Baby It's Cold Outside

In case anyone hadn't noticed, it has been COLD around here. Which is normal for January in the Keystone State. But it has also been bitterly cold in parts of the country not used to arctic blasts. (Dare we say we told you it would be a cold winter?)

Citrus growers in Florida have been challenged to keep their crops warm and horse owners all around the country are reminded to make sure that their horses have enough warm water to drink. According to Greg Meyer, extension educator for large animals at Ohio State University, water is essential to keep a horse's body temperature regulated. "We typically think of keeping horses cool with water, but water is required for energy for keeping them warm as well."

Those without heaters to thaw water troughs and tubs should even consider bringing warm water from the house. "Nobody in these temperatures would want to drink 32 degree water," he noted.

Horses don't need blankets as much as they need protection from the wind. Closing horses in barns for too long can cause disease to spread rapidly. A three sided shed may be all the protection they need. Most horses, according to Karen Waite, equine extension specialist at Michigan State University don't even need a blanket if they have full coats and are in reasonably good condition.

In the meantime, ABC News is reporting that the tropical monkeys in Miami's Zoo are not as hardy as horses. Many are getting warmed by space heaters in their cages and manatees in Ft. Lauderdale are sidling up to an electrical power plant to bask in the warm water it emits.

On the home front, my dogs seem to be adjusting nicely to the cold--they stay inside a lot!

Stay warm wherever you are!