Who's riding out in the snow??

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stroppy

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I'm desperate to hack out round our fields in this snow even if i end up being sent flying by either the old git or the youngster, our yard manager has banned turnout for the time being and both the school and lunge pen are frozen solid, so who's braved it??
 
Only been riding in the field as unsure of rabbit holes on hacking routes (big problem round here) and cant go on the setaside now as it was ploughed just before it snowed and no way do I trust drivers on the roads, if mine were stabled and hadnt been out I wouldnt be brave enought to get on lol !
 
I finally went for a nice slow hack the other day. My guy dug in a toe a few times, he really wanted to go but we just walked. Once I got going, had my electric gloves at the right temp and my chaps situated just right I was fine.

Once I got away from where cars had been making snow into ice, the footing was not bad. It's really pretty outside, but I think I'm getting wimpier as I get older.
 
I have. My horse is unshod and we can ride straight on to parkland. Had some lovely rides and we ride round there all the time, so I am fairly au fait with any major ruts/holes. I feel really lucky as I know lots of other peoples horses are losing their fitness etc. It was the same last year too.
 
I have done in previous years but I'm not this time round. I've got big hopes for next season and I don't want to take the risk of him twisting something or pulling something on the rutty, frozen ground.
 
I have been riding my lad around the orchard next to his field, I know it well so can stick to flat bits and avoid any ruts! Today I did circuits in canter around a four acre patch, it was so fun!

Here's a piccy from the weekend....

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Santa litle helper- lovey photos!! Ive been riding out luckly theres plenty to ride round the farm. Didnt manger to take any photos. Love having a good canter in it!!
 
I have a ridiculous amount of off road hacking but I'm just not brave enough... how do you stop the feet getting packed with snow? I know you can use oil etc but surely that wont last long? Also I keep getting "The horse whisperer" visions even though there is no way in hell I could come across a lorry lol :rolleyes:
 
Caz89 said:
I have a ridiculous amount of off road hacking but I'm just not brave enough... how do you stop the feet getting packed with snow? I know you can use oil etc but surely that wont last long? Also I keep getting "The horse whisperer" visions even though there is no way in hell I could come across a lorry lol :rolleyes:
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Don't pick feet out till after riding. Mine in egg bar shoe's too which is a bit harder luckly they just fall out after a bit!! Theres only a couple of us riding out. Stay on the fresh part of snow and of coz go where you know theres no holes etc. We had a fab canter going up a hill so wished I had a hat vidoe thing ?? to tape it. Both horse loved it!! Give it a go!! Have fun!!
 
I did get some photos of our fun!
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this is Murphy, he is 9 and a bit of a grump but loads of fun. A real jumping/hunting/riding club horse and at 15.hh he is small enough to boss.
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No chance!! My chap is a big lad and if he slips and falls, he's really going to hurt himself. Not a big fan of riding out in snow and ice, sorry! But be safe all :)
 
I wouldn't dream of it. I've got one mare recovering from tendons injured last year (not quite sure when/how she did them), I don't want to go through that again thank you!

I have direct access onto the forest once I'm out of the yard gate. There is no way on earth I can tell what is under the snow - frozen poached ground, rabbit holes, tree roots... And the gravel tracks are lethal. The puddles are all ice of course, I can't tell in advance whether it will break under the weight of the pony or if he will slip on it. So, just out in the field for him at the moment.

The roads are just about OK now for him to go round them safely. Trouble is that's not going to be much good for him, he has been in training for the Boxing Day point to point, although its almost a foregone conclusion that won't be going ahead. Not that I am keen on him running when he will have had a week off tomorrow... :(
 
I would never risk my horse by riding in the snow.
Our school hasn't frozen like most others in the area and a circle has been dug out so we can lunge and thats as far as i'll go.
As far as i'm concerned its not worth the risk.
 
The roads are pretty much clear where I am, so we managed a 2 mile circuit around the block this afternoon. I didn't go 'off road' because there is still snow in the fields and orchards and my mare suffers from ice-balls big time.

After the last bout of snow she hacked out nicely inspite of a 2 week break, this time she was a little more spooky. Hoping to take her on the same circuit again tomorrow and see if she is a bit calmer.

Looking forward to the thaw :D
 
I rode in the school today :D It has been rideable for a couple of days now. Hurrah. Still has a light dusting of snow but the rubber is defrosted enough to have a canter and everything.
 
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