By Julie Goodnight

T Cody Blanketing Scotch

Here in the Rocky Mountains, November is always a month of transition. As the days grow shorter and colder, our horses shift from the green pastures of summer to the cozy rhythms of winter. Thick coats have come in, heavy blankets are back in rotation, and we’re all adjusting to the new normal—humans and horses alike. Winter Prep

The weather has been swinging from freezing mornings to warm afternoons, which means daily blanket decisions are part of the routine now. We’re extra mindful of how we handle blankets—we all put them on and off the same way every time and keep them folded and hung in a specific manner to avoid confusion. Consistency in handling is critically important for horse well-being.

With our dry climate, static electricity becomes a real challenge this time of year. Casper, my husband’s sweet gelding, especially hates being shocked. He’ll still come over to be blanketed, but he drops his head in such a dramatic, endearing way—it’s his way of saying, “I trust you, but I hate this!” To help manage the static, we spray ShowSheen® on the horses, mist the blankets with fabric softener as needed, and always ground ourselves by touching metal before blanketing. It’s a little thing that makes a big difference in keeping everyone happy and safe. Reducing Static Shock

Casper isn’t the only one showing his good manners. T Cody recently had her first ride out on Scotch, and it was a memorable one. As they rode through our neighbor’s yard, a whole family of deer came trotting up—five of them—intent on jumping back into the field where the trees are. They leapt into the pasture right in front of the horses, and not a single one—horse or deer—was alarmed. Scotch’s calm, willing attitude never ceases to impress me. He’s always calm, never overreacts, and seems to take the world in stride.

T Cody and Scotch

And then there’s Rip. Our now-yearling colt continues to be a bright spot in every day. After a recent arena ride, Rich and T Cody rode out into the pasture. The other horses went about their business, but Rip followed them as far as he could along the fence, then parked himself in the corner to watch the whole time. He never took his eyes off them, and when they returned, he followed them along the fence line as if to say, “Where are we going now?” I love how he sees people as a source of enrichment—he’s curious, attentive, and always watching. For a colt his age, that kind of engagement is golden. An Investment in Training

Rip’s transition into independent life as a yearling has gone smoothly. He and his mother, Annie, are together all day but now he’s sleeping in an outside pen with Abner and Scotch, while Annie has her stall inside at night. Rip continues to get regular handling—short and sweet sessions focusing on manners, patience, and desensitizing him to all the little things that will one day matter a great deal. There’s no rush; we’ve got time, and I want him to grow up knowing the world is a safe, interesting place to be.

With winter settling in, the pace slows down a bit here, but the learning never stops—for horses or humans. Whether it’s adjusting blanket protocols, riding young horses through unexpected wildlife encounters, or simply letting a colt like Rip watch and absorb the world around him, there’s always something to learn.

Until next time, stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy every moment with your horses.

—Julie