Riding when frozen

[Darcey22]

Hey All,
We live on main roads, no off road hacking and our school is frozen at the moment. I am due to have a lesson tomorrow at 1pm. The honking should I cancel it? If so my horse has then not been ridden for 4 days. How can I exercise her safety?

 

[Abacus]

If you can’t do anything safely then just don’t. Some people do walk work in a frozen school if it’s safe and not slippy so that’s a good way to practise walk - halt transitions and general walk, you can do lateral work and so on. I’m lucky that mine doesn’t freeze but even so I’m being quite lazy at the moment.

 

[Sossigpoker]

No I wouldn't take her on the icy roads.
This won't last long and a few days off won't do her any harm.
I wouldn't do anything more than walk in a frozen school either.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Has the school been de-frosting in the day if it gets the sun? If so, you might be ok surface-wise.

Otherwise, just cancel.

 

[TheBayThoroughbred]

I wouldn’t risk it, the chance of your horse injuring themselves or slipping and injuring you is not worth it. You could do some groundwork instead if you’re keen to get something done! When my 4yo was lame we did 2 months of groundwork only and he was even better to get on before despite the time off.

 

[vmac66]

A few of us have the same instructor and were due to have a lesson yesterday morning. The school was frozen and it was snowing. We all went for breakfast instead, instructor included. My mare can have a couple of weeks off till its safer to ride.

 

[SEL]

I can't do anything right now. Was doing groundwork until yesterday but that part of my paddock is sketchy today so they're all paddock pets until further notice. Went to the local cafe for a hot drink instead

 

[Lady Jane]

I wouldn't consider going on roads at the moment. Fortunately my school is Ok and they are going out so I'm not even tempted

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had a lesson booked on Thursday which had to be cancelled due to a frozen surface.
I’m also having to cancel horses I’m supposed to be riding as my job, here’s times when freelancing isn’t so great.

 

[Sealine]

I did a short hack yesterday afternoon just around village where the roads had been gritted. It was just about ok but as it’s colder with no sun today I’m not planning to ride again until this weather breaks. My horse has plenty of turn out and I’m not keeping him fit for anything so it’s not worth the risk.

 

[Jenko109]

Of course you should cancel the lesson if the school is frozen.

 

[irishdraft]

I hacked out in the afternoon yesterday when the sun had been out for most of the day but I was surprised how frozen some places were. Today there's no sun my arena is also frozen so no riding until it thaws abit.

 

[Squeak]

I've had to admit defeat, it was really hard to accept it when you're trying to keep momentum going but I decided it was far easier to come back from a few days off than an injury and I'd never forgive myself if something happened.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Im still riding just the short route and if it becomes slidy, I just won’t bother ?

 

[maya2008]

We can walk and trot in our wooded area of the field. Everything else, including roads, is frozen solid and icy today.

 

[Gloi]

I won't go on icy roads. Worried someone will skid into us.

 

[HorseMaid]

I couldn't even get ours in safely from the field this afternoon, the yard was like an ice rink. So out they will stay until it thaws, won't do them any harm.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I won't go on icy roads. Worried someone will skid into us.

This is the problem I think. It’s all very well picking your way around the road to avoid icy patches on the horse. Problem being when a car comes round a corner, sees a horse, breaks and skids.
Just not worth it imo

 

[AmyMay]

Im still riding just the short route and if it becomes slidy, I just won’t bother ?View attachment 104027

That looks lethal.

 

[Jenko109]

A few years back a friend rode her pony out around the short road block in similar conditions. Pony slipped over and she smashed her head. Thank goodness for her hat! Both pony and rider were unscathed but if was an important lesson for her that day.

It just isnt worth it.

 

[black and brown]

Everything was just about OK including hacking with care until this morning when we had icy rain. This quickly froze so I'm dreading a further week of cold sub-zero temperatures. Certainly no hacking, normal yard duties are bad enough.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Im still riding just the short route and if it becomes slidy, I just won’t bother ?View attachment 104027

That looks lethal wouldn't be for me I'm afraid

 

[southerncomfort]

I went out on a hack on Monday when the roads looked clear, but the further we went the more ice their was at the side of the road.

I ended up turning round after 15 minutes and went home. Haven't ridden since (school surface is frozen too) and don't expect to ride again until next weekend.

He's only 6 though so it does him no harm to have a break every now and then.

 

[Barton Bounty]

That looks lethal wouldn't be for me I'm afraid

Its not icy! Or i wouldnt be out.. on the flat…

 

[Barton Bounty]

That looks lethal.

Its not hard, its not slippy, its soft and on the flat. Each to their own I guess…. ?

 

[Kat]

I feel so lucky that we have an indoor school. The surface isn't great so you have to be a bit careful but it means that you can keep them ticking over. Lots of practicing square halts and lateral work in walk but so much better than a week off. Though we managed a hack today on lower lying roads.

 

[Fieldlife]

I’ve got access to a small indoor too. Horse lives out and indoor is 10 minutes walk but it’s still great.

I can generally hack on frozen ground unless recent rain / melting snow make dangerous.

I don’t think can tell if treacherous from a photo.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Mine are going from the stable to the field and that’s about it at the moment. The one on livery has a fabulous indoor school… but is lame!

 

[MereChristmas]

It had frozen white on Thursday night and froze again on Friday. I brought my pony home on and clipped him in the afternoon. Driving was fine.
Saturday morning it was still frozen. We managed to pick our way round the lane using verges and sheltered spots. In the woods we had a few canters on the thick grass and fallen leaves. The sun had thawed one side of the lane so we got home more easily.
I drove my pony back and got home as small ‘salt grains’ of snow fell briefly. This morning the frost was even harder but no more snow had fallen.
I don’t expect to ride again this week at the livery as the lanes there hold the frost. The forecast is -5 degrees and fog.

 

[mini_b]

No snow here but work cancelled.
Fields frozen, arenas frozen.

Roads look ok however I had a pony skid onto its side, on a road that appeared ok but it was freezing temps and shod - it skinned all sticky out joints which took forever to heal and it was so so winded. This was years ago and I wonder what chiro/physio it actually needed afterwards.