Prep for very cold weather

[canteron]

If you have any alcohol hand gel lying around, it will thaw frozen locks. Don't do as I did, and leave it locked in the frozen car....

Great tip .... we have masses of gel left over from Covid!

 

[Cragrat]

Apart from the normal winter prep, if I think icy weather is coming I wrap the taps in rags/ paper sacks/anything I can find - it really helps keeps them running!

 

[SpotsandBays]

Apart from the normal winter prep, if I think icy weather is coming I wrap the taps in rags/ paper sacks/anything I can find - it really helps keeps them running!

We do this too! I use old/damaged horse rugs rather than binning them!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

We do this too! I use old/damaged horse rugs rather than binning them!

Me too, I have a lined pony turnout wrapped like a cape over the yard tap, usually does the job, tho if v v cold I'll add a towel under it and wrap the tap more tightly.

 

[MagicMelon]

Nothing more than usual as we're used to cold up here although it has been a very mild November for us so far. I dont worry about it unless heavy snow is forecast and I might not be able to get out for a day or two (although have a 4x4) and I'll make sure the farmer has dropped off a couple hay bales. Otherwise, at this time of year I always fill the water buckets up full every evening. My tap freezes pretty easily but I have a tap in my shed which always runs (even down to -15) so I often have to do bucket runs from there which is a real irritation but hey ho thats the joys of winter. Id much rather colder temps and nice frozen ground than this mild but very wet weather we've had so far. Hate mud.

- Having read other posts above, I had never thought of chucking an old rug over the whole tap at night to stop it freezing. Why have I never done that? It might just work, unless its freezing underground. Will give it a go, thanks for the idea everyone!

 

[Palindrome]

Water to the paddock is a problem, and one that I would love to solve. Current arrangements are that the groom breaks the ice when he turns out, and then I communicate with my paddock neighbours to make sure that it is seen to again at last a couple of times before bringing in. If anyone has any smart solutions in this regard I would love to hear them!

It won't work for deep ice, but if it is just the surface that refreezes, you can have a ball or floating piece of wood in the through. The floating object should help keeping it less icy and the horse can also push to object to break the ice.

 

[Winters100]

It won't work for deep ice, but if it is just the surface that refreezes, you can have a ball or floating piece of wood in the through. The floating object should help keeping it less icy and the horse can also push to object to break the ice.

Thanks, yes we do this for when it is just a few degrees below 0, but much beyond that it doesn't work

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Same every year. Rugs of different weights and containers I can take home for fresh water. I always buy feed in bulk for winter and farmer produces hay on site so plenty.

At least this year I have him close to home again so less worry about how to get to him as I can walk from my parents house in 30 mins and from mine in about 45mins.