Winter is Coming!!! (For prepping squirrels)

Dave's Mam said:
I have rewaxed my jacket, and moaned about how woolly Dave is already.
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OMG, my pony is so fluffy too. I swear, his coat starts coming through exactly on the Equinox 🤣 I clipped a couple of weeks ago and my barefoot trimmer still commented on how woolly he is ...

I'm still largely trying to ignore winter is approaching.
 
I’ve got plenty of rock salt (think my dad ordered a lifetime supply a decade ago).

Rats - screwfix bait boxes. I hate poison as it’s not a nice death and so bad for anything that eats them/it. Just need a little jam or peanut butter at the back of the box - only a rodent could reach it so very safe. The little plastic traps are great too I place them under roof tiles around the yard so nothing else can get near them.

Bedding I do need to order, I had 50 bales of cardboard delivered December 2021 then lost fig and Rooni is so tidy I’ve still got 5 bales left.

Feed I get that by the pallet and I went to school with my haylage supplier so that’s not an issue. I do need to power wash roonis stable and think I might do that Sunday morning if the weather is ok.

Rugs are all ready to go and clipper blades ready to be used I had those sharpened earlier this year. I will be clipping before nationals second week of sept.
 
I honestly try not to prepare for winter these days. We rarely seem to get bad snow like we used to, most winters now are like long autumns with just a few days of snow usually. Last winter there was barely any frost (Im NE Scotland). Only thing Im doing is painting and sealing all my house windows and horse-wise Im adapting an old shed we have so I can fit 2 round bales of hay in it - I now have a horse with asthma so have to soak hay which will be a pain in the winter... at least be handy if I can have a dry place to put the round bales.
 
I have a new bedroom window, old one the double glazing had blown so I am now going go be warm.

Horse is all sorted. Just need to stock up on chaff and have another sort out in the tack room.

Though i do need a new winter long coat if anyone has anu suggestions. Warm ish but i layer up so needs to fit jumper and body warmer under.
 
Slightlyconfused said:
I have a new bedroom window, old one the double glazing had blown so I am now going go be warm.

Horse is all sorted. Just need to stock up on chaff and have another sort out in the tack room.

Though i do need a new winter long coat if anyone has anu suggestions. Warm ish but i layer up so needs to fit jumper and body warmer under.
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I bought the long LeMieux coat last year for 'smart' horse things and this is lovely and warm.
 
My 16 bales of straw have just been delivered, so that's one job down.

We won't get a 2nd cut of hay this year so will see how we manage with June's cut, I expect I'll need to buy some in but will probably get haylage as more availability
 
Does anyone have any good sources for bulk shaving deliveries? Specifically that would deliver to Essex.

This thread has given me a bit of a prod to get my organisation sorted.
 
We power-washed the field-shelter last week and put the first coat of paint on the inside yesterday.
We have someone booked to put up permanent fencing, so that we can get rid of sagging electric that stretches every time the wind blows.
 
Slight update from me.
My straw was delivered yesterday, 16 large bales should see me through winter I hope.
I've sorted the log store so that should be enough for this winter, just need to stain and stock up the 2nd store.
I really need to sort out my rugs and I WILL DEFINETLY, be washing all the fly rugs and putting them away clean!!!! Not leaving them hanging about all winter again!
 
Got my winter hay in.

Had 2 sycamores cut down and kept the wood for the log burner. Apparently sycamore wood seasons pretty quickly.

Clipper blades are sharpened.

Just need to do a bit of maintenance work on the field shelter, and pick up some straw.
 
We're not going to make a load of duck confit this autumn as we still have a good stash left from last year.

I'll buy in another four kg or so each of flour, rice, pearl barley and walnuts and that should do us for reserves of dry food so that we can live easily in the event of either another COVID lockdown or a patch of bad weather. Supposedly this winter could be a harsh el niño event.
 
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I need a plan for when the water freezes. Last year I had containers full in the horsebox, but it was frozen shut. I don't have enough space inside to have them around but really I just need to look at the weather forecast and fill at least one and put in back corner of the stable of the sensible horse.

I have a pallet of wood pellets already and am going to buy shaving for the top pretty much as I need them. Wood supply chains seem to be back to normal now and I think demand has reduced a little with people changing to straw to save money.

We did get a second cut of wrapped hay, waiting to see what it's like but hopefully suitable. I don't feed much hard feed so will buy as needed.

Rugs are mainly clean, I bought a larger washer and swapped most rugs for lightweight and 50g then bought 50g and 100g liners so I can pretty much wash and reproof myself.

Clipper blades need sharpening.

Need to have a moan at YO about the larger holes in the roof (listed building 😬) to see if he can patch them.

What else is there? I can't do much about muddy gateway but more stressful horse was pts this summer and other 2 don't actually mind being in so I might have them in a bit more in the worst weather.

I've bought a new waterproof longer jacket and have plenty of layers to go under it. I found the perfect waterproof yard gloves last year so will stock up on them. I keep meaning to buy a waterproof riding skirt, I'm a fair weather rider anyway but less likely to abandon a ride if I'm prepared.

My wheelbarrow wheel is hanging off so need to fix that.

What else is there?
 
I'm resurrecting this thread, as the past few mornings I have definitely noticed a more autumnal feel in the air! So we can all use it for moral support and encouragement as the weather starts to change!

This year, I have decided to change the way the horses are kept as we have the option of out 24/7 365. I am hoping this will suit my now veteran, keeping him moving and a bit fitter and keeping the youngster sane! They have both wintered out during bad weather previously and have lots of natural shelter so I'm hopeful they will be happy!

This does mean my prep is a bit different! I need to fence their winter area and put down some mud mats.
We have had a bumper crop of hay this year too so we're all ready for forage, I'll just need to get my hard feed in.
I purchased a few extra rugs but I really need to sort my rug storage so it is in some kind of order and accessible. I'm thinking some labelled boxes.

House wise, I'm hoping we can get a big cabin ordered in the end of summer sale, which will help with husbands paraphernalia and some of my horse storage.
I really need to paint the windows again but I can't see this happening, but we need to do some small repairs to 2 of the windows, definitely.

We bought a log splitter for the tractor earlier in the year, which is the best purchase EVER so the log stores are now full, but i need to check the oil tank. We have recently received a new gas bottle for the range though so that is sorted.

I'd quite like to get some decorating done, so it's nice for when we are hiding inside from the weather!

I had a lovely Stierna coat last winter but I need a short, warm, waterproof one so will have to keep an eye out!

What are your prepping plans?
 
Timely. Our hay is in, we made 26 big round bales so I'm hoping to sell half of it and still have enough left for the winter. I'm desperate to come up with a cheap solution to our mud patch where the yard meets the field (horses live out with free yard access), I know mud mats are the answer but I just can't afford them.... I also need to sort out a patch on the hard standing where there was a permanent puddle last winter.

I am thinking of starting to stockpile feed now, so I don't have to think about it in the depths of winter. Other than that, last winter was our first on yard that we literally threw together spring 2023 when we bought the land and it worked pretty well, horses stayed out but were fed hay in the shelters/yard. This year I've recently added gates and a swinging partition inside the shelter so they can double as stables if needed - I need to add one more gate to the third shelter so we have got adaptable stabling options for 3 as we've gained a horse! Oh and we've got a friend's horse staying for the summer (so currently 4), but she needs to be evicted before the weather gets bad!
 
Very autumnal here today. Not dreading autumn/winter so much this year as the last few weeks have been lovely weather-wise.

We always fill up the tank with heating oil in August as it's cheap compared to the rest of the year.

I recently bought a really nice lightweight waterproof Regatta jacket from the garden centre. It was reduced from £110 to £33. It's absolutely perfect for this weather and, with a fleece underneath, should see me through to the colder months when the big coat comes out.

We picked up about 30 bales of hay beginning of July. I imagine we'll need some more around mid November.

Bo was fully clipped out recently and I'm undecided yet whether to keep him that way. If I do I'll need to go rug shopping!

I'm in the process of topping the winter paddock to keep weeds and ergot fungus at bay. I'm topping it quite high so their will still be plenty of grass (too much for 2 natives really).

They will go in there in early October, so I will put a big straw bed down in the field shelter before then.

ETA we are also in the process of rearranging my feed room. The last owner put a row of kitchen units in but they are far too high for me to use.

Mr SC has removed them and we're going to put a shelf up instead and use clear labelled plastic boxes for all my bits and pieces.

I also have a small shelf with 3 kettles on for the winter which is also way to high. Going to lower the shelf and reduce the risk of me dripping boiling water over myself!
 
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!
 
Hay isn’t an issue as we have plenty home made and the barn is full. Stables were gutted and all the walls and mats lifted and jet washed a few months ago. I have a huge feed bin now so can store feed if need be. At home I’ve just painted the 30ft shed and ordered the new roofing felt to be delivered on Thursday so that will be watertight once again. I do need to order oil though, down to 3 bars on the Watchman.

I bought loads of new winter yard clothes, waterproofs and winter boots last year in the sales so no need for anymore but I did have an order of winter socks arrive last week.

The horses Rhinos are cleaned and ready should they need them as they will be living out for as long as possible. I’m just hoping for a cold crisp winter rather than the soggy mud fest we had last year.
 
Hay supplier organised and already ring fenced 20 round bales for us this winter.

Winter paddock/field has rested since march apart from the odd day here and there when we need the ponies out of the way to do some work.

I had to make room in the tack room at the beginning of the summer so all rugs went off to be washed and re proofed after having a clear out, so I'm pretty organised on that front. Although I will need to make sure Reggie still fits in the 5ft9in as he's had a growth spurt again.

I need to seal the roof of the tack room (shipping container) and if there's any left the shelter roof seems too.

I do need to invest in a good winter coat - but I'm to indecisive and don't like spending to much money on something that will ultimately get covered in mud.
 
I'm back to 3 horses for this winter. All young and healthy and hardy so I'd like to keep them out but unless it's an unusually dry winter it won't be possible. I will leave them out later though, the oldies wanted to come in at dusk, these guys can wait.

I've lost the spare stable I was using as storage. I have absolutely no under cover storage now, just garden boxes outside, don't fancy making feeds up in the pouring rain!

We have used those plastic shed bases to create walkways between fields. Obviously not intended for horse use but you fill with gravel so it is strong, says can support 2 tonnes, worth looking at.

My clean rugs are stored in the big nestable really useful boxes, it really helps to put a disposable dehumidifier inside to keep them dry, or one of those pillow things you get for your car.

All my rugs at 0g or 50g and I bought a 12kg washing machine so can wash and reproof them at home.
 
Shoei said:
:p I know, I know!!!! But I cannot be the only one surely lol
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I quite like winter planning! I like winter, I just dislike mud. Winter without mud would be my ideal!

I'd like to paint my stables and know the back guttering is in need of attention. I also need to do a good bit of hedge cutting as the hedges behind are really banging on my stables roof and rear wall. They are wooden so quite noisy, thats a bad job though. there is no space at all to get in there.
 
MarvelVillis said:
I still need to get my rugs washed/reproofed/repaired but hope to sort that this weekend. I'm pregnant and due Feb so need to buy some maternity waterproof clothing this year! Thinking of splurging on the Equidry, hoping my bump could fit underneath it as they do seem quite roomy.

I've just ordered a Nosebag hay feeder so I don't have to worry about nets this year. Planning on filling up a week's worth of hay into large bags on the weekends so I can just dump them into the feeder (with some help with the OH when the bump gets bigger!)

Had every intention of power washing his stable at the beginning of summer but never got round to it, but plan to do it one dry weekend in September so his rubber mats have chance to dry.
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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 🤣
 
It is definitely feeling a bit more autumnal for sure! The only thing I plan to change compared to last winter is to up my mare's feed a little more... we feed mostly hay but a small bucket feed each night for balancer and a bit more oomph for the senior citizens (who get a senior mash). Up to now my mare has usually just had a low sugar chaff but she dropped of a little more than I'd like last winter. I'm thinking of trying D&H Cushcare this winter (she does have very mild Cushing's, currently not treated as does very well generally) but I never hear much about it. Will have to do some research!

Oddly I'm looking forward to the cooler months?! The lack of flies and cleaner water troughs really appeals at this point in the year, plus having a mini with EMS it's much easier when the grass isn't growing!
 
MuddyMonster said:
OMG, my pony is so fluffy too. I swear, his coat starts coming through exactly on the Equinox 🤣 I clipped a couple of weeks ago and my barefoot trimmer still commented on how woolly he is ...

I'm still largely trying to ignore winter is approaching.
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One year later; pony is still recently clipped & getting fluffier & I'm still largely trying to ignore the impending winter ... I'm nothing if not consistent!
 
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