are you all working your horses?

SW- i'm off too over xmas and driving me mad that again (like last year) haven't been able to ride :mad: then i'll be back in work in Jan (my busiest time of year probably) and i'll have to ride at 8pm every day to get him fit for eventing! argh :mad:

firewell- oh i feel sorry for you. V fortunately doesn't care...he quite likes doing nothing so is being quite well behaved. we can't even do in-hand work in our school coz its been padlocked shut :( most i could manage is a walk down the lane in hand- whats the point?!

bloody weather...am thinking of emigrating somewhere very very hot :p
 
Havent riddensince 27th Nov at a dressage comp. The snow came the day after its very depressing. Everywhere is frozen solid. Have been putting him out almost everyday tho (with eyes closed and praying no giddyness!) He was fairly fit too, for a fat lad anyway! So all the diet and hardwork has gone to pot. Roll on some warmer weather its getting boring now!
 
No I have ridden a couple of times in the last month as arena totally frozen and roads are sheet ice, off work for Xmas but can't ride such a waste!

I think the thaw has started, we didn't freeze last night and forecast is staying above freezing day and night for next five days, hoping to ride tomorrow. We still have turnout thankfully but the boys are getting a bit boisterous now and in need of some work :rolleyes:
 
SamuelWhiskers said:
No chance for me, haven't ridden now for over 4 weeks! Nor has anyone else in my area, the lanes we hack on are compact snow / ice and like many, no point till I can ride consistently, just really hope it's not too much longer now! I have all of Christmas off work and would love to be spending it riding... Needless to say I'm bored with it now, at least they can be turned out .....
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Ditto - its really starting to grate on me now; this we have done 4 times in 5 weeks
 
I've been very luckly as I've been able to ride every day around the fields. Anything to keep him ticking over otherwise he becomes a pain to handle due to bored!! Theres only a couple of us riding out of the whole yard of 30+ horses!!
 
I haven't ridden my mare consistently in about 2 weeks now, one of the last times I rode her was in one of my flat-work lesson and she was so fresh she had me off twice with her bucking antics! The snow is finally thawing today so hopefully I'll be able to pick things back up again soon enough. Luckily our snow didn't freeze or become too icy so I have been able to turn her out most days which has been a life-saver.
 
Nope.

Have made a conscious decision not to for a number of reasons:
- dangerous to do so. Sheet ice and hard maneges now the snow covering is disappearing.
- inconsistent work makes him difficult - he thrives off a routine and I just can't give it him right now.
- he can be lively, and I am not willing to be catapulted and hurt my already dodgy back, which would equal more time off for the both of us!
- picking him up and putting him down with his work due to the weather is probably worse than accepting defeat and picking him up again when the weather starts to behave again.
- he can have a rest before a busy season
- so I stop beating myself up about not working him, lol!!!

The more I speak to people, the more I realise that lots of us feel guilty. But as long as they get a leg stretch and some turnout, there really isn't any reason to do so.

However, I have quite a few friends who are stressing big style because they are due to compete in the BD Winter Regionals in early January, so need to keep their horses in work, but for me, there is nothing I 'need' to keep him tuned up for.
 
I'm very fortunate to have an indoor arena, and indoor stable yard, so I have ridden every day, barring her occasional days off. Also have a little off road hacking, so have done a bit of that, and fields easily accessible, so she goes out most days too.

Gosh, I'm lucky, but this is my first year in a situation like this. Last year was a private yard with lights, no water in winter, no school, no shelter....
 
I had a five day "window" in the last 5 weeks when I managed to ride each day, but apart from that, roads and driveway sheet ice, and outdoor school frozen solid with snow on the top. Horse being an absolute monster as he's bored, although turned out for 6-8 hours each day with plenty of hay. Really irritating, as I took a days leave each week with the intention of getting an extra days riding, but not to be! It's been above freezing all day today here, and now, joy of joys, it's b...dy well raining!
 
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