Janette
Well-Known Member
I need a 'like' button for that. Brilliant.
tops tips to getting through winter?
- Thread starter bracken99
- Start date
Brontie
Well-Known Member
Read this, it's the Horse Keepers Winter Bible!
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=403714
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=403714
unbalanced
Well-Known Member
Sledges are great. I never once used it for dragging water to the field but I did tie it to my pony and got her to drag me around the snowy school on it 
My pony is an absolute saint.
Winter tips - erm, having a clockwork routine and a good alarm clock, make haynets the night before, buy rubbish hay for your fatties so you don't have to soak it. Tuffa suffolk boots with ski socks inside are amazing. If you put carrier bags over your socks it makes them easier to slide off, stops any slight leaks and makes them warmer as well.
Leave trails of dirty bedding around the yard in the snow so you can still get horses out and yard walk them at least.
My pony is an absolute saint. Winter tips - erm, having a clockwork routine and a good alarm clock, make haynets the night before, buy rubbish hay for your fatties so you don't have to soak it. Tuffa suffolk boots with ski socks inside are amazing. If you put carrier bags over your socks it makes them easier to slide off, stops any slight leaks and makes them warmer as well.
Leave trails of dirty bedding around the yard in the snow so you can still get horses out and yard walk them at least.
HollyWoozle
Well-Known Member
I have some ski trousers and lots of good cold weather gear from Aldi. 
Things like neck-warmers which are really cosy! You also can't beat a good hat and ear-warmers!
Last year I also invested in some snow boots from Robinsons and they were invaluable in my opinion. I got them for £17 on sale and they are comfy and warm and kept my feet lovely and dry.
Stock up on hay and food as soon as you can. I'm all about the forage so like to just ply our horses with as much hay as they can eat if there is snow on the ground. We also bought some swedes last year to give them something a bit more exciting for a treat now and then. They live next to the house so I would add hot water to their troughs when it was really cold to encourage them to drink more or would take out buckets of water from the house to keep them hydrated. I like to feed Fast Fibre and Speedibeet during winter as that's also another source of hydration and you can feed it warm if you like.
Also, don't forget to have wellies, a shovel, blanket, extra clothes, torch, drinks and snacks in the boot of your car in case you get stranded somewhere in the snow. Maybe a good book too! I have a wind up torch which you can also use to charge your phone a bit.
Things like neck-warmers which are really cosy! You also can't beat a good hat and ear-warmers! Last year I also invested in some snow boots from Robinsons and they were invaluable in my opinion. I got them for £17 on sale and they are comfy and warm and kept my feet lovely and dry.
Stock up on hay and food as soon as you can. I'm all about the forage so like to just ply our horses with as much hay as they can eat if there is snow on the ground. We also bought some swedes last year to give them something a bit more exciting for a treat now and then. They live next to the house so I would add hot water to their troughs when it was really cold to encourage them to drink more or would take out buckets of water from the house to keep them hydrated. I like to feed Fast Fibre and Speedibeet during winter as that's also another source of hydration and you can feed it warm if you like.
Also, don't forget to have wellies, a shovel, blanket, extra clothes, torch, drinks and snacks in the boot of your car in case you get stranded somewhere in the snow. Maybe a good book too! I have a wind up torch which you can also use to charge your phone a bit.