Winter Blues

The deep freeze. For all Canadians this is an annual occurrence. In temperatures of -20 it’s hard to find any motivation to make it to the barn, let alone tack up and ride. If skiers and snowboarders can brave the cold during the winter months then why can’t us riders. All it takes is a little common sense and preparation. There’s no need to hibernate.

The majority of the riding population migrates south for the winter to Florida. For those of us less fortunate these are some tips and tricks for keeping warm and staying safe during the deep freeze winter months:

1.  Ice can be deadly. If the pathways from the barn to the fields for turnout are slick with no snow cover, it is safer to give the horses a workout in the arena or turn them loose in the arena than to turn them outside. 

2.  Stay warm. Layers are key. Looking like a marshmallow in Canadian winters is considered fashionable. A pair of leggings under riding pants and wool socks will be you lifesaver. Wool is the best insulator – it’s not how thick those socks are but the content.  

3.  Check your horse’s legs. Cold and horses = Wild! Add a little snow and its hours of galloping fun. Accidents happen. It is important to check their legs for any heat and swelling before starting your ride. 

4.  Your horse needs to be warm too. When riding its important to put a fitted quarter sheet made of wool or fleece on your horses back around the saddle. The general rule is: when below zero - throw that sheet on. This will help warm up their muscles and stay warm during the ride. 

5.  Post ride it is important to make sure you don’t let the horse cool down too quickly. They will need only half the time needed after a summer workout to cool down and should return back to the warmth of the barn as soon as possible.

These things to remember are all very practical – what us riders really go through is perfectly explained in this article by horse junkies called the Five Stages of Grief. It’s hilarious but true. 

HB