly battling mud, puddles and never-ending jobs. Nothing dries properly, everything takes longer than it should, and some days it can feel like hard work just getting through the basics.
The horses, of course, don’t notice the calendar. They still need feeding, mucking out, turning out and bringing in, no matter how bleak it feels outside. I’ve found this time of year is all about small wins and little bits of organisation that make life easier.
Filling hay nets whenever I get a spare moment has been a big help. It takes the pressure off in the evenings when it’s cold, dark and you’re already tired. Keeping the yard and paths swept and raked as best as possible makes a difference too — not just for keeping things tidy, but for making the daily routine that bit safer and less draining.
Feeds get made up in advance whenever I can. There’s something oddly comforting about knowing they’re ready to go when you’re rushing out before work or finishing late. And if you’ve got a good friend on the yard, job sharing can be a real lifesaver. One feeding in the morning, the other bringing in at night — it lightens the load and lifts the spirits more than you realise.
Winter grooming is another battle altogether. Mud seems to find places you didn’t know existed, and some days you just want the horse clean enough without spending hours scrubbing. A decent shampoo and stain remover has definitely helped cut grooming time for me, especially when you’re trying to juggle everything else the season throws at you.
The biggest challenge in February, though, is keeping your mindset steady. It’s easy to feel worn down when progress feels slow and every field looks the same shade of brown. But if you stop and look, things are changing.
The evenings are noticeably lighter now. The mornings, very gradually, are following suit. Snowdrops are out along the hedgerows and in the corners of fields — quiet little reminders that spring is edging closer, even if it doesn’t feel like it yet.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, even through all the mud and puddles. Horses have a way of teaching you patience, resilience and perspective, especially at this time of year.
As the saying goes:
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.”
February might be tough, but we’re coming out the other side now — one lighter evening at a time.
