Winter is Coming!!! (For prepping squirrels)

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

After two years of wet wet wet hoping like everyone for a dry crisp one.

Need to stable coat two field shelters before it is too wet, order a pallet of mud control mats for one gateway, around water trough and to act as platform to put hayledge on, order hayledge and bedding. Most of this I'll do at Burghley.

Horses are now out 24/7 and have been since we moved, except tiny precious Nev the Shetland, who has made her preference for being an inside at night pony very clear. Hopefully the others will stay out all winter if possible.

Need to sort some fencing out too and DSW needs to top lower field asap to give it time to recover before winter. All in all though, after years of having ponies squashed on 2.5 acres and in all day everyday, and having to plan getting deliveries before the ground is too muddy, it's really nice to have lots of storage and solid paths meaning it's not so urgent to get everything sorted by end of September.

Now all I need is two functioning legs to start being able to get on with stuff

 

[GypsGal1718]

All our hay is in, stables are cleaned ready for new bedding. Horses currently out 24/7 which is wonderful!
Not sure what my plan is for winter turnout this year. I am at a new yard. Last yard was really wet. My 2 were out for around 6 hours a day. Both got bad mud fever and one suffered with soft feet. Thinking this year I might reduce hours out to 2/3 then lunge, walk them round in school in the evenings. An hour a day out would suit them both as neither like being out when it's wet and windy. I'm hoping for a cold dry winter!

Just a suggestion but maybe try somewhere else with less mud and shelters to see if they prefer it as 20hr stabling can bring issues, just an idea!

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Stables are installed in the long barn, all tailor made to fit the wobbly walls. I’m hoping I’m barely going to use them though as I prefer them to live out and now with a new property with more land I hope this will be possible. Gateways all prepped this week although I’ve having a low level panic about the amount of earth that’s been exposed to get the hard standing in. I’ve got huge road plainning areas around 3 gates but the digger has made areas around them that will just be mud. You win some, you lose some!!! The following winter will be even better when I’ve overseeded around the edges.
Hay and straw not in yet as not sure where to keep it but I do have a supplier all lined up. The two winter fields have been rested since May and will come into action in October and the other in January.

 

[ecb89]

I’ve prepared by moving from assisted diy to 5 day ?

Quoting myself. A couple of months ago I moved from 5 day full livery to pure DIY

 

[Dave's Mam]

Dave had a little bib clip yesterday, he's so woolly already.

 

[MarvelVillis]

My friend had an Equidry when pregnant and its fine now the baby is born. Was also handy over baby in a sling so I'd say that's a good investment.
Congratulations!



Edited to say Ive just realised this isn't a new thread and you probably are no longer pregnant

Haha my daughter is 18 months now, thank you though!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Haha my daughter is 18 months now, thank you though!

Bet she still fits under your Equidry!

 

[Jenko109]

I don't mind winter now that I don't really have a horse to look after. Only the two unridden ones who live out 24/7 who got through last winter having only had about three standard sized bales of hay.

I prefer dog walking in the winter I think. Less people around and my sighthounds look so lovely in their coats. And their jammies when they get home until they warm back up

Then there is the sound of heavy rain on the windows when you're all snug and warm in bed.

Candles. I love a good scented candle in the winter.

Woolly jumpers.

Mugs of hot chocolate.

I may borrow a pony for the odd crisp, dry hack. Nothing beats riding something fit and on his toes in the winter.

Hot water bottles and heated blankets.

Starbucks Egg Nog latte over the Christmas period.

Mulled wine.

Cheese board.

I love winter walks along the river. Especially if it's been raining loads and they have overflowed.

 

[Fransurrey]

I daren't say it, but I think I'm prepared (or at least in control)! I bought an extra changing robe for swimming earlier this year, which means I now have a lovely warm robe for winter rides (half the price of Equidry - Gorilla Robes if anyone is interested). I've washed all of my mare's rugs (although I feel a bit sick that she probably won't get to wear them, it does mean they're ready to sell/donate). My boy's liner has been washed and he hardly wore his unlined, but I have the wash and reproofer ready. I have hay sorted, feed is negligible, but I have a bag in lieu and I work near the feed store so I enjoy horsey shopping on lunch breaks! I do need to better sort my gutter on the shelter, especially if I end up buying another horse (which means staying put in that field at least for this winter), but that's for YO to arrange, really. I've even got bird seed sorted for the little tweeters that visit my shelter.

The house of course will remain a bombsite for the foreseeable. Having three cats, now, at least means the corners will get dusted.

 

[TPO]

I can't cope with the wet. It rained constantly the previous two winters.

It barely feels like we've had a summer. The fly sheets have had minimal use and the rain sheets are out. I even contemplated a 50g the other day.

They've had a few nights in when it's been heavy rain, including last night and probably again tonight.

The rain was so bad through spring that the planned ploughing and reseeding of half the fields didn't happen. The long forecast is bad so might not get it done this year at all. No point seeding for it to get washed away.

Winter planning for hard standing is in full motion. Putting down hard standing so they'll go out on that instead of trashing the fields. I've already got a few hundred mudslabs and am planning on another big pallet. I've bought a haybell so they can get round bales out on the hard standing.

The guy who's doing the hard standing was out today and he's come with a plan how to make a shelter off the back of thr big shed (stables are in the shed) with a windbreaker.

Got some hay in and a supplier for more. Starting to stock pile bedding. Feed is bought as needed due to safe storage.

Rugs have all been inspected and are ready to go.

Can't think what else to do.

I really hope it's a cold but dry winter. This rain is unreal. The crops around have really suffered.

 

[southerncomfort]

Bo has had a rain sheet on the last couple of nights. Not particularly cold, but it's been wet and very windy. He hates getting wet at the best of times, but I went mad and clipped him out when we had that hot week.

 

[TPO]

I quite like it when it's miserable outside and the horses are in with deep beds and munching on hay. I'm soft and like them all cosy in bad weather.

That's fine in October, even the odd end of September night but not flipping mid August!! I've been glad of the haysteamer to dry my jacket on in-between trips to the muckheap.

The rain has been relentless today and there's a wind too. The field is flooded at the gate and badly poached where they've been hugging the hedge. The amount of rainfall is unreal.

Needless to say they are in tonight. They were out naked so the rug drier is on for the soaking towels. Rainsheets will definitely be on tomorrow morning.

Flipping climate change!!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I quite like it when it's miserable outside and the horses are in with deep beds and munching on hay. I'm soft and like them all cosy in bad weather.

That's fine in October, even the odd end of September night but not flipping mid August!! I've been glad of the haysteamer to dry my jacket on in-between trips to the muckheap.

The rain has been relentless today and there's a wind too. The field is flooded at the gate and badly poached where they've been hugging the hedge. The amount of rainfall is unreal.

Needless to say they are in tonight. They were out naked so the rug drier is on for the soaking towels. Rainsheets will definitely be on tomorrow morning.

Flipping climate change!!

Want to ship them down? Plenty of space, no mud as hardly any rain recently..... 20 degrees today, havent worn a jacket at the yard, let alone the wet weather gear for ages.... (sorry x)

 

[TPO]

Want to ship them down? Plenty of space, no mud as hardly any rain recently..... 20 degrees today, havent worn a jacket at the yard, let alone the wet weather gear for ages.... (sorry x)

Yes, and me too!!

I am very glad I'm not camping at Blair this year!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Yes, and me too!!

I am very glad I'm not camping at Blair this year!

You're most welcome to arrive too!
I dont do camping... my idea of staying away involves heating, en suite, etc

 

[Birker2020]

Hi All!!!!

Don't shoot me !!!! I know, I know, it's the middle of summer, none of us want to think about the awful winter!!! However, the influx of 'end of season sale' emails I have received over the weekend have made me aware that it is coming :-(.

So I thought I'd add this in to share our tips, tricks, deals and plans!

For me I need to get the guttering replaced around the stable block and the timber will get stained. I also need to get my automatic water fitted that I have had for a couple of years and never sorted!

Luckily, we've cut our own hay but I very much doubt we will have a second cut with the drought and I am having to feed hay at the moment because the grass is so poor.

I've stocked up on stud mix, but I need to get some other feeds in and I'd really like a mental feed bin.

I'd like to get the feed and tack rooms tidied and sorted in preparation too if anyone has any tips.

Also tips on rats!!! I have cats, but the rats hide in the big straw beds and scare me to death! I have tried snap traps and electric and I don't want to bait as we have birds of prey that pick them off. Ideally I just want to deter them from coming into the stables but I blocked the drain holes last year and they dug their way in.

Rug wise, I think we are okay, unless I decide to rug the yearling.

I need to send all my clipper blades of to be sharpened too.

So, what about everyone else?

I can't wait to have another horse - it will be a novelty to ride so I am looking forward to having a horse munching on hay, stood on a deep bed of shavings, wrapped in a cosy rug!

I don't care that yet another Summer has gone. I will just be happy to just have a horse again to fill my empty stable (and heart)! Winter - bring it on!

 

[Bobthecob15]

I quite like it when it's miserable outside and the horses are in with deep beds and munching on hay. I'm soft and like them all cosy in bad weather.

That's fine in October, even the odd end of September night but not flipping mid August!! I've been glad of the haysteamer to dry my jacket on in-between trips to the muckheap.

The rain has been relentless today and there's a wind too. The field is flooded at the gate and badly poached where they've been hugging the hedge. The amount of rainfall is unreal.

Needless to say they are in tonight. They were out naked so the rug drier is on for the soaking towels. Rainsheets will definitely be on tomorrow morning.

Flipping climate change!!

Mine are now in too!! Also rugging the TB when he’s out in the day. I’m not sad about it I much prefer them in at night

 

[southerncomfort]

I brought mine in at 9pm last night.

We had 50mph winds and the forecast was for torrential rain from 3am. They don't have any shelter in the summer paddock, so in the interests of me not lying awake all night worrying about them, I brought them in!

 

[dottylottie]

i’ve sent rugs off to be washed, but now i’m seriously thinking the princess could do with her no fill, as she’s getting very cross with the rain! still warm but throwing it down the other night and bringing her in was like flying a kite, dramatic head tilt away from the rain and everything - this will be the first winter i’ve had with her actually out, as the first winter i had her we had no turnout and last year she was still box rest/rehab, so i’m thinking it’s a good job she’s got plenty of rugs!

waiting for YO to move his sheep out of the field, so i can section the bottom bit off to let it rest ready to sacrifice for winter.

need to get some big haynets, to put in the field - we’ve got a couple of big trees im going to put tie rings on, as i’m definitely not tying them to the gate!

still need to get diva a couple more rugs, i’ve found the weatherbeeta combo necks don’t rub her mane out as there’s no seam on them so i need a 100g of that, and i’d really like an amigo no fill for her as lilys is lovely and light, and i find her weatherbeeta one such a pain

 

[asmp]

Sorry to annoy those of you with all the rain but I’m hoping for some as my winter field really needs to grow a bit before winter. We’re forecast a bit of rain on Saturday and then sunshine again next week!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

It’s going to be positively tropical next week.

Today however is blowing a gale and not remotely warm, I had to wear a fleece and a jacket to do the horses this morning!!!

 

[GoldenWillow]

A weather station in our area recorded 144mm of rain in the last 24hrs

 

[Esmae]

All hay and bedding is in the barn. Stables washed out and clean, I need to clean the feed store before delivery next month. I wanted to paint the stables but may run out of time this year. Depends on the weather. Other than that all prepared. Winter grass looks good. Hope the winter isn't too wet. The last 2 winters have been a bit depressing with the wet.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

We needed a bit of rain for the ground, but I am really not looking forward to the yard going from 4pm-7am, to 7am-4pm.. I always feel so mean initially but despite being on sand, we have to preserve grazing and actually once in the routine the horses settle right into it.

I have had all winter rugs washed, and checked they all fit, organised my tack locker, sold some old bits I don't need, checked the trailer in for it's service and all my winter coats/jackets are currently in the washing machine freshening up. I have also bought some magnetic stable chaps to see if that helps the leg filling (he's already on marigolds & cleavers, but if anyone has any recommendations, I am all ears!). He also can't have indoor rugs on as he lays in pee and poo and soaks them through somehow, despite a huge shavings bed, so I am considering quilts to go under a no full rather than two full rugs on...

 

[holeymoley]

My gate way is a mud swamp plus 2 other ponds in field. I really don’t know how this field will fare through the Winter if it’s like this already in August. Livery took on more horses but sold off fields so we have less fields than ever. Mine were getting badly bullied(well, oldie was) so I needed him moved to another field. This was the only spare one available which has never really been the best in the wet. Others have came in to it too due to bullying situation so it has more horses on it too. Not sure if a secondary gate made of electric fencing will work so that I can keep main gate free to ‘rest’. Really needs harcore or something but that’s out the options as no money will get spent on it.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

My gate way is a mud swamp plus 2 other ponds in field. I really don’t know how this field will fare through the Winter if it’s like this already in August. Livery took on more horses but sold off fields so we have less fields than ever. Mine were getting badly bullied(well, oldie was) so I needed him moved to another field. This was the only spare one available which has never really been the best in the wet. Others have came in to it too due to bullying situation so it has more horses on it too. Not sure if a secondary gate made of electric fencing will work so that I can keep main gate free to ‘rest’. Really needs harcore or something but that’s out the options as no money will get spent on it.

It may be worth looking for an alternate yard if possible before it become urgent, your situation sounds like it only going to go one way, and it's not a good one. Sorry to hear you're struggling with it a bit!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Forecast tonight is not good, gales and torrential rain Mine are most definitely in! X

 

[rabatsa]

After many years I am equiped for winters. It took a couple of inheritances to finance it all and I have endured 50+ years of imperfect situations but now there is nothing that I would change to make life easier.

Despite clay soil we are on the dry side of the country, swings and roundabouts come to mind.

My advice to people is to get bits at a time to make life easier/better for the long term. Even if it is only 10 mud control slabs a year, they take up and re arange as you add to them. Big bale nets and sheep ring feeders. A pallet in the bottom of the ring feeder keeps the bale off the ground. Half a ring feeder against a fence/wall if you want to drop small bales into them. All these things can move with you and your equines if you change locations.

What does not kill you makes you stronger and gives you more knowledge of what you need in the future.

 

[dorsetladette]

After many years I am equiped for winters. It took a couple of inheritances to finance it all and I have endured 50+ years of imperfect situations but now there is nothing that I would change to make life easier.

Despite clay soil we are on the dry side of the country, swings and roundabouts come to mind.

My advice to people is to get bits at a time to make life easier/better for the long term. Even if it is only 10 mud control slabs a year, they take up and re arange as you add to them. Big bale nets and sheep ring feeders. A pallet in the bottom of the ring feeder keeps the bale off the ground. Half a ring feeder against a fence/wall if you want to drop small bales into them. All these things can move with you and your equines if you change locations.

What does not kill you makes you stronger and gives you more knowledge of what you need in the future.

I didn't realise how much hay was wasted until I used bale nets - well worth the investment. We built a hay feeder with a roof a few years ago and now can roll a round bale in which last our 3 10 days in the worst of winter. Not needing to stuff haynets in gale force wind and rain is a game changer!

 

[TPO]

I didn't realise how much hay was wasted until I used bale nets - well worth the investment. We built a hay feeder with a roof a few years ago and now can roll a round bale in which last our 3 10 days in the worst of winter. Not needing to stuff haynets in gale force wind and rain is a game changer!

I remember your shelter! I think I saved pictures just in case I developed any DIY skills.