09/04/2026
Things I've learned living in Texas for 1 summer 😆
It's only been 4 months since we arrived in Marlin Texas!
⭐️Chiggers are real! Yes, the infamous chigger bugs are real. They are gnat larvae that live in tall grasses and jump on you when you pass, and we humans are allergic to their bite (itchy!!!!). To prevent, cut your grass! Always wear long pants and tall boots! And you can dust your socks/clothes with diatomaceous earth, it works.
⭐️Summers are still hot. I will not lie! It was dang hot for about 6 weeks: from mid-July through end of August. Since our perspective is Phoenix, Arizona, and we lived through the 122's and weeks of teen temps in AZ, so here in Texas is really just fine. It's hot, but everyone freaks out when it hits 100 degrees! Yes, it is more humid even in the bone dry season of August, but not that different from AZ monsoon season which was also humid. We found it much more livable here in TX, and the horses clearly told me they were more comfortable here. Someone from the north might freak out about TX summers, but to us, no big deal. And so much shorter!
⭐️Feeding horses in Texas is unlike anywhere else. The hay is not that great, and unimproved pasture grass, like our rough grass, is not very nutritious. I have had to feed more than twice as much hard feed here than I did in Arizona, just to prevent weight loss. I tried many things, but what is working is Triple Crown Lite (their old feed) mixed with Triple Crown Diamond Senior (heavy for the thinner ones), Mad Barn Omneity, rice bran pellets, and alfalfa pellets (to replace the alfalfa hay I can't even get here). Simply MORE CALORIES needed, and lots of feed.
⭐️The weather is even less predictable. We were used to that in AZ, but this takes it to a whole 'nother level. The weather changes hour to hour. No one knows if it will rain or not! Drastic changes quickly. Luckily, we enjoy change!
⭐️Every road is a highway. Literally. I imagined country living on a sleepy lane... nope. Big semis pass in front of the "farm to market road" that we live on, and the speed limit is 60 mph. Which is slow, because further out, it is 70 🤣 Life in the fast lane!
