Bad weather incoming…ideas for exercise?

[Traks]

Just thought I’d start a thread for ideas to keep horses exercised/active in bad weather…

We are due another dump of snow at the weekend and icy conditions for the next week. Our arena usually freezes when it’s a few degrees below zero, YO does harrow it but it’s still quite hard so I’m not comfortable riding on it in more than walk, maybe a bit of trot if it’s not too firm.

Hacking routes at the moment are poor, there is one which is quite boggy so we have options but would prefer to only do it once or so a week to protect legs (and shoes!)

Boxing up is possibly an option but my daughter is back at school next week so probably unrealistic…

What can we do to keep ponies exercised and or active?

We have a horsewalker which is useful this time of year as our turnout is limited (I know, not ideal but we have zero other options for what we need re facilities). So planning horsewalker, groundwork, in hand pole work etc… love to hear all your ideas!

 

[canteron]

I’m going to do an on-line horse massage ‘course’. Not exercise but a productive use of time when everything else is cancelled, and may even be useful!

 

[humblepie]

Mine can’t go out on frosty grass so makes it difficult. Much prefer the rain and wind. If not too frosty I’ll walk him
in hand hacking and our arena is like yours so similar pole work lateral work etc. I’ll groom a lot and massage pad. Other than that it’s a right pain.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

We have 2 horses, 16h1 & 16h3. Our livery yard is in the countryside so our roads tend to be narrow & they are never gritted. Our arena can freeze but weather has to be really bad for that to happen. One horse can hack, work in the school do any thing but other can only be hacked out due to an injury he had a while ago. During the winter & bad weather you stable them, groom them, put the massage pad on them & see they have enough hay. It's all part of horse ownership, sometimes it's ok to ride & other times it isn't so they stay in. It's all part of the game.
Riding in snow isn't any good because the snow just balls up under their feet & can cause foot problems. It seems that with shows on the horse this happens a lot. Possibly if your horse isn't shod it may not ball up?

 

[scats]

I’m fortunate that even when our arena is frozen, we have an onsite farm ride so can always get them out for a hack. I went out this morning for a frosty early ride and it was gorgeous.

That said, I made peace long ago with the fact that winter is hit and miss. There’s no point killing yourself or feeling constant pressure to keep horses working during the depths of winter. You can only do your best.
So if mine end up having a few days or even a week of no work due to the weather, so be it. I rarely keep them in, but on the occasions I do (usually in very stormy weather), I don’t panic if they spend a day or even two stuck in their stables. They never seem to mind at all.

I think as long as they are getting at least a few hours turnout, most horses cope at this time of year with a leg stretch/walk, even if just round the yard.

 

[maya2008]

This winter for the first time I no longer have horses who will become ill if I don’t exercise them - so if the world freezes solid for a few weeks, I plan to have some time off. Won’t do any of us any harm.

For your question, they don’t start to lose fitness for a month or so. For enrichment, I would walk in-hand if you can, or clicker train or pole work.

 

[Barlow]

When our arena freezes I tend to do in hand pole work or just flatwork in hand, just the basics of hindquarters around / shoulders around hindquarters with some leg yield and half pass. Mine is fully clipped and when it’s really cold I don’t take off rugs to do this. I wasn’t planning on riding today but did so as I suspect by the weekend when the temperature is really meant to drop I will be unable to ride. If the arena is under snow I don’t work my horse as I don’t want to run the risk of snow balling up (shod not barefoot) probably overly cautious but horse is not known for awareness of what each foot is doing at any one time!!
@canteron I like the sound of the online course - do you have a link you are able to share?

 

[daydreamer]

Last year i bought this online subscription which gives 77 exercises to do no matter the weather. Some of them are just short things, there is a bit of a variety. Last year I clicker trained picking up a dog toy, this year I did targeting a yellow or blue target when I name the colour, I also tried sideways towards me the other day and realised he can already do that. I need to do more actually, I'd forgotten I had it until the other day!

Other than that I would long-line in the school including over poles etc - you could look at Jec Ballou's 55 corrective exercises for horses book or I think she has a new one.

 

[canteron]

Barlow - I’m doing the one on dressage tv, just because I currently have a subscription - but there is some free stuff on the Masterson method website and I think a few others do something.
My thinking is I probably won’t do any harm and might do some good and learn something!

 

[Traks]

Last year i bought this online subscription which gives 77 exercises to do no matter the weather. Some of them are just short things, there is a bit of a variety. Last year I clicker trained picking up a dog toy, this year I did targeting a yellow or blue target when I name the colour, I also tried sideways towards me the other day and realised he can already do that. I need to do more actually, I'd forgotten I had it until the other day!

Other than that I would long-line in the school including over poles etc - you could look at Jec Ballou's 55 corrective exercises for horses book or I think she has a new one.

Oh this sounds fab! My daughter would love to teach her pony to do some of these! Thank you!

 

[Rokele55]

We used to use the outdoor school to do liberty (?) Training. All the geldings out in one lot and mares in the next. It was remarkable how quickly we could teach a piroutte in unison or a rein change in canter. Trouble was, the old boys got bored and spent their nights planning sabotage and would wait until you weren't looking and cause mayhem with unscheduled movements. If the snow was of the 'right' type and deep enough we were happy to gallop the pointers.

 

[Traks]

Not sure if you are into Thoroughbreds or not but All Aboard the Racehorse is a fab series by Louise Robson of Thoroughbred Dressage. It’s on Apple Podcasts.

I’ve recently subscribed to AskAnimalWeb which is great and there are lots of podcasts on there as well as some really great webinars, I’ve learned loads! And a private facebook group for members…

Podcasts Archives - AskAnimalweb

askanimalweb.com

If you like murder/crime then there is a good one about the death of Katie Simpson who was a Showjumper in Ireland, it’s on BBC sounds and called Assume Nothing: Murder at the Stables

I also love crime podcasts so can send a long list if required!

 

[SEL]

I get stuck into in hand work when I don't think it's safe to ride. Poles can be done in walk but I'm also stuck into an online course with Annie Dillon which I'm finding interesting.

 

[spotty_pony2]

Not sure if you are into Thoroughbreds or not but All Aboard the Racehorse is a fab series by Louise Robson of Thoroughbred Dressage. It’s on Apple Podcasts.

I’ve recently subscribed to AskAnimalWeb which is great and there are lots of podcasts on there as well as some really great webinars, I’ve learned loads! And a private facebook group for members…

Podcasts Archives - AskAnimalweb

askanimalweb.com

If you like murder/crime then there is a good one about the death of Katie Simpson who was a Showjumper in Ireland, it’s on BBC sounds and called Assume Nothing: Murder at the Stables

I also love crime podcasts so can send a long list if required!

I think this might be meant to be on my podcast thread lol! thanks for the ideas though

 

[Traks]

Not sure if you are into Thoroughbreds or not but All Aboard the Racehorse is a fab series by Louise Robson of Thoroughbred Dressage. It’s on Apple Podcasts.

I’ve recently subscribed to AskAnimalWeb which is great and there are lots of podcasts on there as well as some really great webinars, I’ve learned loads! And a private facebook group for members…

Podcasts Archives - AskAnimalweb

askanimalweb.com

If you like murder/crime then there is a good one about the death of Katie Simpson who was a Showjumper in Ireland, it’s on BBC sounds and called Assume Nothing: Murder at the Stables

I also love crime podcasts so can send a long list if required!

Ah wrong thread! please ignore!

 

[Traks]

I think this might be meant to be on my podcast thread lol! thanks for the ideas though

Yes it was!

 

[gallopingby]

Fifty years ago we mostly didnt have indoor schools or arenas and the only way to keep horses fit was to grease up the hooves and trundle round in a walk or alternatively not panic and wait for the thaw as long as there was the option of a little turnout or walk out in hand. A good ‘proper’ groom will enable you to spend an hour or so with your horses.

 

[Exasperated]

We have 2 horses, 16h1 & 16h3. Our livery yard is in the countryside so our roads tend to be narrow & they are never gritted. Our arena can freeze but weather has to be really bad for that to happen. One horse can hack, work in the school do any thing but other can only be hacked out due to an injury he had a while ago. During the winter & bad weather you stable them, groom them, put the massage pad on them & see they have enough hay. It's all part of horse ownership, sometimes it's ok to ride & other times it isn't so they stay in. It's all part of the game.
Riding in snow isn't any good because the snow just balls up under their feet & can cause foot problems. It seems that with shows on the horse this happens a lot. Possibly if your horse isn't shod it may not ball up?

Snow doesn’t ball up the same if barefoot, but in deep snow, shod-hooves tend to ball up and keep knocking out anyway - particularly if cantering along, doesn’t seem to matter to them, altho sometimes feels like stilts when just walking.
If it’s frosty/icy, barefoot horses slip badly on surfaces, and are safer wearing hoof boots fitted with ice studs.
Hacking these days, your biggest worry is vehicle drivers who don’t appreciate the conditions!

 

[spotty_pony2]

My boy used to be fabulous in the snow to ride but since he’s had pads it sticks like crazy! I might try greasing the pads and see if that helps as he would be more than happy to still go out and be ridden if he can actually walk without stilts!

 

[SpotsandBays]

I’m going to do an on-line horse massage ‘course’. Not exercise but a productive use of time when everything else is cancelled, and may even be useful!

Sorry to jump on this, but interested in the course! Would you mind telling me which one you’re doing?

 

[Hallo2012]

mine will go out as usual, i will do walk work in hand and ridden and will box up to indoor if roads ok.

its normally only 2/3 days.

 

[Barklands]

We long rein round the arena in walk, ours learn to leg yield, travers, flexion etc. on the long lines so a good opportunity to practice this when everything is frozen. Raised walk poles either under saddle or on the ground is another go to.