Can`t get away from it ... its creeping in :(

[DJ]

Well, there is no denying winter is starting to creep in .... it was dark here by just gone 8pm this evening, even though it`s been a beautiful day and is still muggy, it`s certainly heading towards darker evenings.


So, any handy tips for prep for winter?

For me it`s a decent head torch, good wellies, and a proper wind proof/water proof coat.

For the horses it`s pig oil and sulpher, plenty of hay, and making sure the field shelters are warm and dry.


I have some rubber matting to go down in the field shelter this year, and some slabs and matting for the entrances. Hubs is laying some paving slabs for me for a tie up area too, somewhere to get the worst of the mud off them when needed for feet trimming, grooming etc, and we`ve dug out a couple of channels to help the field drain a bit better. I also have a graveled area near the tap to keep mud at bay. Hoping this winter will be a bit easier than last year ... well i can live in hope.

So what are your must haves?

 

[kerrieberry2]

sounds like you're nice and prepared

I've been buying a bale or 2 of shaving each time I pop to Robinsons or Scats, so I have a nice few stored in the tack room now! my young horse has out grown last years rugs, so each month I am buying a new rug, so he has enough, just to the heavy to buy now, but waiting a while, in case he gets any bigger by the time he needs its!

New light purchased to put up on the stable block to light the way from the field when I bring them in!

The farmer cuts hay and straw so I have plenty of that on tape, but have been saving money each month to pay for it when I start using it!

on pay day this month im going to get in a couple of bags of feed, ready for when they need to start eating!

have bought myself 2 new winter jackets, both in the sales, reduced from £50 each to under £25 each! have also go some waterproof trousers and skiing trousers! my wellies are 10/11 yrs old but still as good as new, so no need to replace them!

think that's me for now! sure I still need a few more things to get me ready!!

 

[Molasses]

For me it`s a decent head torch, good wellies, and a proper wind proof/water proof coat.

For the horses it`s pig oil and sulpher, plenty of hay, and making sure the field shelters are warm and dry.

Mine look pretty much word for word like yours
I'll add good gloves, lots of warm hats and neoprene chaps to keep the rest of me warm
Keratex hoof gel for nags to stop soggy feet and a hope and a pray for a short dry winter!

 

[Hoof_Prints]

The dark evenings are a horrible reminder! But I've just bought 3 new heavyweight rugs that cost me a fortune, so I'm looking forward to wrapping the horses up in them

 

[WelshD]

I dont know its just me but the evenings seem to be drawing in faster this year!

I got my hay in a couple of months back, and all feed is now in and stored. Rugs bought in the Derby House 2 for £25 deal and bedding being collected tomorrow

Just when i thought i had it sorted someone has just offered me another pony.......

 

[RainbowDash]

The old fella is on basic full livery so I have no fields to maintain, feed to buy etc. But I've washed his fleeces and spare saddle cloths, turnout rugs gone off for wash and proof. My winter jackets will go into year three no problem - just need some good winter riding boots and I'm sorted .

Autumn seems to be creeping in earlier than last year - we already have trees shedding leaves, swallows feeding like crazy ready to go, Robin's visiting the yard but the yard mallards have produced a new brood, temps are same as 2006 so maybe it's going to be a mild one this year?

 

[JustMeThen]

Today was so beautiful and cycled back from the yard at 8.15pm in only a vest top (and breeches ) - but I think that's the last time I'll be able to do that this year
You sound really organised Daisy, I'd only add checking all the rugs and making sure they're sound/waterproof etc..

 

[JustMeThen]

The old fella is on basic full livery so I have no fields to maintain, feed to buy etc. But I've washed his fleeces and spare saddle cloths, turnout rugs gone off for wash and proof. My winter jackets will go into year three no problem - just need some good winter riding boots and I'm sorted .

Ariat Bromont insulated long boots - my best buy ever!

 

[RainbowDash]

The old fella is on basic full livery so I have no fields to maintain, feed to buy etc. But I've washed his fleeces and spare saddle cloths, turnout rugs gone off for wash and proof. My winter jackets will go into year three no problem - just need some good winter riding boots and I'm sorted .

Ariat Bromont insulated long boots - my best buy ever!

Fab!! Thank you ... {toddles off to Google Ariat Bromont boots}

 

[RainbowDash]

Apologises OP for brief Hi-jack

 

[Enfys]

Aha! Therein lies your problem, all in the mind We have 3 months of Autumn first, not 6 months of winter. Put like that, officially winter only lasts 90 days, so really not so bad. I am very good at conning myself

 

[Tobiano]

Brilliant! I will be able to enjoy hacking without worrying about getting sunburn, heat stroke, heat rash or my horse coming up in wind galls. . Can wear my musto snugs again hooray (tbf have only been out of them a couple of weeks...) .... Bliss

 

[JustMeThen]

Keep an eye on eBay; they're usually about £270 but got mine on there new for £180 and they're smart enough for shows too

 

[cambrica]

Aha! Therein lies your problem, all in the mind We have 3 months of Autumn first, not 6 months of winter. Put like that, officially winter only lasts 90 days, so really not so bad. I am very good at conning myself

Ha! Like you, I am ever the optimist . Its time for a mild winter like a few years back where I was cutting grass into December in a t-shirt (that was following a hot summer) .
After the last couple of years of trying to work outdoors I'm bloody well owed a good one :lol:

 

[Lambkins]

Yep in my head .. Sept oct nov autumn .. Dec jan feb winter .. March April may spring .. Some how it doesn't seem so bad thinking winter is only 12 weeks of the year :/ I'm all set for the winter .. Now I'm at a yard with an indoor school and my own little turnout pen ( 12x12 gated concrete pen) he will be on turnout 9-1 .. In to ride .. Then in his stable /pen ... Stable door opens into his pen till 5 ish.. Then in for the night ..Perfect .. Just want to get a hot horsey shower ..and I will be like a pig in plop plop

 

[Frosty89]

Sounds like you're nice and prepared. The mornings and evenings are already drawing in

I've already got a pallet of wood pellets sat in my garage. And I purchased some new ski gear in the summer sales so my old ski gear will now be demoted to yard gear

Other than that I'm on part-livery so I have morning turn out and I finish work at 3pm when it's still light so I'm very lucky.

 

[Joyous70]

Aha! Therein lies your problem, all in the mind We have 3 months of Autumn first, not 6 months of winter. Put like that, officially winter only lasts 90 days, so really not so bad. I am very good at conning myself

^^^^ This, it is only autumn that is on its way at the moment, and my favourite time of year, its very pretty and colourful and can be very warm too.

I am in no way organised or ready for winter yet, my youngster im hoping will fit into my late boys rugs (fingers crossed) if not, then my flexible friend (credit card) will have to help buy her some new ones at HOYS or YHL this year!

I have around 30 bales of hay at the moment and a small amount of straw, but we have deliveries on a regular basis, so shall just top up the hay and buy a large bale of straw.

 

[DJ]

sounds like you're nice and prepared

I've been buying a bale or 2 of shaving each time I pop to Robinsons or Scats, so I have a nice few stored in the tack room now! my young horse has out grown last years rugs, so each month I am buying a new rug, so he has enough, just to the heavy to buy now, but waiting a while, in case he gets any bigger by the time he needs its!

New light purchased to put up on the stable block to light the way from the field when I bring them in!

The farmer cuts hay and straw so I have plenty of that on tape, but have been saving money each month to pay for it when I start using it!

on pay day this month im going to get in a couple of bags of feed, ready for when they need to start eating!

have bought myself 2 new winter jackets, both in the sales, reduced from £50 each to under £25 each! have also go some waterproof trousers and skiing trousers! my wellies are 10/11 yrs old but still as good as new, so no need to replace them!

think that's me for now! sure I still need a few more things to get me ready!!

You sound prepared too lol .... Love your jacket bargains ... You just reminded me i need to get a couple of lights too, for the haybarn and the shed.

Mine look pretty much word for word like yours
I'll add good gloves, lots of warm hats and neoprene chaps to keep the rest of me warm
Keratex hoof gel for nags to stop soggy feet and a hope and a pray for a short dry winter!

Oh yeah, hats and gloves, i have a million pairs kicking around the house to shall dig a few out.

The dark evenings are a horrible reminder! But I've just bought 3 new heavyweight rugs that cost me a fortune, so I'm looking forward to wrapping the horses up in them

ROFL, it is a feel good moment though isn`t it, in the freezing cold to see them snuggled up isn`t it. Though i`m a meany, mine don`t get rugged lol (they don`t need it ... very VERY good doers, lots of natural shelter, and 2 field shelters which they regularly use

I dont know its just me but the evenings seem to be drawing in faster this year!

I got my hay in a couple of months back, and all feed is now in and stored. Rugs bought in the Derby House 2 for £25 deal and bedding being collected tomorrow

Just when i thought i had it sorted someone has just offered me another pony.......

They are drawing in quick, it`s not just you, I said the same thing to hubs last night, it seems have just crept up and *bam*, 8pm was dark here last night.

Another pony you say? ... hhhmmmmmmm ponies don`t need much, it`ll just slot straight in (can you tell i can`t say no to new additions either lol)

The old fella is on basic full livery so I have no fields to maintain, feed to buy etc. But I've washed his fleeces and spare saddle cloths, turnout rugs gone off for wash and proof. My winter jackets will go into year three no problem - just need some good winter riding boots and I'm sorted .

Autumn seems to be creeping in earlier than last year - we already have trees shedding leaves, swallows feeding like crazy ready to go, Robin's visiting the yard but the yard mallards have produced a new brood, temps are same as 2006 so maybe it's going to be a mild one this year?

Lucky you with the livery

But yes, leaves are falling here and mine are shedding their summer coats at a rate of knots, both have started with their winter beards lol ..... A mild winter would be nice after the last few we`ve had.

Today was so beautiful and cycled back from the yard at 8.15pm in only a vest top (and breeches ) - but I think that's the last time I'll be able to do that this year
You sound really organised Daisy, I'd only add checking all the rugs and making sure they're sound/waterproof etc..

It was lovely and warm wasn`t it. Though it`s black as hells doorknocker here this morning, we are forecast heavy rain. But to be fair we need it, we haven`t had any rain here now it about 6 weeks, and even then it was only a couple of showers. Here`s hoping all your rugs are good, best check sooner rather than later, you may pick up a bargain or 2 if anything needs replacing

Apologises OP for brief Hi-jack

Ha ha ... no probs

Aha! Therein lies your problem, all in the mind We have 3 months of Autumn first, not 6 months of winter. Put like that, officially winter only lasts 90 days, so really not so bad. I am very good at conning myself

ROFL ... I like your style .... for myself though it`s the dark nights that really get me, i`ll be worse once the clocks change again

Brilliant! I will be able to enjoy hacking without worrying about getting sunburn, heat stroke, heat rash or my horse coming up in wind galls. . Can wear my musto snugs again hooray (tbf have only been out of them a couple of weeks...) .... Bliss

Lol ..... have to say, the heat and flies have been a nightmare for riding this year ... I feel there may be a lot of winter riding happening lol.

Sounds like you're nice and prepared. The mornings and evenings are already drawing in

I've already got a pallet of wood pellets sat in my garage. And I purchased some new ski gear in the summer sales so my old ski gear will now be demoted to yard gear

Other than that I'm on part-livery so I have morning turn out and I finish work at 3pm when it's still light so I'm very lucky.

Aww you are lucky, but then i`m lucky as well as mine are on 24/7 turnout and i only work mornings at the moment .... So i do still have the daylight to sort them out.



Last year/winter i had only just moved house, and i`d rented a field, and that was literally all i had. This winter i have a shed (which will have lights), a small haybarn. I`ll have a paved tie up area out of the mud (last year we just had to tie up to a muddy boggy gateway) ... and the field shelters will have paved/rubber matting too. So all in all it should make it a lot easier, i also have the massive nets that fit over a huge round bale, so i only have to roll 1 bale out every 2 weeks or so, that makes life lots easier too .... bring it on winter, i`m ready for ya !!!

 

[Shysmum]

The rain today is horrendous up here (North Yorks). i think it will have an effect on local events for sure. Yet yesterday was sweltering !

No doubt autumn is nearly here - URGH.

Shy will be having a Duvet Day today - his favourite.

 

[DJ]

You`re just up the way from me then Shysmum, we`re South Bank of the Humber .... Its just starting to spit and Spot a bit, but no rain yet to speak of. Still extremely muggy here though, feels like a good downpour may help clear the air a bit, if you know what i mean

 

[Elbie]

Last night was the first time in about 6 months I had to walk back to the field after a lesson in the dark with my headtorch (thank God I remembered to put it in my pocket!). Need to get used to wearing it again. Find it quite disorientating the first few times and keep walking into things/tripping over things!

 

[splashnutti1]

Well today has reminded me winter is on the way, its tipping it down here

I am pretty much set up, was extemely lucky to get 200 bales of this years quaility hay straight of the field for £1 a bale so that was fab ( especially as average price round here is £3-5 a bale) haylage man has 30 bales put aside for me to deliver as and when needed, straw is on order and is 50p a bale again delivered when needed, rugs have been cleaned and reproofed and are stored in tack shed.

Shavings are ordered to be delivered end of this month. Feed i buy when i need as my guys are good doers so dont use a lot.

Super fix it dad came down last weekend, fixed stable doors ,fences, reposted some posts, fixed wheelbarrow, laid paving slabs at gate and is back this weekend to refelt stable roofs

New boots have been brought but old jacket is making a come back lol.

generator has been serviced and head torches purchased for the dark moring turn outs

So pretty much set up! Although sure i will find something i forgot lol.