#EventerProblems Vol. 94: Winter Is Coming

Go ahead and unpack those cozy sweaters, admire the cascading leaves, bask in the brilliant glow of late autumn. Soak up the season while you can because we’ve got bad news for you, suckers: The end is nigh.

All around the Eventing Nation, readers have been seeing the signs, heeding the omens and ‘Gramming ominous proof that winter is just around the corner. Here’s a sampling of the struggles that lie ahead.

The joys of blanketing …

That feeling when you finally have all the blankets sorted #horsepeopleproblems #eventerproblems #horses #cleaning #weonlyhave4horses #howdoesthishappen

A photo posted by @airbornflipside on Sep 25, 2016 at 7:12pm PDT

I’d feel bad for her if it wasn’t her own damn fault #why #badgoldie #getwrecked #eventerproblems #horseproblems

A photo posted by Rachel Healey (@rrachhealey) on Oct 26, 2016 at 4:54pm PDT

#eventerproblems #horseproblems #heonlyworeittwice #rip

A photo posted by Sydney Wells (@sydneymolly) on Oct 22, 2016 at 11:19am PDT

Literally the same blanket he destroyed last year #WHY #everytime #innocentface #eventerproblems #frostman #horseproblems

A photo posted by Sydney Wells (@sydneymolly) on Oct 3, 2016 at 1:21pm PDT

Fly, this is why you can’t have nice things. #eventerproblems #horsewareireland #amigo #oldenburg #younghorse #stripperhorse

A photo posted by Kate (@kate.suggs) on Oct 4, 2016 at 10:14am PDT

He’s so cute that you can’t possibly be mad at him for playing with his blankets ☕️&’s! #eventerproblems #bobnexttoprider #agroomslife #areyoureadyeventing

A photo posted by Danielle Beaver (@eventingbeaver) on Sep 30, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

The shortening of days …

Running out of daylight #teacherproblems #eventerproblems #amateurproblems

A photo posted by Sara Gartland (@sagartland) on Oct 11, 2016 at 4:19pm PDT

Schooling Vogue tonight with a couple of the flood lights on … winter is here! #eventerproblems #britisheventing #britishdressage #sellefrancais

A photo posted by Jay Kane (@jaykaneeventing) on Oct 5, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT

It’s a perfect day for a trail ride and I’m stuck inside at work. #eventerproblems #ottb #winteriscoming

— Skyfall (@EventerBode) October 20, 2016

The lengthening of coats …

When it’s clipping season and you have greys…: and contrast lines are a B!@$& to see. #eventer #greyhorseproblems #eventerproblems #connemarapony #eventhorse #bodynsoulequestrian #ilovemyjobsometimes #strivingforcleanlines #elmspringacacia

A photo posted by Body N Soul (@bodynsoul_equine) on Oct 21, 2016 at 9:52pm PDT

Rainy nights are for bodyclipping and beer || #oster #ottb #offtrackthoroughbred #eventerproblems #guesswhosbackbackagain #trotsetsfordays #thegeorge

A photo posted by ashley emig (@ash_emig) on Oct 19, 2016 at 7:02pm PDT

Another riveting Friday night in the books… 1hr and 45min spent clipping…and clipping… and clipping. This is also after the 35 minute bath. As you can see, he’s so thrilled with his pink blanket. #eventersofinstagram #eventerproblems #dressagehorses #jumpersofinstagram #yayfall #IHaveHorseHairinMyEyesNow

A photo posted by Hailey Norby (@pnw.eventing) on Oct 7, 2016 at 10:27pm PDT

It’s that time of year… #clipping #ithasbegun #fall #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Thompson Equestrian (@athompsonequestrian) on Sep 27, 2016 at 3:01pm PDT

Mixing accounting work and horse clipper repairs. #equestrianproblems #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Helen Donnell (@helendonnell) on Oct 20, 2016 at 9:04am PDT

Rainy nights are for bodyclipping and beer || #oster #ottb #offtrackthoroughbred #eventerproblems #guesswhosbackbackagain #trotsetsfordays #thegeorge

A photo posted by ashley emig (@ash_emig) on Oct 19, 2016 at 7:02pm PDT

To buy new clippers or fix my phone screen? The adult part of me says screen but the horse person in me says clippers#EventerProblems

— Arizona Eventer (@ArizonaEventer) October 21, 2016

The mud …

And so it begins ❄️☂️ #winteriscoming #muddy #eventingnation #horsesofinstagram #goeventing #eventerproblems #puremichigan

A photo posted by Renee Sternhagen (@renee.a.sternhagen) on Oct 20, 2016 at 3:35pm PDT

Pi got a pre workout bath in a rainstorm. Apparently he was trying to recreate color change Barbie with mud… The good news is that he’s been sound working on the ground all this week so I asked for a few canter strides each direction with success. Slow and steady baby! – #theswampmonsterisdead #eventerproblems

A photo posted by Kate Drake (@katedrakevt) on Oct 21, 2016 at 3:13pm PDT

I’m supposed to have this wholly mammoth clipped and sparkling white by tomorrow. It’s 7:30 pm and I’ve been in the classroom with 7th graders since 645. #eventerproblems #dgeventing #nomoregreyhorsesever

A photo posted by Courtney Sendak (@dgeventing) on Oct 21, 2016 at 4:24pm PDT

Stadium will be interesting at the mini trial tomorrow #eventerproblems #equestrian #fallishere

A photo posted by allikazoo (@allikazoo) on Oct 21, 2016 at 7:31pm PDT

The cold …

Frost everywhere ❄️☃️ #eventer #eventerproblems #canweheadtoocalanow #ocalaboundsoon #socold #keyskidswillalwaysbekeyskids #toodamncold #notenoughclothes #cantwaitforflorida #pupsicle #dogsofen #frozenpooch @goeventing

A video posted by Brittany Walker (@keysgirl221) on Oct 26, 2016 at 6:37am PDT

This weather is totally unacceptable ☃️❄️#freezing #whatthefuck #itisntevennovember #keyskidswillalwaysbekeyskids #carhartt #ineedaparka #36istoodamncold #eventerproblems #eventer #thethingswedoforponies #selfie #greeneyedgirl #blondie #humpday #kcco

A photo posted by Brittany Walker (@keysgirl221) on Oct 26, 2016 at 6:24am PDT

It’s quarter sheet, indoor arena weather ❄️Charlie and I love our @backontrackcanada products!! #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #stb #standie #standardbred #standardbreds #standardbredsofinstagram #teamstandardbred #schleese #dressage #eventing #eventerproblems #otsb #offthetrack #backontrackcanada #getbackontrack

A photo posted by Alexandria (@_abtiff) on Oct 23, 2016 at 3:58pm PDT

Hang in there, fellow eventers. It will all be over soon (“soon” being a very, very loose term).

What’s YOUR problem? Tweet it, Instagram it or share it on Facebook with the hashtag #EventerProblems for inclusion in the next edition of this series.

Go Eventing.