Winter blues. Already?! (Lighthearted)

[Ceifer]

Anybody else got the winter blues and it’s only December?

I love my horses to bits but I’m still clearing the damage from the weekend storm.
The companion pony has discovered he can get through the electric fence because I made the mistake of feeling sorry for him and putting a rug on him despite the fact I know he’s fat and furry But now he’s impervious to the electric he caused a mass breakout over night, destroying several posts.
The weather is pants and I’m back doing slow rehab work on one horse.
I went to fork back the muck heap as haven’t done it since the weekend. Made the mistake of stepping off the ramp and sinking straight down above boot level with one foot and getting stuck. Gave up and squelched back to the yard.
Oh and I’ve worn a hole in my favourite breeches, right in the crotch.

oh and I really need to clip two but cba

tiny violins welcome

 

[tda]

I'm trying to stay positive, only 3 weeks til the shortest day ?

 

[milliepops]

yep another winter with only chores and nothing to ride :/

 

[Ceifer]

I'm trying to stay positive, only 3 weeks til the shortest day ?

Counting down the days!
I know really I shouldn’t be moaning. It’s not been that bad weather wise….. yet …..

 

[southerncomfort]

I've got a sore back, an injured neck and dizzy spells from being blown over in a gale. Haven't ridden for around 10 days or so. So yeah, feeling a bit fed up.

On the plus side, now we've had snow and frosts my natives are much safer out at grass so I can start leaving them out for longer!

 

[Snow Falcon]

I saw my ponies briefly trying to feed them monday as friend was unable to do so. Other than that I haven't be able to do anything since sunday last week. Got an alterative virus to covid and been in bed. So fed up.

 

[equestrian7474]

Definitely getting those winter blues - trying to stay positive!

 

[windand rain]

It seems to get lighter at night far quicker after Christmas I have had my SAD light on for a couple of months

 

[GreyDot]

I'm trying to stay positive, only 3 weeks til the shortest day ?

I've decided I must be a druid as I get more excited about the Winter Solstice than Christmas Day

Haven't ridden since Sunday and I have a hole in my wellies. On the plus side, my winter coat is holding up really well!

 

[MuddyMonster]

I've really surprised myself, as I usually really struggle with winter but so far it's not felt too awful.

Maybe last winter was just so bad for me, anything was going to better?!

Big hugs to anyone struggling though ? 20 days until Winter Solstice ...

 

[Tarragon]

I am doing ok. The weather in November was mostly lovely and for the first time in years I haven't got a pony that I can ride, but I have a new lightly handled and unbacked pony that I am starting, so fitting in a short session (adapted to suit the weather conditions) every morning is perfect.

 

[sherry90]

I feel like we were really thrown into winter over the weekend after a really dry and lovely autumn ? so that’s making it so much worse for me.

As I peer from my home office window to see the rain pouring down today after the snow only just melting from the weekend I do feel a bit deflated! Ugh! Roll on spring ?

 

[Bernster]

Got too hot riding last night! The cold spell didn’t seem to last long but I’ve dug out warmer rugs, ordered fleece lined breeches and put on an extra layer yesterday. Sweating ?

 

[Antw23uk]

I'm doing OK considering one horse thinks I'm trying to kill him and I cant catch him. I do take all pressure off myself to ride in the winter anyway but the fact the weather has been so kind it's been a breeze so far.

Positives:

• I've just turned out into winter grazing so reduced feeds because they just arent that interested in eating what i am offering!
• It's December and i can still poo pick without losing the wheelbarrow in the mud.
• They are using the new mud control mats in front of the shelter
• Mud is minimal
• My big grey let me approach him and pat him this morning!
• The new baby OTTB is a cuddle monster and I love him although deep down i think he will be too fine for me in a year or two!
• I've decided not to stable but keep the yard and stables open unless its horrendous and then i will pen them on the yard for a day or two if i have to!

Negatives:

• I see them in the dark morning and night, Mon-Friday
• I need to clip the one who thinks I'm currently trying to kill him and he's rubbish to clip at the best of times
• Rugging/ not rugging the baby is a pain as i want him roughed off but at the same time his winter coat is rather rubbish!

Overall im good. Ask me again in January, lol!

 

[NinjaPony]

Yup. Second winter without my much missed ridden pony, just looking after my retired pony. Mucking out in the dark is depressing, soaking hay is hard work in the cold and the relentless routine gets tedious in the dark evenings. That said, I’m grateful to have my little one to get me out the house.

 

[Peglo]

I’m a bit stressed as T is fat but haven’t been able to ride her much with weather and no safe hacking in the dark here. But OH has been helping me morning mucking out and night time bring in so I shouldn’t complain ?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm feeling a bit can't be bothered at the moment one is on 6 weeks box rest with a fractured pedal bone, not looking forward to having one permanently in all over Christmas I normally open my rested little field then so I can have a few weeks of less chores so won't be doing that.

I have got one to ride but just not feeling it at the moment I just need to give myself a kick up the butt ?

 

[HuskyFluff]

yep another winter with only chores and nothing to ride :/

Me too I'm having the odd riding school lesson just to keep my hand in.

I've booked 2 weeks off work - 13th to 27th Dec. Nothing at all to do with Christmas (bah humbug) and everything to do with it giving me approx a week off around the shortest day. I know it won't make much material difference in terms of available light and fitting the horses around work, but it makes me feel a bit better!

 

[Birker2020]

I'm trying to stay positive, only 3 weeks til the shortest day ?

Ha -that's how I'm looking at it. And to be fair we've had amazing weather compared with a couple of years ago when we had rain non stop for 3 months.

 

[tda]

Yes I must admit it has been fairly dry up to now

 

[Birker2020]

Yes I must admit it has been fairly dry up to now

Yep and mild. Anything over 5C in the day encourages grass growth.

 

[LegOn]

Horses aside but I am finding it much easier working from home cause I'm getting to walk my dog at lunchtime, in the daylight and its really making all the difference! Normally I would be struggling alot at this stage arriving to the office in the dark and leaving in the dark

My yard is great with lots of turnout, he is on the walker in the mornings & we have great facilities so not feeling too guilty about missing a few nights here & there - this week hasnt been too productive but have a lesson on Sat so going to get back in gear tonight!

 

[bouncing_ball]

My horse was off most of August to start October. And I’ve just about done the rehabilitation and got him fit again. We’ve mostly had dry weather. I’m enjoying riding.

 

[GinaGeo]

I’m feeling it.

I got covid. Ended up spending about 10 days inside. Have managed to get on a horse once since. But that was exhausting.

I’m still feeling shattered.

I’ve booked two weeks off around Christmas. Mostly to give me time to get the horses seen to in daylight.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I just hate the cold and the rain is not helping.

 

[Caol Ila]

I always get SAD at this time of year. I sort of miss lockdown. Is that f*cked up? The government was telling me I should hibernate in November/December last year, which was living the dream. That's all I ever want to do at this time of year.

The wind was bitter today. Like ice smacking you in the face. I'd foolishly not worn full winter mountaineering regalia to the barn, and I sat on my horse repeating, "This is a fun sport. I do this for fun." I wish I was as fluffy as the Highland pony.

 

[ycbm]

Positive.

They've only been shut in at night a week and that's 6 weeks later than the latest ever before, so this winter is going to be short.

Negatives.

We've been snowed in already, that's also a record for the shortest time after beginning to lock them up at night.

I was curssing and swearing last night as I made a mental note to get up earlier when I'm opening a new bale and have to clear racks of the last of the old one and never leave it until after dark on an freezing cold night. My fingers were killing me with the cold!
.

 

[Sprat]

Oh I hate it. I hate the cold, the wind, the rain and the dark nights. As someone said above, at least the countdown is on until lighter nights though I suspect it won't feel like it comes quickly.

For those struggling with the cold, I picked up some fur lined leggings from Sainsburys earlier in the week which so far seem to be helping. I've managed to ride without hating every single minute of it as I'm so cold so worth mentioning.

 

[teddy_]

Yup, I feel ya.

After letting my young ex-racehorse's fitness down slowly, it's now time to turn him away for a few months. Which means, two winters in a row with no horse of my own to ride yet, the bills keep coming! What possessed me to buy a three year old ??

Hey ho, it's all character building stuff.

 

[JGC]

We have 1 m of snow, so the toughest part of winter has started! But I always feel better once the shortest day is passed. Mine's mainly on light walk work in winter, so she'll have as many days off as the weather requires. She's out every day in a small herd with hay, so she's usually pretty miffed when I turn up during the day I am giving myself permission to hibernate!