Does anyone ride in the snow?

steph91

steph91

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Just a general wondering really.
Do any of you ride in the snow, is it suitable to do so?
I haven't done yet, thinks it seems a bit mean, but they need exercise.
So what is everyone else doing?
 
If i have a decent grassy field then yes, mine are like rock atm tho so not bothering. Went out for a hack yesterday as our road was ok but ended up getting off and leading for about 2.5 miles as we got to the point where the whole road was white and i didn't want to risk him falling.
More snow last night has made our road treacherous today though so not going out today!!
 
If we had thicker snow, or not frozen solid ground then yes. As it is the ground is like stone and only a dusting of snow. The worst combination of weather for getting them out and exercised!
 
I used to go for miles in the snow but not frozen like this. I might go out later but only on roads around the farm. We've got hoofboots which help with snowballs in hooves and provide some good grip. I hate going anywhere hilly though just in case...
 
Only if the roads were clear, as it is not fair on motorists to try and avoid you! Our yard is still frozen hard with impacted snow/ice, so all horses are on compulsary box rest until it thaws. I have ridden in the snow years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it....but had horses on stilts by the time I got back...I think I am older and wiser now....reckless youth days gone!
 
What do you think they do in counties that have snow alot of the year?
Some snow isn't suitable to ride on- rutted frozen ground underneath etc. But we have a good arena that doesn;t freeze as and decent flat field to ride on :) Personally wouldn't go on the roads if it was atall frozen but other might have better gritting near them. So yes, have ridden in the snow, and it can be suitable. :)
 
rara007 said:
What do you think they do in counties that have snow alot of the year?
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We have snow grips put into the shoes to stop the snow balling up, i personally would not ride in snow without them. Yes a flat even field is great when you have a good covering of snow, even when it is frozen underneath but as soon as it compacts it is slippery as hell and IMO dangerous!

In fact just come back from schooling one of mine in 5 inches of snow!! :D
 
I can't right now cause the ground is absolutely rock hard! I wouldn't risk riding on icy/snow covered roads, I find a lot of motorists panic when approaching a horse anyway, let alone on an already dangerous road
 
I've only been riding in the Indoor school since we got snow. The roads have been gritted and are quite clear but the driveway to the yard is very slippy and it isn't worth the risk. I'm not too bothered at the moment though, just giving them a bit of schooling every other day to keep them ticking over as they are being turned out everyday anyway at the moment. :)

However, in February I hunted in it! There was no snow at the meet but as we headed onto higher ground, there was still some snow left over in the fields. It was good fun and didn't really affect the horses. Had to try and avoid flying snow balls though as it flicked up out of their feet! ;)
 
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Would ride but only if there is alot of deep snow, at the moment all we have is compacted skiddy icy rubbish and steep fields and a grumpy pony.

Also I always used to find that if you rub a load of vasaline into their feet and around the shoes it should stop the snow balling up, but would stick a hoof pick in your pocket for emergencies.
 
Yes have ridden in deep fluffy snow it was in a lovely big field and wasn't too cold. Always put an exercise sheet on so she doesn't get too cold never ride when it freezes as not safe espec when I don't have studs etc in.
 
Earlier this year we still exercised the pointers. The field was grassy, the riders knew the ground well...however the snow was thicker than it is here now. Trotting/cantering about helps stops the snow from balling up as it just flicks out.

At the moment the snow is only a very thin dusting, and the ground is icy/frozen solid underneath. At the moment I am riding on the roads so long as they are clear of ice.
 
I wasn't planning on hacking in this weather, just a bit of schooling. I'm down in norfolk and the snow is pretty heavy, and frozen on top right now, so i think i'll give it a miss till the snow softens a bit more. She's getting turned out for a few hours, and is in a turn out yard rather than stable.
May try giving her a lunge first just to see how she likes being worked in the snow.
Cheers for all the advice :)
 
Apparently it is a matter if physics, the metal shoes are cold which does not melt the snow, barefoot horses or those with rubber "grips" in dont ball up as the foot, or the rubber, is warmer!
 
I went for a short ride yesterday as I knew I could ride on grass and farm tracks. Def would not have attempted the road as it was like an ice rink! The snow did ball up in his feet but every so often it fell out. I walked most of the way and had a short canter along a stretch of grass that had barely any snow on it because it was shielded by a tall hedge. Manni seemed to enjoy it.
 
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