How many times are you riding in Winter?

[Ali27]

I’ve always ridden 4/5 times a week in Winter but currently struggling to motivate myself to ride on dark evenings. I’ve got a very fit and healthy 20 year old but slowed down on jumping her. I ride 3 times a week, hacking or occasional jump clinic at weekends and a flatwork lesson on Mondays. So three times a week. I’m stressing if this is enough to keep her ticking over until Feb/ March when evenings get lighter as I have no arena. Would appreciate people’s thoughts? Thank you ?

 

[ycbm]

How much turnout does she have?

Are you aiming to do anything particularly heavy in February/ March?

I ride 3 or 4 times a week but I'm not aiming to do much more in the spring, so I've nothing to keep him fitter for, and he is turned out for 8 hours a day.
.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I work from home so can ride during the day.
But if your horse is turned out every day, riding 3 times a week is absolutely fine to keep him ticking over - I wouldn't worry about it

 

[SEL]

Each of my riding ponies is only getting 2-3 times a week because I'm running out of daylight. They're out 24:7 but feeling very fresh this weekend!

 

[nikicb]

How long is she turned out for? If she's out every day for a good portion of the day, and is moving around (ie not stood in one place eating hay), I think 3 times a week is fine to keep her ticking over, although I may be careful with the jump clinic and consider her fitness for what you are asking of her. The flat leasson should be fine, again as long as you don't over do it. 20 isn't old by any means, but it's an age where I'd be more cautious about making sure she's fit for the job. Not that I would hammer a younger horse, but hopefully you know what I mean!

Edited to add..... could you do some in hand work on the days you don't want to ride if you have a dryish corner of the field?

 

[Ali27]

Mine are all still out 24/7 and will be until at least Christmas as still got lots of grass. I have got a schooling area in field with poles etc which is still dry so could do some long reining over poles etc. I have got an arena next door that I can hire but struggling to motivate myself to drag her up road in dark? No big plans for her next year as she needs to slow down so just hacking, schooling and occasional jump clinic. Got a baby ginger who is 3 next May so will be doing lots of groundwork with her as she will be taking over from my beloved old ginger in future years?

 

[SantaVera]

Once a week in November nothing in December begin again January when weather permits but not more than twice a week

 

[nikicb]

Mine are all still out 24/7 and will be until at least Christmas as still got lots of grass. I have got a schooling area in field with poles etc which is still dry so could do some long reining over poles etc. I have got an arena next door that I can hire but struggling to motivate myself to drag her up road in dark? No big plans for her next year as she needs to slow down so just hacking, schooling and occasional jump clinic. Got a baby ginger who is 3 next May so will be doing lots of groundwork with her as she will be taking over from my beloved old ginger in future years?

Sounds like you/she will be absolutely fine then. I keep mine at home and have an arena, but still find it hard to motivate mysef at this time of the year. Roll on Spring!!

 

[Ali27]

Sounds like you/she will be absolutely fine then. I keep mine at home and have an arena, but still find it hard to motivate mysef at this time of the year. Roll on Spring!!

I’ve always been on a livery yard with facilities so never struggled with motivation before! Love having my own land but hating not having an arena ? Got no electricity either so everything is done via headtorch although hopefully getting a solar lighting system soon! Roll on Spring! Then I have to force myself not to ride?

 

[terrierliz]

3 ticking over 3 or 4 times a week, turned out during the day, one a bit arthritic other two will start proper work again in February. I used to feel guilty but they are happy and healthy in this routine

 

[ycbm]

Mine are all still out 24/7 and will be until at least Christmas as still got lots of grass. I have got a schooling area in field with poles etc which is still dry so could do some long reining over poles etc. I have got an arena next door that I can hire but struggling to motivate myself to drag her up road in dark? No big plans for her next year as she needs to slow down so just hacking, schooling and occasional jump clinic. Got a baby ginger who is 3 next May so will be doing lots of groundwork with her as she will be taking over from my beloved old ginger in future years?

No worries then, ride when you feel like it.
.

 

[ycbm]

I’ve always been on a livery yard with facilities so never struggled with motivation before! Love having my own land but hating not having an arena ? Got no electricity either so everything is done via headtorch although hopefully getting a solar lighting system soon! Roll on Spring! Then I have to force myself not to ride?

I'm much more motivated to ride now I'm back in livery, it's really bizarre. I think it's something about needing to plan rather than the horse being always there, so later will do.
.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

After an accident in October it forced my hand & both horse & I recover, but its made me realise that its not the end of the world not trying to kill myself keeping riding all winter.
Not riding at all at the moment, plan now is to pick up long lining & light lunging in Jan, then crack on fitness wise in Feb.
Winters all about survival & I have nothing to prove with no aims until next summer, so why put unnecessary pressure on myself. I must say mine are out 24/7, if they were stabled I'd be doing something.

 

[blitznbobs]

Sweet f a — life is too short and busy

 

[poiuytrewq]

I go against the grain, I much prefer winter to
Summer. I hate riding in the heat and flies. Very happy to ride now though.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I’ve always ridden 4/5 times a week in Winter but currently struggling to motivate myself to ride on dark evenings. I’ve got a very fit and healthy 20 year old but slowed down on jumping her. I ride 3 times a week, hacking or occasional jump clinic at weekends and a flatwork lesson on Mondays. So three times a week. I’m stressing if this is enough to keep her ticking over until Feb/ March when evenings get lighter as I have no arena. Would appreciate people’s thoughts? Thank you ?

normally 4, but the last 6 weeks 0 as I have had major surgery.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I'm riding 5-6 days a week at the moment and he's out roughly 9-11 hours a day Mon-Friday. Often a bit less at weekends as we are hacking for longer or have lessons/clinics etc that might be at odd times.

But if the nomination wasn't there, I wouldn't be sweating it & just riding less.

 

[Ratface]

Nil at the moment, as I have The Heavy Cold From Hell, to go with the relentless M E and the rotator cuff shoulder injury + concussion acquired from falling over a box left out by ? on a pitch black path past the muck wagons.
Old Horse is turned out, suitably rugged, for eight hours a day and has fun annoying the grooms when he's supposed to come in by playing the "can't catch me" game, and then screaming with annoyance when they catch the others and take them in before him.
Feeling sorry for myself, but kept up to the mark on Kat duties by The Imperious One treading over me demanding Fooood, Let Me In/Out/Somewhere Else. He also objects to me reading, and intersperses his stout person between and the book.
He's now been tempted into a corner of the bunk with his own covered hot water bottle under an old fleece and a Dreamie or four. Peace reigns. For now.

 

[Ahrena]

I’m in a similar position - always been on livery; now just have a field. Also first winter of my life working mostly office hours!

I’m managing 4 times a week between weekends, flexitime and the odd wfh day. Still motivated as mine has had 2 years off with an injury then having a baby! Hoping to take it up to 5 days a week after Christmas when she should have done enough to start hiring the arena down the lane. Not feeling any pressure though as it’s a long slow build up for her after so long off.

 

[Annagain]

At the moment once or twice a week as we have saddle issues and I'm struggling to get a fitter out (mine has retired) so I'm trying to keep it light (we're ok with a riser pad but I don't want to do too much until it's right) but keep him ticking over so he doesn't lose muscle and make it even worse. Normally I'd ride about 4 times though. He's turned out for about 12 hours every day so I don't feel the need to do lots with him if I don't want to.

 

[AntiPuck]

4-5 times per week as I'm actively trying to build my horse's strength and fitness - she's out 24/7 on a slope, though, so I'm not too concerned if I miss a day as she is moving around anyway

 

[Boughtabay]

Im not ? I had big plans that I’d get my youngster fitter now ready for the spring but my work has changed so I’m not working from home at all this month. It is what it is so Mr is on an unplanned but not problematic, break. He’s out 24/7 so if it’s nice on the weekends I wouldn’t hesitate to take him for a pootle but nothing strenuous. Christmas hols I’ll do a bit more and I should be wfh again from January onwards so more chance to get back to the plan. I notice he’s sleeping a lot at the moment anyway so i think he’s having another growth spurt and I don’t mind him having 2/3 week break. I wouldn’t worry much about bringing a 20yo back to fitness after having a quiet winter either to be honest unless they have an existing issue you’re managing.

 

[RHM]

I’m currently doing 3 times a week which I feel pretty grumpy about. Full time hours with a vile commute and strict opening hours on yard with no arena lighting. All make it very difficult to fit it in. I was riding 6 days a week before this new job and it’s certainly taking some adjustment!!

 

[Abacus]

I’ve just decided to cut it to 3 or 4 times a week for each horse (2 in work). Which means I only have to ride each one every other day. Two per day is a bit too much. I’ll also give them February off.

 

[Greylegs]

My girl is getting ridden three times a week at the moment, but by other people as I'm currently grounded for health reasons ..... instructor riding her twice a week and friend hacking once (or sometimes twice also) per week. Hopefully that thrill be enough. At least she'll be beautifully schooled by the time I get back on next year!!!

 

[monte1]

Mine are both out pretty much 24/7, usually i would ride my 12 year old at least 4-5 times a week, at moment it is about 3 if i am lucky, but i am not so worried now as he is older and established, he is feeling very well when i do ride him though My youngster who will be 3 next May (how did that happen !) and is growing like a weed and has a tendency to be a bit cheeky at the moment when brought in up to the stable yard - going to nip at me and threatening to have a roll when I ask him to do something he doesn't want to like walk away from his mate - (just the terrible two's i think - as he is such a nice chap and very easy most of the time) but i will make some time over the Christmas break to do some simple short groundwork sessions with him- I am trying not to worry to much as i know in spring will all get better, but I always seem to get so frustrated at this time of year with lack of time, dark nights, mud etc - i guess we are all in the same boat !