riding in the snow?

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eventing09

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as much as i would love to do it i just look at it been too dangerous and would never forgive myself if anything happened. but surely it musnt be as bad as so many people do it? whats everyones views?
 
I rode in the snow on Sunday, and can't see any reason not to when the snow is fresh. Prepare by greasing your horse's feet, only hack on known off-road routes so you know the ground quirks, be sensible and enjoy!
 
We played and lunged in the snow (outdoor arena) and as his feet didn't get too full (only has front shoes anyway) might well ride on a day when I have time for that as well. No chance of just hopping straight on as with zero proper turn out we def need to lunge/loose school as well as using the walker. Would say that we're talking about an arena surface/designated tracks in farm fields here. Not going to be going anywhere likely to be icy (inc. the pretty track next to the fishing lake) and def not on public roads.
 
I rode in the snow yesterday, we dont have a lot so didnt really get stuck in his front feet (no shoes on back). He didnt slip/trip or anything. I love riding in the snow
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I rode today! I ride in the field whilst the weather is like this.

I only ride in the fields with longish length grass on my friends horse (see pic) and all I do is trot, this way the hooves dont get too snowballed up. The field is big enough for a canter but just a bit nervous of him slipping so i stick to trotting.

Please excuase the 'mushroom head' look, it was too cold to remove my ear warmers!
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(Plus a pic of my dog just because I love her
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no not riding as can only go on roads in this weather and the driveway to get out is just sheet ice...

though years ago when I went to a riding stables we used to go cantering over the fields in the snow....the horses kept getting snow stilts and so kept stumbling alot so I personnally I prefer to wait out the weather...when it's your own horse it's different cause it's you who has to pay the vet bills.
 
I used to ride my 14.2 pony in the snow when I was a kid. I must have had surprising sense then as I stuck to fields rather than going on roads with slippy concrete underneath. I put butter in his hooves to stop the snow balling off and we were fine but it was so white and deep, after half an hour I used to get a kind of "snow blindness" feeling! However, I don't fancy riding my 17hh warmblood in the snow because if he falls, he is huge! Theres also ice to cross to get to any kind of field worth riding in which is just too risky. Fresh powder snow is best to ride in, we have more than a foot here.
 
I only ride in it either when I am sure the ground is not frozen underneath it, or if it is thick enough to completely cushion any frozen parts. I've had two great canter work sessions yesterday and today in over a foot of cover, to get my horse fit to hunt on Boxing Day.
 
I've ridden every day since Monday in the snow. Both are unshod though. Ride either in stubble field or grassy field with a cushion of snow. Don't go out on roads though, just the nice fresh snow.
 
I know some people but Vaseline (i think it is) under horses hooves to stop them balling up
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If I had off road hacking I would definitely ride out. But to get to any off road hacking here you have to go on road, lanes etc.
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I rode in the3 snow (thick up here in NE Scotland) seveal times this week - and the kids have been out hacking for several hours yesterday, with a fair amount of trotting, and I'm going out for an xmas day hack

No problems. never slipped - we have 14" here. Some of the tracks were beaten down and icy, but these were no problem either.

Mine are unshod, with great concavity and very sure footed
 
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