Getting ready for winter

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angrybird1

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As horrible as it is the nights are drawing in and weather not great at the moment.
Thinking of getting ready for winter.
Will be ordering hay and bedding. Getting a couple of new rugs.
What other preparations do people make?
 
ugh I don't really want to think about it but I have been!
I've checked I've got all the kit I need to keep me warm and dry and repaired/replaced as necessary. Rugs are all good to go. Winter fields are looking good, repaired fencing, new wheelbarrow. Sorted out winter rota with fellow livery who I share field with for poo picking and turn out/bring in. Clippers serviced. Car serviced. Time off in January booked to get away from the mud and horse care regime/responsibility. Think I'm just about there!! There always a few bits that I need to do once they start coming in over night but that (hopefully) will not be until mid November. Depressing isn't it ��
 
I kinda like winter, or at least the idea of it!
I like having the horses in and getting them done early. I like bedding up and making big feeds. I love rugs (!!)
I like the fact my horses weight is easier to control, in particular not having to worry so much about the tiny ponies.
The only thing I don't like is mud and the complete lack of grass

I will pressure wash my stables out, get my clippers serviced/blades done.
I sometimes buy in a supply of supplements while I have the spare money as winters expensive!
Check and repair any winter field fencing.
I have straw and hay In ready for retired boy and ponies but need to get bedding for others.
It's fun ;)
 
One thing I do need to get is tyres for my big barrow which only gets used in winter as we weirdly had a spontaneous muck heap fire and some idiot (daughter) left the barrow on the muckheap.... as you do
 
Not ready for it yet... but everyone is in winter routine as of yesterday.
Heard it here first... I have a feeling it will be a bad one. I expect flooding and some bad storms.
 
Ordered some new waterproof boots, and am starting to draw my sleep/work schedule back to accommodate early work starts, which means early work finishes and a chance to see the horses in daylight come winter!
 
Most things are done bar buying another 100gm and one 200gm liner for the boys Rhinos. Bailey is clipped and lives out all winter and I'm hoping DP won't be in until at least December depending on the weather.

I too am looking forward to winter, the gates have hardcore down, all the fences are new, the grass is still growing and we have plenty on the winter field. 500 bales of hay have been ordered with the first 100 due in soon as are two pallets of wood pellets those living in. For the very first time we are in an indoor barn which is lovely and it's a joy having rugs and headcollars hanging outside the stable.
 
All my stables have been pressure washed, then repainted. Fencing checked, and painted. Haylage made, baled and now ready to use for the winter. Rugs are all washed. Just ordering a new feed bin, and going to have a go at making my own horse solarium. So pretty much ready
 
I need to pressure wash and re-paint stable. Every weekend between now and middle of Oct is taken up though so god knows when I'm going to manage it. I also need to order a pallet of wood pellets.
 
hay and bedding is in, looking forward to ditching the fly rug with one and they'll both be out naked-no more stinky, wet rugs for me and I have tons of grass. The only thing I have to do is bed down the byre.
 
Need to order a pair of waterproof trousers as seem to have mislaid mine.

Check battery in head torch

Apart from that nothing more at the moment
 
I've just bought my winter feed.
Ponies stay out so stables are already ready (although need mucking out after them have a duvet day today).
Clippers are in car ready for when I have time and inclination to get the mud monster clipped.
 
Just in the process of getting a hardcore drive done to yard (which sits in the middle of my fields - it makes more sense than it sounds) and some gateways done too (main winter field gateway was a nightmare last year) so we can actually function this winter (I plan to get out and about with new horse). Bedding in storage and starting to power wash and deep bed the stables. Will buy more hay soon but plenty around usually through winter - at the minute we still have lots of grass. Rugs going this week to be re-proofed etc.

If we have sufficient pennies left once drive done we will get lighting done for the school - I literally will have no excuses not to ride through winter!!
 
All ready here except for washing stables out after the swallows have been nesting in them. I love them but they make a lot of mess.
 
If anyone is thinking of ordering white horse wood pellets for the first time I've got a discount code for 5% off just pm me if you would like it.
 
scats said:
I don't mind winter, when it's actually winter! But September is normally quite nice so I feel a bit like it's come far too early.

Not got much to do really, but mine won't come in til October- end of, preferably.
Click to expand...

My thoughts too :( we usually turn around last weekend in October but already considering it. We've got 3 events left and she's already dropping the summer tummy, so may have to reconsider and bring her in.

I don't have much winter prep to do, Rugs are washed and shes on livery so don't need to stock up on hay/ bedding just need to put a big bed down when we turn around.
 
I dont really do anything different. Mine get big round bales of hay all year round, I dont need to order it as I have a permanent supplier who brings it up two at a time as I need it. Ive already got a million rugs, I generally get them fixed as they need it. Otherwise, all I'll do is move the electric fencing so they have a "trash" paddock and a bigger one saved for better days. Began tidying the field yesterday, clearing away show jumps etc. And make sure my new hose reaches the water buckets as my stable tap often freezes in the winter (my horses field is beside my back garden so I just run the hose from my tap in our shed). I'm expecting a baby early December so minimum effort the better is what I want this winter.
 
I've just started fitting remote control solar powered floodlights in the fields so I have some light bringing in/taking out.
My 'winter weekend' fields used between November and April need to be readied - mainly electric fencing put in to keep the boys separated (otherwise rugs gets trashed!).
My spare field which has rested all summer will be opened up soon for one horse (and the fatty will get the grazed down field which has been in use since May.).These fields will be used during the winter weeks until February.
My February - April 'week' fields have been rested and are full of grass but will need electric fences put in to keep the horses out of the boggy areas - but I won't bother with this until February.
Still need to order haylage and bedding.
Rugs still need waterproofed and repaired but I'll start that this weekend.
Clippers in to be serviced.
Timber stables have been painted.
Car and trailer will be serviced end of Sept.
Have bought new waterproof/mud proof/chill proof boots and headlights.
Also have invested in new hi viz gear - as I now plan to hack out a lot!
 
I decluttered my stable cupboards today and sorted through all of my rugs to see what I have and what needs repairing and washing etc for the colder months. I've been looking at new rugs that I need as well. Definitely need to order a couple of heavy weights and fleeces for overnight!
 
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