What's your winter routine/ survival tips?

[palominoponeh]

mornings turn out, muck out but leave bed up for day for mats to dry out, afternoon poo picking, grooming and nights bring in and put bed down and fill up hay. my best friend is my head torch

 

[L&B]

I’m a creature of routine, so I have a specific way of doing things that I find is most efficient. I do all jobs in the morning, so all I have to do in the evening is bring in, poo pick, ride and finish off. I do the next days haynets when the girls are eating their tea. Then I can just grab the nets the next day.

Another great tip I have is not to think too much! I can get into a dreadful habit of wondering what life must be like to be warm in front of the fire, or not having to dash out early every morning so if I start thinking like that, I stop myself!

Routine and organisation seem to be a huge thing for most of us... I like my routine but I am a scatter brain - perhaps something I ought to work on!!
LOVE your tip of not thinking too much -- I too get caught up in wishing the gateways were less muddy, wishing we had more storage, envying those with a floodlit menage. Winter is hard enough, without all of that!! Survival and weekend riding for a lot of us is all we can manage... Excellent tip not to think too much!!!!!!!!

Like AA, I am organised and ensure i have everything to hand, never go up or down the yard empty handed (time and motion) Am there twice a day every day, often in the dark, so a good head torch and spare are necessary.

Hay and bedding was brought in bulk in the summer. Feed is in, in enough quantities to last till xmas or early new year.

2 big water tanks which are currently clean and empty, are on standby to be put into position (1 goes at the back of big shelter) if the weather looks like temps staying below zero for a few days. Means I can dunk buckets in, or at least know that the fuzzies have access to sheltered water.

Battery lights were checked this weekend, muck heap going next weekend.

Finally, spare gloves, lots of them all paired and pegged together, in 2 carrier bags in feed store, hanging from ceiling to prevent damage.

Prob lots more...

I could do with you on my yard! I'm there on my own and I'm Mrs Scatterbrain! Could do with someone encouraging me to pull my socks up!! You're sooooo organised!

Organisation is your friend! Like others I do as much in the morning light as I can. I keep gloves, waterproofs and boots in the car, headtorch in coat pocket and warm hat. I make up the weeks work of feeds in labelled bags which saves lots of time, and I make up morning feeds the night before, and evening feeds in the morning. Current stable and turnout rugs are in stables ready to go. A decent headtorch is a must, I also keep a wheelbarrow and skip by their field so I can poopick before bringing in without making a second trip. I also keep a bucket with a dustpan and brush etc for messes in a convenient place. Main thing is sussing out how to make as few trips up and down the yard as possible!

Definitely! As few trips up/down the field is key for me!!!!!! I hear ya!!!!

 

[meleeka]

My absolute must have is a warm hat. I rarely need gloves if I have a warm coat and my hat on, which is just as well as I hate gloves.

I do everything in the morning so that I just have to feed and hang haynets in the evening. I’m lucky that I’m not on livery so can have my set up how I want. Horses are free range with yard and stables open so no need to catch anything in the dark. I am a bit of a scaredy in the dark so I have lights everywhere. Where I can’t get electric I have solar lights so I feel safer.

 

[L&B]

Current horse has to be first in or he starts doing the screaming wall of death in the field. Current routine is to bring in during my lunch (Which I take as late as poss, so 2:30ish. Thankfully I work v.close to yard), then drop in on way home: fresh haynet, skip out, groom, kiss goodnight. When it was lighter, he’d be ridden, but that’s now a morning sport.

Mornings he’s either out at the crack of sparrow-fart, or, if I’ve been up early enough to consume enough coffee, ridden.

My little old cob never gave a fig whether he was in first or last, with or without company. The new boy is exhausting!

Always entertaining when you have a not-so-straight-forward pony... I have one who is as laid back as they come and another who is highly strung and can create a song and dance at the most inopportune of times! Usually at 6.30am in a morning when you really DO need to get sorted! I feel ya'!

Going to be a culture shock for me this year after moving from cornwall to Cumbria! Already my trusted sheepskin gloves are being traded up for full sheepskin gloves after the last week!

My two 'have to haves' right now are my nordvek gloves which as I say I am upgrading from fingerless to proper gloves! And my headtorch.... other than that it should just be business as usual for the beast and me

Brrr! Cumbrian weather is certainly a little more chilly & wet. Though, BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL backdrop... We toyed with the idea of moving, until we realised we really couldn't afford it. How is your riding? I'll bet incredible!!
Not heard of the nordvek gloves -- shall take a peep!

If you're on a yard, make arrangements with friends. I turn out for my friend in the morning, she brings in for me in the evening.

I've just swapped a cosy yard with amazing friends for my own field & three stables... Still, everything has it's bonuses and my friends are STILL excellent helps if I'm really struggling.

Warm clothes! A couple of pairs of the cheap thinsulate gloves as a pair are bound to get wet. I’ve bought waterproof ones this year. Good socks and good warm boots. Head torch for doing hay.

Horse wise, have everything organised so you know where it is. If working, do as many haynets in advance as possible. If soaking hay, buy in a few bags of horsehage incase you have an icey spell with no water.

Good socks/boots a must! I cannot STAND having wet feet! I'm in need of some new uns at the mo actually! Any recommendations?

 

[holeymoley]

Always entertaining when you have a not-so-straight-forward pony... I have one who is as laid back as they come and another who is highly strung and can create a song and dance at the most inopportune of times! Usually at 6.30am in a morning when you really DO need to get sorted! I feel ya'!




Brrr! Cumbrian weather is certainly a little more chilly & wet. Though, BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL backdrop... We toyed with the idea of moving, until we realised we really couldn't afford it. How is your riding? I'll bet incredible!!
Not heard of the nordvek gloves -- shall take a peep!



I've just swapped a cosy yard with amazing friends for my own field & three stables... Still, everything has it's bonuses and my friends are STILL excellent helps if I'm really struggling.



Good socks/boots a must! I cannot STAND having wet feet! I'm in need of some new uns at the mo actually! Any recommendations?

Boot-wise for warmth you can’t go wrong with the muckboot wellies. If you’ve got an unlimited bank account then I love my Dubarrys all year round. I also have a pair of Dublin river boots that are reasonably insulated too. I was thinking of trying the Harry hall insulated ones this year, worth a try for £30?

 

[bubsqueaks]

This year for the first time ever I am keeping mine out during the night & in during the day for as long as weather/fields allow - based on a 6am-4pm turn around system they are getting an extra 4 hours turnout a day which means 28 hours a week over an extra day - keeping them on this routine cuts down on bedding too & fits in better with my lifestyle & gives them more natural freedom.
I too fill haynets ready for the week.
Have recently bought a large hay hutch & hay grazer for the 2 out 24/7 which cuts down on some labour filling.
Im also using those enormous builders merchants sacks ( sand etc get delivered in them) & leave them filled under the hedge ready for topping up when required.
My wheelbarrow bag is a blessing keeping field water topped up when I have more time.
Head torch is a must.

 

[L&B]

It's been a couple of years since we had the horses, rather than DD1 having them, and them not being on full livery, but what I remember is:

Hay nets - whatever day of the week you get to be at the yard in daylight, do the week's worth;
Water buckets - if you have a tap with a connector, get a bit of hose the right length and hook it up to fill up. Take it home to stop it from freezing;
Waders - can't stress these enough! They're brill. No more losing wellies in the mud and no more muddy ar$e;
Gloves, spare socks, waterproof jacket, hats - keep spares in the car and in your secure place at the yard;
Feed - use the big ice-cream boxes or similar to have feed made up (same day as do haynets);
Headtorch - get a decent one that doesn't mind getting wet;
Extra light - most stables seem to be on the dim side, so an additional light can make all the difference;
Rubber matting - reduces mucking out time.

Probably loads more that I won't remember until reality hits this winter! Though all are out and have a big shelter, so no mucking out to be dealing with

Water buckets! Good shout! I could do with some hose... Must ransack local diy shop on the weekend. Bucketing to/from DOES take up a lot of time!!
Waders? Really? I wouldn't know where to start looking for them!! Are they a fishing thing?

 

[HashRouge]

Out 24/7 - much easier! And I give up poo picking once the clocks change.

 

[MrsMozart]

Water buckets! Good shout! I could do with some hose... Must ransack local diy shop on the weekend. Bucketing to/from DOES take up a lot of time!!
Waders? Really? I wouldn't know where to start looking for them!! Are they a fishing thing?

Waders - fishing shop. Brilliant things!

 

[L&B]

Being on a great livery yard makes winter easier. Hot wash boxes, floodlit menage, indoor stabling, racks for drying wet rugs and under cover space for farrier. Bedding and forage is delivered and YO offers services when needed. Apart from the lack of daylight, winter isn't so bad here.

Oh to live the dream....

 

[Shavings]

I'm DIY this year with chance coming in over night, i have to say i am lucky as chance isn't fussy!

so the morning goes like this
6.15 am alarm goes of, slam and snooze for 15 mins
6.30 alarm goes of, drag self from bed put on fleece leggings
6.35am go down stairs put on coat and water proof pants over above leggings, then boots
6.40am get in car and begin driving
6.55/7am (traffic pendant) arrive at yard to hear loud and what sounds like distressed calls form horse
7.02 run from car in to barn to find chance upright happy and well and startled me for no reason.. bl**dy horse!
give him breakfast.
wile he eats change rug and apple over reach boots
roughly 7.10 drag chance to field and let down
then head back to the barn where i hang the filled hay net
then begin mucking out, bed gets throw up for the day to allow mats to dry
7.30am back in car go home shower breakfast walk dogs arrive in work at 8.45am get moaned at that i have hair/dog hair on me

6pm finish work and drive to yard, go find chance and bring in
drop bed wile he eats dinner, change rugs , give love then home (normally home about 7.30 ish again dependant on traffic)

That is Monday to Friday

Saturday same as above but work begins at 9.30

Sunday is my day off so the above happens but with grooming, more loving, and hay net filling, i have 7 nets and chance gets one big net a night so fill them all and that is the week ready

god love chance he has moved about a lot lately, but he seems rather happy where he is, he goes out in the morning alone (2 fields over is a mare and her yearling filly) so he can see some one and call them to, if i had to wait for another owner to come turn out i think i would be in a spot of bother as no one else arrives til 7.45/8am

 

[L&B]

mornings turn out, muck out but leave bed up for day for mats to dry out, afternoon poo picking, grooming and nights bring in and put bed down and fill up hay. my best friend is my head torch

You sound like me! Are you on your own space? Do you manage to ride, or like me is it weekends only?

My absolute must have is a warm hat. I rarely need gloves if I have a warm coat and my hat on, which is just as well as I hate gloves.

I do everything in the morning so that I just have to feed and hang haynets in the evening. I’m lucky that I’m not on livery so can have my set up how I want. Horses are free range with yard and stables open so no need to catch anything in the dark. I am a bit of a scaredy in the dark so I have lights everywhere. Where I can’t get electric I have solar lights so I feel safer.

I hate gloves too. With a passion, I do more damage and am clumsier with gloves on cos I can't bl***y feel anything!!
Also, feel ya' on the darkness thing - our yard is RIGHT next door to a cemetery. The graves start at our main gates... EEEEEEEKKK!

Boot-wise for warmth you can’t go wrong with the muckboot wellies. If you’ve got an unlimited bank account then I love my Dubarrys all year round. I also have a pair of Dublin river boots that are reasonably insulated too. I was thinking of trying the Harry hall insulated ones this year, worth a try for £30?

I have some second hand muckboot wellies donated to me by a friend with a v flat foot who couldn't get on with them... Perhaps now's the time to get wearing them...
I love dubarrys too - had one pair in my life but spoilt them by using them to muck out weewee's when I had a v wet gelding. Money down the drain. Now I don't bother.
Not seen the HH insulated ones, link?

This year for the first time ever I am keeping mine out during the night & in during the day for as long as weather/fields allow - based on a 6am-4pm turn around system they are getting an extra 4 hours turnout a day which means 28 hours a week over an extra day - keeping them on this routine cuts down on bedding too & fits in better with my lifestyle & gives them more natural freedom.

Like the out in the night, in during day routine. One I'll need to adopt as of the weekend due to local fireworks anyway (would rather they be out)!! How do you know you'll save on bedding?

Out 24/7 - much easier! And I give up poo picking once the clocks change.

Oooo you must have some lovely big fields? I have under 3acres for 2horses and it already looks a bit mushy in the top paddock wish I could let them live out... It's a steep learning curve for me as only just got the place to myself (rented) in Sept, so trying to figure out what will recover, what areas will need what etc for the first time is tough!!

 

[Queenbee]

Brrr! Cumbrian weather is certainly a little more chilly & wet. Though, BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL backdrop... We toyed with the idea of moving, until we realised we really couldn't afford it. How is your riding? I'll bet incredible!!
Not heard of the nordvek gloves -- shall take a peep!

The riding and scenery are incredible. NORDVEK gloves are amazing, very reasonably priced too. My finger less pair have been going strong for 5 years now. Can't rate them highly enough.

We thought the same re: cumbria and as stunning as it is the roads get so busy in peak season in the national park that I personally would not wish to ride there. We never thought it would be possible to move here. But we have, we moved to the west coast, just out of the national park and the prices are so reasonable. We are 1mile from the sea and about 4 miles from the start of the mountains and forests. We managed to buy a 3 bedroom house for a little more than 1/3 of what we sold our 2 bed in Cornwall for. We are nicely mortgage free in a beautiful part of the world with a really lovely home on the edge of a village overlooking fields 😍

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Part-time working! The best thing I ever did. Sister and I work opposite ends of the week (different jobs) so there is usually one of us available to do horses/stables during daylight hours and the one who has been at work just needs to help bring in and then spend the evening relaxing.

 

[milliepops]

Another great tip I have is not to think too much! I can get into a dreadful habit of wondering what life must be like to be warm in front of the fire, or not having to dash out early every morning so if I start thinking like that, I stop myself!

control of your own mind is so important
I find if I start looking in through open curtains into cosy looking sitting rooms when I'm on my way to the yard on a dark wet night, I'm done for!

 

[Leo Walker]

I don't find the actual care of the horse that hard. Its the mud and weather I don't like! I chuck her out at 6.30am wearing overall over my clothes, then head to work. I go on the way home, check water which is filled with a hose and lasts 3 days usually, muck out, empty the wheelbarrow and refill with hay, chuck hay in the hay feeder, wash bucket and make feed up which soaks while I catch in, then its grab pony in and either work her or head home. Takes me 5 mins on a morning and 15mins on an evening.

I don't work weds, sat or sun and I pay some one to turn out and bring in on those days so I can go down whenever the weather is nicest!

 

[Tarragon]

Own native ponies that grow their own rugs and live out

BUT, I do still have to worry about frozen pipes and being able to handle those few days of the year when I cannot drive to the yard because of snow and ice. So my preparation is to ensure that I have some bales of hay put aside and a kettle to defrost frozen taps

 

[Akkalia1]

I have my three at home (well 2 and a half really since one is a mini shetland!) with my own land and stables. After trying to hold off until November I have caved and am now in the winter routine of in at night and out during the day.

I'm up at 6am and out to stables, feed, start mucking out first one while they're scoffing, change rug on the only rugged one. Turn out then finish mucking out and leave beds banked up for later. Take the dog for a walk to take hay nets out to the field for the fatty ponies that aren't on the winter grazing field yet. That takes me to 7am (or 7:05 more usually, always running late), feed dog, feed cats, quick shower, quick breakfast and off to work at 7:40.

Finish work at 4pm, home for 4:30, usually back out to yard for 5pm. Then I get all the beds down, hay nets and water filled and go to collect the three beasties, two now ravenous and all wanting in. Get hauled along the road to stables by starving Fjord and shetland, TB trailing behind unless spooking at some monster in the gloom. Ride if I'm riding - usually the TB during the week now as the Fjord is just a hacker really so she's now relegated to weekend only riding. I'm very very lucky to have good lights in the stables and yard and a floodlit arena. Prior to having the arena my clever husband did set up some solar powered lights in our field by some wizardry which did work quite well. And even further prior to this I just had battery lights in the stables which were pants and no hayshed, just the tarpaulin of doom. My key to success now is good facilities!! And a clever husband. After riding horses are fed, I do any grooming of hairy, muddy non TB ponies, make up morning feeds and make up haynets for morning too. Then back to house for about 7pm. Have dinner, collapse for a bit then go out and do a 9 or 10pm skip out and hay top up if needed. Annnnnnd bed.

I really should do a bulk haynet fill at the weekend, maybe bulk feed making as well but I never do. Would need to buy more hay nets for a start and the two fatties are double netted.

Not many tips there. Get salt for yards, the number of times I've not and the yard has turned into an ice rink and I've then been unable to find anywhere with salt left is numerous. Lots of layers. Sealskinz gloves - excellent for breaking ice on water buckets, fully waterproof and warm. Woof wear winter thermal gloves for riding are my favourite. Tip a container load of hot water into field buckets at night if you can in really cold periods. Minimises the layer you have to break through in the morning!

Oh and if like me you have over 100m of hose running out to the field, if you know a fireman and they can get you the hoses that they throw out when they can't use them any more because the directional arrows on them have faded, it's definitely worth it! Excellent for not freezing.

 

[Nasicus]

Mine live out 24/7, which whilst much easier than dealing with a winter with stabled horses, does come with it's own pitfalls. Mostly to do with mud, funnily enough...

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Teas and haynets made up on a Sunday for the week.

Also live in turnouts so they stay warm, dries rugs when they are wet better, and saves time changing them.

These are my toP tips too. Makes a significant difference to daily chores.

Also if it’s due to be really cold overnight I fill water carriers the day before and store inside for water the next day and WD40 handy for frozen locks.

 

[Annagain]

Have just had word that ours have to come in overnight from the weekend, a full 3 weeks earlier than usual. Gah, I'm not a happy bunny. Arch got quite stiff towards the end of last winter. He's had his coffin joint injected so I'm hoping he'll be better this year but if not, there's a horrible decision ahead.

 

[Sprat]

Part livery. It may seem like a cop out to some, but I have done years of DIY in all weather, and frankly got sick of it. I have fibromyalgia which is triggered by the colder weather, so it was a no brainer really to move onto part. I couldn't cope with another morning sobbing into the hay barn because I was so cold and in so much pain I couldn't do my nets!

However, when I was DIY I echo what others have said - routine and organisation is key. I used to make up all of my haynets and feeds of a weekend, so there was minimal faff during the week. I also paired up with fellow liveries and we shared bring ins / turn outs etc, that was hugely helpful.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Routine and organisation seem to be a huge thing for most of us...
I could do with you on my yard! I'm there on my own and I'm Mrs Scatterbrain! Could do with someone encouraging me to pull my socks up!! You're sooooo organised!

Having had my own yard for a great number of years, I need to be organised as nobody else there to pick up for me lol

Tip, if own place, leave the yard sweeping till a weekend or when there in daylight after riding, it will warm you up.
Square up muck heap every couple of days, just level over in between when tipping a barrow out.
Time is better spent on a dark work day brushing horses off, or rinsing feed buckets etc.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

I put my horse on full day care on Wednesdays so I can work over a little at work - (I'm hourly paid so that extra money pays for the full day care service.) Then I go to my Mum's for a couple of hours, make tea, have a good chinwag and then go from there to the gym and then home. Having that day off mid week keeps me sane and I get to see more of my lovely Mum. It's a win win. Winter is long, dreary, cold and depressing. I have that mid week evening off and look forward to it.

Because I can't get to the yard in the morning I also make up a haynet for my horse the night before and then carry it out to her paddock and put it in a large tub type bucket with another one over the top to stop the rain/snow getting in. It insulates it and prevents it from freezing. Staff turnout my horse in the morning and she goes up to the bucket and knocks the top off with her nose. They think its hilarious as she often trots up to it in excitement (especially if it had pony nuts in too, and knocks it flying with her head! Ooomph.)

This year I have one better than those plastic tubs. I have two big thick large plastic buckets that someone used to soak their nets in and discarded in the skip. I will line them with bubble wrap so my damp hay doesn't freeze. They are a lot thicker and more durable than a plastic tub thing, I just need to cut the big rope handles off for safety or push them down and secure with bailing twine so no foot is caught in them.

Finally having the head torch so I can do these wild and wacky things in the dark.

 

[hopscotch bandit]

Part-time working! The best thing I ever did. Sister and I work opposite ends of the week (different jobs) so there is usually one of us available to do horses/stables during daylight hours and the one who has been at work just needs to help bring in and then spend the evening relaxing.

Ooh I am envious.

 

[L&B]

Part-time working!

You've no idea how jealous I am!!! I work 9 - 4.45 with a 45minute commute either end. Brilliant in summer. Works a treat. Winter, not so much. I'd love to finish earlier on a couple of days. Or even a day off midweek. How does your pattern work? (curious)...

I don't find the actual care of the horse that hard. Its the mud and weather I don't like!
I don't work weds, sat or sun and I pay some one to turn out and bring in on those days so I can go down whenever the weather is nicest!

Amen to this!!!!! I don't find the care of horses a grind at all... Like yourself I hate the dark, rain & the mud. I don't even mind the crisp cold days. At least it means that it's bright! I also have diagnosed Seasonal Depression so the darkness is really not good for me!
Midweek off is a dream - is that something you've swindled? Or just your usual working rota?

Have just had word that ours have to come in overnight from the weekend, a full 3 weeks earlier than usual. Gah, I'm not a happy bunny. Arch got quite stiff towards the end of last winter. He's had his coffin joint injected so I'm hoping he'll be better this year but if not, there's a horrible decision ahead.

Ahh man. I shouldn't complain really as I at least don't have this to think about... My girls don't mind being in and aren't affected by it. Sorry to read your boy struggles

Part livery. It may seem like a cop out to some, but I have done years of DIY in all weather, and frankly got sick of it.

Not a cop out to me my dear! If I had the money, there's a lovely little Part/full livery down the road from me... With indoor & outdoor schools. I'd be there!!

 

[Fransurrey]

Keep hay stocks up. Waterproof gloves (plus nitrile large size to go over fleecy gloves for when more feel is required). Wash and waterproof coats before bad weather hits. Waterproof trousers live on insulated wellies from now, to keep work clothes clean during morning visits. Spare coat in car, waterproof hat (sealskinz) and a coat with a hood that can be pulled over the hat in nasty weather, to keep neck warm and dry! Decent lip balm or vaseline (for face as well as lips in sub zero). Stock of ovaltine in the tea room was a life saver last year, so I'm doing that again, this year. A decent travel mug is a must, too, so I can make a hot drink after a morning visit and drink it on the way to work. Oh and a decent head torch, water containers for when pipes freeze and a hammer for trough.

 

[bubsqueaks]

Ive also just stopped soaking hay as weights okay for going into winter & saves time & bother of chore of filling, getting wet etc.
Also have just bought a hay grazer play to hang up to keep them longer entertained & slow down feeding.
I think I must have nearly every contraption made to slow down piggy natives - most Ive sourced secondhand but nice to have a variety for field & stable.

 

[pixie]

hibernate until May

 

[Leo Walker]

Amen to this!!!!! I don't find the care of horses a grind at all... Like yourself I hate the dark, rain & the mud. I don't even mind the crisp cold days. At least it means that it's bright! I also have diagnosed Seasonal Depression so the darkness is really not good for me!
Midweek off is a dream - is that something you've swindled? Or just your usual working rota?

Flexible working! I do compressed hourse, so 35 hours over 4 days instead of 5, 6.30/7ish until 3.30/4. I usually work from home one day a week as well. It makes a huge difference!