Planning for Winter!

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SaddleUpSin

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May be getting another loan from September - June (helping a friend so she doesnt have to sell her pony again, got abused and she bought him back) whilst his owner is at Uni, only thing is I've never done the winter slog and am full of questions even though its only June! Also hoping to keep my part loan (at same yard) so need some hefty planning to make sure I have time for both!

A) He'll be grasskept, so would I have to change rugs during the day so he doesnt get too hot?
B) Foot/Healthcare, want to prevent any nasties, would baby wiping and drying heels daily help? Seen washing in tepid water suggested but would wiping be a suitable alternative?
C) Hoping to change my hours 10-6 to give me morning time, but that means field visits in the dark, assuming I'll have to check pony, feed, change rugs. How bad is this in the dark?
D) How long do your winter jobs take you roughly?

Thanks in advance :)
 
Don't mention winter !!!!! only joking.

If pony is unclipped then leave unrugged all winter or certainly for as long as possible (he will need shelter in field if living out - good tall hedges or trees or a field shelter)- even when rugged may only need a lightweight sheet which can stay on when wet and taken off when dry. If you leave the same rug on all the time you need to take it off regularly to check for rubs (especially around shoulders). Ask owner what she normally does in winter.

leave feet well alone unless problems develop - pick out regularly but don't ever wet them or use anything on them unless there is an issue. If he develops mud fever you may need to treat it and get him off the field if muddy so his feet have a chance to dry.

In winter 20 mins twice a day to check horse, change rug, pick out feet and poo pick (if you need to put hay out and lug water around then longer) - some people use a head torch but I find torches a pain so just do it in the dark, you will need to make sure you see him in the light but assume you will in the morning.

All good fun unless it rains for months on end!

ps assume he will have a companion - you may be able to team up with someone to share chores !!
 
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Can you give us a bit more info on the pony please. Whilst a well fed native will be happy unrugged a skinny oldie may benefit.

Most of my charges are happy out with just adlib hay in the winter. They are hayed twice a day and water checked (they will drink more water when on hay we have an IBC which is a life saver as we are on a well)

oldie and my Gelderlander come in and both are rugged.

Head torches (numerous) are always handy.

Waterproofs and thermal willies for you!

Ditto don't wash legs as you wont be able to dry them.

I have 4 horses at home now and they take me 15 minutes in the morning to hay and turnout the two that are in and 30 minutes PM but that includes mucking out, and haying the two left out.
 
meesha said:
Don't mention winter !!!!! only joking.

If pony is unclipped then leave unrugged all winter or certainly for as long as possible (he will need shelter in field if living out - good tall hedges or trees or a field shelter)- even when rugged may only need a lightweight sheet which can stay on when wet and taken off when dry. If you leave the same rug on all the time you need to take it off regularly to check for rubs (especially around shoulders). Ask owner what she normally does in winter.

leave feet well alone unless problems develop - pick out regularly but don't ever wet them or use anything on them unless there is an issue. If he develops mud fever you may need to treat it and get him off the field if muddy so his feet have a chance to dry.

In winter 20 mins twice a day to check horse, change rug, pick out feet and poo pick (if you need to put hay out and lug water around then longer) - some people use a head torch but I find torches a pain so just do it in the dark, you will need to make sure you see him in the light but assume you will in the morning.

All good fun unless it rains for months on end!

ps assume he will have a companion - you may be able to team up with someone to share chores !!
Click to expand...

Wellies!!!! Thermal Wellies!!!!
 
A head torch! I tried making do with my phone, but you really do need both hands for gates, covers, feed buckets and hay!!

In terms of how long it takes me, if I don't get stuck talking to anyone, usually takes me about half a hour. Thats including rug changes, poo picking, moving electric tape and a quick cuddle. Mornings take however long it takes me to walk from car to paddock, dump feed and hay and take a cover off.
 
Yes, wellies, I have Dunlop wellies for use in cold stores, never had cold feet in them. Also I have a beanie from sealskinz which is waterproof!
 
I was going to say good thermals and I use working gloves and silk gloves inside for extra warmth in the winter! I have to say I would be lost without my head-torch in the winter! Better to spend that bit more or shop around and get one that throws out a decent amount of light! I am also looking to invest in a solar powered light that I can put up in my field shelter which means I can take him undercover and change his rugs (if necessary)

It usually doesn't take me too long to do things. Chuck food and hay in the mornings, change or take rugs off, check all looks ok and then head off to work. I spend a bit more time in the evening after work, grooming checking him over throughly, more hay fed and that's about it 1 1/2 hours tops usually. I generally save my poop-scooping for the weekend when I have the daylight, but this really depends. If snow is forecast I try and keep on top of it everyday so there is less buried!
 
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