Has the bad weather given you tips you will be continuing?

[Gingerwitch]

Due to the problems with frozen taps - i used one of my huge hay soaking buckets to keep "spare" water in.

So when the hose is back up and running (everything crossed here) i will fill up a one of these for a day i am in a rush, or if i ever put mine on livery - just to give the yo a hand.

I have also learnt that - excercise, turn out and feeding and water are far more important than dazling white beds with perfect banks.

I have also learnt that my horses wont die if i dont soak there hay everyday and tbh some of the hay i have fed over the last few weeks was beautiful !

I have also learnt that when the chips are down the oh is wonderful and my horses have surprised me - 2 have been perfectly behavied and the one i thought would be perfect - wasnt !

I have learnt not to be scared of the ice, and that the horses are usually (exception being my old mare!) sensible enough to managed to get to and from the field in one piece.

I have learnt that horses held in a death grip, and shouted at to "steady and stand" usually wont as they pick up on the vibes of the owner/handler

I have also learnt that YO's must have the patience of saints, and i have changed my idea about owning a livery yard - as you can never ever please everyone !

I now have enough buckets to walk from here to the continent and will be putting up several feeds each week.

 

[dizzyf]

Not me. Glad to be back to normal (almost)

The snow meant I kept as much of the 'old' water in their buckets as poss so I didnt have to lug too much fresh from the only working tap, other side of the yard.

Didnt wash feed or water buckets out

Horses in more so more bedding and haylage used

Beds left slightly more damp than usual

Didn't ride

Didn't sweep yard

The only positive thing was the lack of mud.

Sorry to sound negative, but I can't think of something good I have learnt- only that I hate snow and ice!!

 

[MrsMozart]

I've learnt that my horses are more sensible and calmer than I give them credit for.

I've learnt that EquiKalm appears to work on the Dizzy one (either that or see above lol).

I've learnt that so long as the bed it clean, it's not desperate if it's not all swept and sorted - so long as Dizz can get in and lie down etc safely then she's not bothered either.

I've learnt that there are far worse things in life than not being able to ride for a few weeks.

I've learnt that it's quite nice spending just time with my horses. They've enjoyed their walks round the school when we could do it, and they've enjoyed the extra rubs and cuddles they were able to have.

I've learn't to count myself lucky when I can get on - just as happened last year, I am no longer the fair weather rider I once was

. So long as it is reasonably safe to do so, I will ride come rain, hail, sleet, etc.

 

[Mabel98]

I too have learnt that horses cope really well in the snow and ice, they can stand up on 4 legs better than i can on 2!

I will never moan about the rain again.....it's so much better than snow/ice!

 

[WeeBrown]

Totally know what you mean about rain - I thought I heard it on the window and felt relief...not my usual dread!

I have probably become a bit more organised - making stuff ready the night before in case horses were staying in due to ice. I now need to keep this up and not drift back into my sloppy ways.

I too have been hording water, not been too picky about beds, not washed out feed buckets and have been surprised by how sensible my mare has been - she's a little star - have also realised how much a one person horse she is..and she loves her mummy!