Riding in the winter

Walrus

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16 January 2007
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OK guys, I think I'm asking the impossible! How do any of yuo cope with riding around work in the winter. I have to leave at 8.30 at the latest and can get home for 6 at the earliest. No floodlights or school, everything is hacking but horses need to be kept fit fit fit for hunting etc. The horses are at home so it's the best situation for reducing time but I still don't see how it's possible. Anyone have any tips for getting through the super dark months?

Cheers

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I have bought some lights and have to ride in the field using them after work, not ideal as its often too muddy to do proper work but its better than nothing.
 
ive got a head light thing that goes on my hat and the flashing led arm bands the head light is amazing i bought it in tesco
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oh and cant forget my hi viz jacket :P i dont get home till 6 so im in the same boat realli but i tend to school him at least twice a week then hack the rest
 
Can you get onto your hacking without going on roads?

I quite like hacking in the dark if its on tracks you know well and are sure about the footing.
 
I am not mad enough/brave enough to ride in the dark so last winter I rode at weekends and Monday and Fridays as I finish a little early and can squeeze a quick one in. The year before my girl just got ridden at weekends, nothing I could do about it. This year I am lucky enough to be on a new yard with a menage and flood lights so no skivving off for us this year
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I'm same as you - mine are at home where I only have paddocks to ride in. I try to keep mine fit for BSJA through the winter but TBH I give up and give my horse time off usually from November - January as the ground is too frozen or wet to do anything and I don't hack! Im out of the house from 9-6.30 so it will be pitch black soon. I have 1 floodlight attached to the back of my stabling which shines onto one of the paddocks. This is enough for me to lunge at night if the ground is good enough.
 
Like others above, I ride out in the dark, with Christmas Tree decor and all off-road (if you exclude the byway, but we're so well lit up, people slow down quicker than they do in the daylight!).
 
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