Surviving the Cold
(Yes, Even in Texas)

By Kenneth Fomby

Now look, I know what the folks up north are thinking — “Cold? In Texas? Please.” But let me tell you something: when that wind cuts across the open pasture at 25mph and the troughs freeze solid overnight, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got bluebonnets in the spring — winter is real.

And down here, we’re not exactly built for it. Our horses aren’t, our barns aren’t, and let’s be honest, some of y’all are still using plastic buckets from 2006 that crack if you look at them funny. So let’s talk about how to keep things safe, warm, and working when Mother Nature decides to yee-haw in reverse.

1. Gear That Doesn’t Quit

If you’ve got buckets that crack in a cold snap, it’s time to upgrade. The KD‑120 Bucket was born for this. We engineered it to handle Texas winters (and then some) — thick-walled plastic, zero petrochemicals, and a perimeter metal ring that won’t pull through even if your horse tries to use it as a scratching post.

2. Keep That Water Flowing

Frozen troughs are a pain, and not just for you — horses won’t drink enough if it’s ice-cold or frozen solid. Heated troughs are great, but if you’re old-school like me, rotate buckets every few hours and keep 'em in a wind-blocked corner.

“If your bucket cracks in the cold, it wasn’t built for real ranch work.” — Kenneth Fomby

3. Don’t Forget the People

Layers, y’all. Get some wool socks and gloves that still let you text when you're checking foal cams at 2 a.m. No one needs frostbite just to refill a feeder.

4. Keep Moving

It’s tempting to hunker down in the warm tack room, but horses need movement — and so do you. Turnout if it’s safe, hand-walk if you have to. Stiff horses get sore fast, and so do stiff cowboys.