Winter advice from Canada

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britt1963

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Hi all sorry to hear about the bad weather just to let you know your horses will survive
I live in ottawa Canada so we are used to the cold.
Couple of tips
1 Layer your horses blankets
2 your horses will be fine outside, we usually leave our horses out 24 hours, we bring in when temp drops below -20 yes that is MINUS 2O, We will bring in if a high wind, but we do have an outsie group that stay out 24X7, they will go hide in there shelter if they are cold, but they usually stand out in the middle of the field (never said they were smart
3 increase the hay they get will help to keep them warm
4 we are lucky as water is heated so dont have to worry about frozen water, but undetstand your pain of carry buckets done it at MINUS 30 before.
5 HAVE FUN AND RIDE IN IT, THE BEST WORK OUT FOR YOUR HORSES IN DEEP SNOW
6 TIPS FOR YOU layer your clothes, have extra gloves for when yours get wet
 
Personally my problem isn't the actual cold, or the snow, but the frozen ground. We had minus temps for about a week = hard ground. Then one night had torrential rain, obviously on top of said frozen ground. This then froze, so we have fields which are like an ice rink with the odd tuft of grass
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I have two natives, a cob and a welshie, but they have been in for almost three weeks now as I just can't risk letting them out when it is so icy. Thanks for your advice, wish we had heated water troughs!! We're on a dairy farm and OH and FIL spend most of the day when not milking defrosting pipes and trying to get water to the cattle (all housed but still frozen!!)
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We go through that usually in november, most of guys are barefoot, we turnout maybe not as long, they are smart enough they dont usaually run to much then Our worst nightmare is freezing rain, they will stay in then and the outside group will hide in the shed,,, I feel for you frozen water is no fun its probably the worst and most frustating thing,, Good luck we know here we will have snow until aleast march... ah spring ....
 
Both of mine are barefoot at the moment too. OH worked in Ontario for a year so he knows all about the canada temps!! Although he always says its a different type of cold
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Its drier than we have here and doesn't feel so cold
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Hopefully our temps will rise soon
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We dont have a heated arena, we only got our arena 2 years agp,, we ride most of the time, if temp dips below -20 we usually dont ride, the one thing to be careful of is the horses getting hot when being worked, its important that they are cooled down really well
 
I will say, Snap Dragon, the climate, despite the evidence this week, is quite different here. This snow comes on the back of the more usual winter rain so the ground was soaked through before it froze and in many places it's almost thawed a couple of times so the real issue is ice. In the Midlands and North, some of the hardest hit areas are used to some snow so they're a bit more prepared, it's just the amount that's shocked everyone!

Also, so many of the things we take for granted in Canada are simply not available, or at least not easily found.

Snowball pads and borium are almost unheard of. Many people do most of their riding in fields and HAVE to hack on well travelled roads to get anywhere - almost unheard of now in Canada - which are now covered in sheet ice. Shows continue here year 'round so people are not used to taking shoes off in the winter as a matter of course. Also, because of the road hacking, the commonly used school surfaces, and the fact that the ground is often semi frozen for a few days in the winter but rarely has any significant snow cover, taking shoes off can be a problem in itself.

Very few people have snow tires, no one has the big truck and trailer combinations we're used to, which cope much better with winter driving.

No one uses calcium on their footing so everything is frozen (dust is really not a problem here and the method dust control they do use is much more limited by environmental controls).

No one has gravity taps because there isn't really a frost line, most people do not have heat tapes or insulated or even covered plumbing.

A lot of the stables are shedrow - stalls are open to outside - rather than barn and the barns that do exist are not enclosed like ones in North America. Many don't even have full doors, let alone any type of insulation. Bank barns don't seem to exist.

Also, it's much trickier to build the sort of shelters we have, at least in populated areas because of much stricter planning permission so lots of horses don't have the sort of cover outside we would consider standard.

And arenas certainly exist but are not anything like as common - most yards, even high end competition ones, do not have covered riding space at all - and certainly not as well appointed by and large.

Sorry, I'm not taking a poke and I know you're trying to help but so many people here seem to think it's some sort of conspiracy that this country is not better set up for this weather. Why would it be? This is so unusual. Canadians spend millions on winter infrastructure and the horse industry is organised differently in part because of the weather extremes. You adapt to your environment - it's only a problem with the environment goes awol! I just feel very sorry for people who seem to think they should somehow be coping better because other people in other parts of the world are used to their own situations.

Oh, and FB . . . stay tuned for proof!
 
You've hit the nail on the head there tarrSteps, no we are not prepared for this, but why should we be? According to the news we've not had a Winter as hard as this since the 1960s!
 
Thanks snapdragon. This is what I find funny - so many people on this forum start asking "can I turn out my horse in this weather?", "how many rugs?", "how are you all coping" etc. as if they think their horses will literally freeze to death. Even though we've had down to -22 in my area, horses see MUCH worse than that in other countries (such as Canada I bet).

I've found even in this "extreme" (for the UK) cold, my horses are still perfectly happy in one HW turnout rug, I dont layer as I dont need to. I find mine get far colder in wet and windy conditions, not just dry cold.

Don't believe this is our hardest winter for 50 years by any means, I remember when I was young (only about 20 years ago) the snow used to be so deep it would cover our car completely with only an aerial sticking out! Dont get snow like that anymore.
 
Snap Dragon I used to live in Canada in 1998 just outside Ottawa and I never imagined it so cold, my exhusband was a huntsman and I did the horses, through the winter I had back shoes took off kept them shod in front but with snow pads on. I just thought I would wear an extra jumper!! But not the wind chill just went straight through my Musto and jeans, so bought myself quilted trousers, feather filled coat and boots guaranteed to -20. Yes I was toasty!!
I actually liked the Canadian winter once I got used to it as although very cold its always bright sun shine so never depressing grey days like England.
FreudoBuetin they do have heated indoor arenas in Canada, my friend had a large livery/riding school barn and they had heating in the indoor arena.
 
Tarr Steps is right, our problem stems from this being UNUSUAL weather, so we aren't set up for it, however, ice is much much more of a problem than the snow or the cold. The ice is just lethal. We now don't have enough grit either to help keep it at bay.

We have a fantastic yard, with two outdoor arenas, usually perfectly adequate, but now means we are reduced to riding in the non icy field or out on private tracks - without either of those I wouldn't be riding at all as I won't go on the roads.

My stables are also outside!!! Here is a pic from last winter, showing how open they are and how close the snow gets to them

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Ah snowball pads - yes that would make sense to stop the ice balling up

In the meantime is there any solution for the shod deep clefted foot? I am using petroleum jelly which does help the balls come out. I have also tried plasticine today, which did stay in all day!
 
Yes, the problem is that is is 'unusual' weather (or as my OH calls it - a 'Real' winter) for us. People don't know how to cope with it because they've probably not had the opportunity to learn.
eg. It bugs me when you hear moans about 'idiots' who don't know how to drive in snow/ice. The idiots are the ones who drive too fast deliberately- the rest just don't know how a car reacts to braking/speed changes and are having to learn very quickly.

Same with horse care - we're learning quickly, and from each other.
 
The wet weather is face worse, we always bring ours in when it is wet and cold, I am originally from the UK so understand everyone’s pain and frustration, The first winter i was in Canada i was ready to go home but now would not swap it for the world,, we are lucky as we do have the infrastructure to support us but there are still some days you would love the warm weather but i will still take SNOW over MUD TODAY MINUS 27 WIND CHILL my daughters turn to work at the barn LOL
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Not a Canadian, but New Englander
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but I can totally relate to the winters being worse in Massachusetts than here. But will agree that we cope better in climes where we EXPECT winter snow, deep freeze etc. Never used rugs on my horses that were turned out 24/7 - also pulled shoes when the snow started to fly (or used borium and snow ball pads as mentioned before). Here we just never expected to have to cope with weeks of snow.

To be fair, I can understand the worry of whether or not the horses will cope. Yes, they will, but unless the horses were imported from a snowy place, they will find it hard to adjust too. For example, my ageing little dog that I brought over from Mass 8 years ago seems unsure of what to do with the white stuff, despite having lived half her life in New England.

I prefer the snow to the ice and I prefer it definitely to MUD. But trust me the mud is going to follow....I would much rather ride in the snow than icy or muddy ground.

On another note - a friend who posted elsewhere pictures of her working her horse in 2' fluffy snow got lots of comments from folk who thought she was crazy and that it was mad to ride in that kind of snow. Hm, must dig out some videos of me getting a lesson in a cornfield in packed snow...no indoor arena there! And certainly no heating! Not even a heated tack room!
 
Another one here who that thinks Canadian snow (well here in Saskatchewan anyway) is way better than English snow. Ours is like powder, you can't make snowmen though
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and if you try and make a snow ball it just falls apart. Which makes driving easier as the roads stay clear because it just gets blown into the ditches on either side. Unlike UK which is wet and goes into a slushy mess. Another thing is hills we don't have any so no getting stuck.

You put heating elements in water troughs and you can even buy huge big buckets with it already built in so you just plug them in. Feel for you poor guys having to haul water, that isn't fun.

But I don't have access to the heated indoor arena
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they are around but not here. I'm in a part where the old farmers still think it's OK for horses to go out and fend for themselves and eat snow if they are thirsty
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Don't worry it will be gone soon enough, I have to wait until April or May if last year is anything to go by!
 
Livingsky,

Hi,

I've been enquiring about sourcing heating elements (de-icers) and heated water buckets in the UK for friends, from the replies I have had from Farm Suppliers and catalogue companies (mainly the big names) they don't believe that there is a call for them, therefore don't stock them!

More fool them, they would have sold out this year!

I would be demented if I had to break ice for horses all the time, even my dogs, goat and rabbits have heated water bowls!
 
I am so going to bring back an extra suitcase full of heated buckets, boot grips and snowball pads when I'm next home. I wonder if I can pack in a proper snow shovel from Canadian Tire.

Of course, that will mean it never snows here again . . .
 
Hi Enfys and Tarrsteps,

I know what you mean my sister is back in the UK and has been telling me all about it.

Would the buckets and elements work over there though with the different voltage?

Tarrsteps do you miss Canadian tire is there anything else you miss, I always hear what the British Expats miss i.e chocolate, baked beans, cheese!!! But what do you find different??
 
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Hi Enfys and Tarrsteps,

I know what you mean my sister is back in the UK and has been telling me all about it. <font color="red"> I had a very smug email from my brother yesterday (he's in Southampton) saying that he was now in Zimbabwe working for three weeks and it isn't cold there! On the other hand his work with Save the Children isn't always much fun</font>

Would the buckets and elements work over there though with the different voltage? <font color="red"> Hubby and I were discussing this, the wiring would have to be adapted for the voltage - but even so. Surely some enterprising British bod could figure it out though, even in a normal winter there'd be a market for them, especially in the colder regions </font>

Tarrsteps do you miss Canadian tire is there anything else you miss, I always hear what the British Expats miss i.e chocolate, baked beans, cheese!!! But what do you find different?? <font color="red"> Livingsky, you can't get real baked beans?! Our tiny local Foodland, of all places, stock them, most surprised. Cheese, pah, don't start me on the availability of decent affordable cheese, mind, revolting, tasteless. plastic cheese means I eat less to none and that's got to be good for the old cholesterol count, ditto chocolate!</font>

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<font color="red"> Livingsky, you can't get real baked beans?! Our tiny local Foodland, of all places, stock them, most surprised. Cheese, pah, don't start me on the availability of decent affordable cheese, mind, revolting, tasteless. plastic cheese means I eat less to none and that's got to be good for the old cholesterol count, ditto chocolate!</font>

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Have baked beans but don't taste the same, not at all like the Heinz baked beans in UK, we don't get foodland. LOL sod the cholesterol count I went down 2 dress sizes last year when we first bought our acreage
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Currently waiting patiently for food package from big sis containing Galaxy chocolate and cheese and onion crisps, am I making your mouth now
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oops going slightly off topic
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I cannot believe that I have just gone to the cupboard and dug out a tin of beans, but I have, the ones that taste most like the Heinz ones are made by Clarks.

I recently found an International foodshop (read expensive, but what the hell eh?) in Hamilton which is only about 45 minutes from us, not only can I get a lot of british stuff there, including cheese and onion crisps, but Lidl stuff too...oh how I missed their marzipan sticks! OH was thrilled to discover they had Melton Mowbray pork pies which he hadn't had for years, and then furious to find that Zehrs not 20 miles away sells them too!

I am watching the snow fall and have come to the conclusion that a Canadian centimetre is like the country itself, bigger than you think! Forecast for 1cm of snow today according to my weather guru (Farmzone), we've had 3" so far today, and, dammit, I am going to have to go out there and re-plough tracks again!

I'd struggle without my heated water buckets AND my trusty quad, trailer and plough!
 
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I love this thread! Our whole yard thinks I'm mad for enjoying the rides in the snow!

I have to say I agree the wet is far worse. I'd rather have consistent cold with powder snow, than this eternal freeze-melt-freeze-melt-freeze routine that is turning my pony into Bambi!

I do miss a few things: hot hot sunny summers, the "Sauvagine" cheese from Quebec, Riesling from Ontario, Montreal fashion designers, and, oddly enough, maple baked beans, even though I probably had them about once a year while in Canada.
 
I miss Cheezies!!!! (Bet you folks have never even been tempted to try them but they're hi viz so you might like them.
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)

And proper jelly beans, SweetTarts, roasted garlic flavour chips, and any candy with cinnamon in it.
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Oh, and Loblaws, particularly the enormous "one stop shopping" ones. And giant vegetables and Mexican food. I'm starting to get sad now . . .

I miss Canadian Tire, Mark's WorkWear House, and, most off all, DRIVE IN COFFEE SHOPS!!! What's wrong with you people? Why is there no Tim Horton's or Country Style here?!?!?!?

On the upside, I don't really miss shovelling. Or frostbite. Or my heating bill. (Although I miss R2000 insulation.) Or 30+C summer days, although we had a few of those here last summer, too. And the Giant Spotted Canadian Horse likes year 'round grass, although he's not keen on the mud.
 
Enfys - Cheers next time I'm shopping I will look for some, haven't had baked beans on toast for ages yum!
We don't have a tractor but our lovely neighbour comes and puts the round bales in once a week for us and pushes the snow off the drive and yard if we have a big dump, this was our mountain last year which doubled as the kids sledging hill
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Spooky pony - The summers are wonderful, again it's a nice dry heat except when you have a big storm roll in (that was an experience having red warning messages flashing on your TV screen to warn you possible tornado activity
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) but they were quickly over before you knew it.

Down side is bloody mozzies and wood ticks! OMG do you guys get/got them. Have to spend ages each day picking them off each horse/dog/kid and us.

Tarrsteps - Mmmmmmmmmm Cheezies!!!! Also like Sweet chilli chips by Lays. Also all the salad condiments so many dressings I can never choose
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Marks Workwear house is great I always go there.

I'm not missing too much except a decent vet, I was spoilt in UK as I used Willesley Nr Tetbury Glos. The vet here (I live in a very out of the way place) is ok but isn't a horse vet and to be honest I really don't trust him. Also would love another New Forest pony but can't afford the prices they go for over here
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You've hit the nail on the head there tarrSteps, no we are not prepared for this, but why should we be? According to the news we've not had a Winter as hard as this since the 1960s!

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Mmm - January 1982 was nearly as bad - although didn't last quite as long. I was running a riding school in the Midlands at the time and we were frozen - and snowed in. JCB was meant to be clearing the drive - the diesel froze and it got stuck!

I got married in the middle of the worst of it - last minute change of Church as the one we were MEANT to be at was completely snowed in!
 
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