Does anyone give their horse the Winter off work?

[Achinghips]

Been thinking of doing this due to a family member's terminal illness. How easy is it? Are they able to start back where you left off, after a suitable period of fitness building? Pros and cons, anyone?

 

[JillA]

I have done several times (it seems every time I do a second clip something happens - snow, broken wrist etc etc.) although this time I need to keep him ticking over for a couple of reasons. No problem getting him back into work, just remember to harden off his girth before you go doing a 4 hour endurance ride!! Hunters always used to have the summer off and sjhow jumpers the winter, it can bring lots of benefits apart from you not getting wet and cold. Take shoes off, give his feet a break too.

 

[Spring Feather]

Yes most of my horses have the winter off. I only keep a handful of horses ticking over during the winter. Mine live in big fields, most of my fields have hills in them so the horses are still kept reasonably fit bombing up and down the hills daily. I take it easy with them when I first bring them back into work in the spring but they're usually up to speed fairly quickly.

 

[patch1234]

My big dressage horses have winter off for various reasons including I dont do cold weather lol.

I do not remove shoes as it does not suit either of them, i have tried it unsuccessfully.

I find a basic fittening regime starting in late spring soon gets them ready again as they are alrady very well schooled and aged between 12 and 18 so not knew to the job.

My young eventer is having this winter off but that was not the original plan but I feel at this point he needs to chill out.


Ive never had a problem bringing horses back into work but it does depend on the horse. Just be careful when you start riding again that they dont play up.

 

[Grinchmass]

Ive never had a problem bringing horses back into work but it does depend on the horse. Just be careful when you start riding again that they dont play up.

This. Last year my friends two had the winter off through illness. Her usually well mannered gelding, who is rather bone idle, thought it would be great fun on a gentle hack to turn and bolt across the field flat out. He only stopped when he realised he was about to run into a hedge... So much for taking it easy

Her spirited mare on the other hand was fine...

He was back to normal after that tho

 

[Zimzim]

I wintered my mare off last year, and she was alot better for it, plus it meant I could spend time with my youngster. Both of them will be having a few weeks off this winter, maybe longer if they require it, my youngster will most likely be kept in some sort of work as he easily gets bored not doing anything!

 

[Annagain]

This is just a suggestion - and I appreciate that being in your situation is a very personal thing that everybody reacts differently to, so apologies if you've already considered this.

While it wouldn't be a problem and I understand your reasons for wanting to do it, you might find that just doing less will still provide you with a bit of an escape from what sounds like will be a horrible situation? Horses are very good therapy and even if it's just a 30 minute hack once a week it might help you to be in a better position to help your family member?

Having a very good friend go through a similar situation (she's not horsey) her instinct was to drop everything but she admitted afterwards that maybe being a little more selfish from time to time would have made her more patient / empathetic etc at home by giving her the chance to recharge her batteries.

As long as you don't go galloping everywhere, and you build it back up properly in the spring a little pootle every so often won't hurt your horse but might do you a hell of a lot of good?

 

[eriskaydales]

When i was younger, never seemed to notice the winter weather, but now after 43 years of having my own horses, came to the conclusion that i've earned the right to have the winter off. Usually tail off round end oct and pick up around end of feb. Mine live out and are unrugged, resemble yetis at the moment. I do lunge though several times a week. What with dark nights, work, and muddy hairy monsters, plus having to keep the field clear of poo, just run out of time.

Also the fact that competitions run all year, does put added pressure. Don't beat yourself up about not riding,
just do what suits you, just being down the yard without the riding is still chill out time for me.