Who isn't going to ride over the winter?

my mare has most of the winter off now as I am at uni.

I come back on odd weekends and will ride out to keep her interested and try and ride over xmas holidays (1 month) snow permitting. As last xmas hols I could only ride twice due to the weather!!

She then starts going back into work around easter and is lunged if I am not around so shes getting fitter for when I fully return and then we can start properly fitness work ready for outdoor sj season!
 
Historically I have always ridden throughout the winter at least 4 times a week as I have a youngster, but I'm thinking this year it might be a good idea to give him a 6 week holiday, maybe mid-December to the end of Jan as he has worked pretty had this year. Then bring him back out to get him fit enough for the first events at the end of March.

Might have to move the dates around if the snow and Ice come early but I could do with the break too and his feet would probably benefit from a short period without shoes and my knees would probably be greatful for the break in the colder months! I'm lucky to have all day turnout all year round though :D
 
I had no idea so many horses & riders had time off in the winter.. don't tell my two.. they'll be jelous!! It's the same all year round for us..
 
Supertrooper said:
At the end of this month we are having the shoes taken off the horses and they won't be ridden till march or april. One we don't have enough time to ride once it gets darker and also this year we're going to leave them out as much as possible so to save the field shoes will be coming off.

What will you do?
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I generally do the same, its good to give mine a break as they compete the rest of the year. I just keep going until it gets too dark to ride after work (Oct/Nov) as I dont have a school to ride in so the ground gets too bad anyway and I dont have lights. Then horse is turned away until about February. Mine comes back so nice and fresh after this so it works really well.
 
The nag will go on his holidays in Oct until Feb most likely. A little break does them no harm, and I will be pretty busy with work so it is mutually beneficial. Also, if we have a winter like last year I will be happier knowing he is out and moving about in the field, instead of standing in the box unable to get out as the yard is skating rink.
 
my horse has been pretty much turned away the last few winters due to no school ...
but going back to livery soon so can ride on my days off college and mum will lunge her on one of my three college days.

though to be honest her 'turning away' periods have been September to April/March time! Sometimes even later.
So this year she'll probably have October through to late January off then I'll clip off the yak coat she grows :D
 
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