Summer horses or winter horses

[ironhorse]

All this snow talk got me thinking - is your horse happier in the summer or winter?

Our mare adores the heat - she's the best horse in the world to show on a hot day, and duirng one of the rare heatwaves this summer, the groom at our yard was totally nonplussed to find me working on flying changes at 2 o'clock in the afternoon under a blistering sun. The mare was absolutely loving it, and I followed up the session by giving her a lengthy shampoo and then turned her out to dry off. Conversely she's foul when it's this cold - the rugs only come off to ride her and for the briefest of grooming sessions.

But equally I had a hunter who loved the winter - he was like an old plod in the summer, but became a totally different horse as soon as it turned cold. Yet he was sensible with it - in icy conditions he would carefully pick his way over the best ground, and in nasty, wet weather he'd get this hilariously serious expression on his face and trot dourly through the driving rain.

Which have you got?

 

[Bovril]

Definatley a summer horse, my mare loves the summer, she loves living out all the time, is a complete pain to catch unless you have a bucket with something in it, she is much happier in the summer. As soon as it gets to October she will start waiting at the gate as if saying well I'm ready to come in do you expect me to stay out here in the cold, she is better than a calander!! she turns in to a grumpy old lady who puts her ears back and snaps at any other horse in the stable who looks at her they have all learnt to avoid her, (The same 3 horses she is turned out with 24/7 through the summer when she loves them), if I am even 5 mins later than she expects getting her in then even I get the evil eye, until she see's her tea that is then I'm forgiven, the other 3 horses are not allowed anywhere near the gate incase they get taken in before her, if the other 2's mum get there first Lilly will allow her to get her 2 and bring them in with out causing a problem or trying to escape but as she see's herself as the Matriarch of the herd she's not happy about it!!! But I love her and her funny little ways!! not sure if that makes me stranger than her lol !!

 

[StarFell]

Hmm its hard to say, Star seems happy whatever the weather really... he's an absolute pain to catch in the summer when it's hot, he just wants to stay out all the time, but then again he's been loving this cold weather too! He loves flying round the field with his fieldmates in the snow, and hes had a bit of a personality change with it too, very prancy and "snorty"

 

[Firehorse]

Ben's definitely a summer pony and i am a summer person. he gets so grumpy if he's cold or hungry, and seems to go a bit mad when the weather turns in autumn. all summer long he's a docile well behaved gentleman.

 

[Toffee44]

Summer:


lots of grass
no rug
all day hacking
No MUD (I am dreading the thaw)

 

[Santa Clause]

Defiantly winter, this morning it was like someone had put a rocke tup her bum, got out of the stable but she rolled EN ROUTE to the field! then got up did a fair few leapy rears before tortting down to her own field (me being dragged along ski style) and rolling a bit more,
WINTER PONY

 

[sakura]

deffo a summer horse, he hates the winter! He loves snow but the rest drives him almost insane at times and he hates mud with a passion!

 

[Hen]

Pocket pony is neither a summer not a winter horse, expressly - she does seem to prefer the temperate months. No flies, no allergies, no bright light, no itchiness due to excessive heat or too much rugging.

But so long as she gets her food, lots of sleep and a little run around - and cuddles - she seems happy! The wet, though, is not her bag. She might drown in them puddles...

 

[Jojo_Pea4]

I cant decide which one.

In summer he's chilled, no nipping, easy to do anything to, loves hacking on the hottest of days, loves jumping on hot days, just finds schooling a bit tough and gets lazy. Brilliant to compete. Enjoys a bath.

In winter he gets grouchy, nips, fidgets, hates rug change, tacking up. Still enjoys being groomed. Still easy to turn out and bring in. Doesnt mind the odd day in but will tell me when he's had enough.
Ridden, hes full of it, loves long hacks, jumping, and schooling. I can get some really nice work from him.

So temperment wise I would say he's happier summer but ridden he's happier winter.

 

[fidleyspromise]

Hmmm, I would edge more towards Winter than Summer for Tilly as she isn't as grumpy and she gets grub. She also gets very itchy and hot easily due to her wooly mammoth coat.

I've seen other horses wrapped in rugs all huddled together looking miserable at the gate in a storm and Tilly oblivious to it all as she munches her grass in the middle of the field.

Fidley - I'm not sure of yet - as long as it's dry as she does seem to feel the wet weather easily.

 

[Vikki89]

Mystic prefers the summer, he is grumpy when its cold and will then pick on the other horses, doesn't like being ridden in bad weather, so he now has nice warm rugs on but is still out in the snow during the day and always comes to the gate when he sees me going to get them in after work.

Monty is the same summer and winter although he does sweat up in just in the field when it is really hot (had to clip him this summer). He only has a no fill rug on during the day and doesn't bother to come to the gate when I go to get them in, he carries on eating til i get to him.

Mollie is just grumpy all year round so I don't think she is too bothered what the weather is like.

 

[skychick]

Definatley a summer horse, my mare loves the summer, she loves living out all the time, is a complete pain to catch unless you have a bucket with something in it, she is much happier in the summer. As soon as it gets to October she will start waiting at the gate as if saying well I'm ready to come in do you expect me to stay out here in the cold, she is better than a calander!! she turns in to a grumpy old lady who puts her ears back and snaps at any other horse in the stable who looks at her they have all learnt to avoid her, (The same 3 horses she is turned out with 24/7 through the summer when she loves them), if I am even 5 mins later than she expects getting her in then even I get the evil eye, until she see's her tea that is then I'm forgiven, the other 3 horses are not allowed anywhere near the gate incase they get taken in before her, if the other 2's mum get there first Lilly will allow her to get her 2 and bring them in with out causing a problem or trying to escape but as she see's herself as the Matriarch of the herd she's not happy about it!!! But I love her and her funny little ways!! not sure if that makes me stranger than her lol !!

You have just totaly described my mare!

 

[L&M]

Niether - I am sure mine would choose spring and autumn!!

Nice lush grass, 24/7 turnout but without searing heat or flies, snow or mud, lightweight rugs only when really necessary, softer ground underfoot so lots of galloping fun......

Dreaming of spring.....