New Horse Owners - how are you coping with Winter?!

[canteron]

Just thinking now that the Winter has set in properly.

After many Winters and many steep learning curves I am now sorted as to how to cope with frozen water (and how to stop it freezing). My hay is inside so I don't have to fill up nets in the cold, the shelters are facing out of the wind, I have many pairs of warm gloves so I can dry out one pair while wearing another and have sorted out my paddock rotation for Winter & Summer.

But this has taken many years ..... is your first year more difficult/easier than you anticipated - and other hints from any seasoned Winter Horse Owners welcomed!

 

[TigerTail]

This is my second year as sole owner rather than loanee etc. Last year was a baptism by fire, 3 feet of snow 2nd week of november and -15 temps with horse living out!

This year has been a total doddle so far - made easier by the fact im now in charge and do not rely on others who only let you down

 

[welshponylover]

THE MUD!!!!!!!!!!!

Having a white pony..not such a good idea!! Other than that, its just filling up water buckets and cleaning feed buckets etc that gets me even colder and mucking out. Oh and icy yards....
already bored of winter...summer please!!!

 

[Mince Pie]

Really? Winter has barely begun!! Just wait until the snow comes, everything takes 3 x as long and you have to take water in from home as all the pipes have frozen....

 

[blood_magik]

This is my second year having a horse in the UK. I think I'm sorted now - just need to be organised with regards to riding and feeds.

 

[Waffles]

This is my 17th year of having a horse who is stabled at night. Mucking out on christmas day - no different from any other, except that I'm the only one on the yard in the afternoon. It's just part of life really..... I had 4 months without a horse this spring/summer as I had my lovely old boy PTS - I would have given anything to be wading through mud/walking to the farm in snow/being frozen/soaked just to have him back.....

 

[Kat]

This is my first winter.

And today is the first day I haven't ridden due to weather. It was too snowy to go on the road, the outdoor was frozen and the indoor was busy.

The roads were hairy but ok in my not very suitable car. Water not frozen, and frozen ground made the mud better.