Horsegirl25
Well-Known Member
Thinking of ways to make life easier this winter! Does anyone have any winter 'life hacks' that make life a wee bit easier during winter.
Winter life hacks
- Thread starter Horsegirl25
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TheHairyOne
Well-Known Member
Pay someone else to do everything? 
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
There is a really useful thread running at the moment (resurrected from last year.)
forums.horseandhound.co.uk
I keep mine out 24/7 on well draining land with adlib hay, shelter and well rugged.
If the weather is grim I don't need to do much more than check they are dry under their rugs and top their water up during the week. I have camera's up so I can check them from the comfort of a heated office during the day.
Winter is Coming!!! (For prepping squirrels)
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...
forums.horseandhound.co.uk
I keep mine out 24/7 on well draining land with adlib hay, shelter and well rugged.
If the weather is grim I don't need to do much more than check they are dry under their rugs and top their water up during the week. I have camera's up so I can check them from the comfort of a heated office during the day.
Esmae
Well-Known Member
Make sure all supplies are in, stored, and ready for use so no need for deliveries during the worst weather. Have a place for everything and everything in it's place. If you are working have enough haynets filled for the week ready to hang up.
humblepie
Well-Known Member
Just think of the saving on fly spray.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I made all weather turnout areas. Frost proofed the water supply. Fitted extra spot lights.
Bring it on!
Bring it on!
Jenko109
Well-Known Member
Sell the horse in the spring...
dottylottie
Well-Known Member
have extra nets and buckets, and stockpile on the weekend! more riding time when it’s dark after (and before) work!
santas_spotty_pony
Well-Known Member
Make feeds up the night before, fill up the extra haynets, leave turnout rugs on in the stables so it’s quicker in the morning and they also dry out, I use seven day mud away on legs/around ears etc when it’s really muddy as it keeps them cleaner….
I’ll add more if I think of any.
I’ll add more if I think of any.
Peglo
Well-Known Member
Rugs with reflective strips so horses are easy to find in torch light.
My only other tip is hopeful thinking that the winter will indeed pass.
My only other tip is hopeful thinking that the winter will indeed pass.
kathantoinette
Well-Known Member
Before last winter we built an ‘L’ shaped shelter in a sand turnout area. The horses now live out all winter in this area and eat haylage from a large tub, no more hay nets, hurrah! And a huge saving on bedding. There is a bedded up area but most of the time they poo on the sand.
I obviously realise this is not feasible for everyone so some other suggestions;
* Buy lots of hay nets and make them up on the days when you have more time
* Save supplement containers and mix all feeds for the week on the day you have more time
* Only add extra bedding on the day with more time and lots to last the week so you’re only doing it once a week
* Get auto drinkers (although I know some owners aren’t keen on them)
*Buy a snuggly hood for wet, muddy days/paddocks
I obviously realise this is not feasible for everyone so some other suggestions;
* Buy lots of hay nets and make them up on the days when you have more time
* Save supplement containers and mix all feeds for the week on the day you have more time
* Only add extra bedding on the day with more time and lots to last the week so you’re only doing it once a week
* Get auto drinkers (although I know some owners aren’t keen on them)
*Buy a snuggly hood for wet, muddy days/paddocks
94lunagem
Well-Known Member
Mine live out but when I had ones I fetched in, leave turnout rugs on. Best way to dry a rug is on the horse!
Batch up feeds a week at a time. Stock up on and pre fill haynets. I fill spare buckets and leave them in my yard kitchen if I think the hose or tap will freeze up overnight so I’m not faffing before work.
Grit overnight, use the stuff that stops key routes across the yard it freezing rather than the stuff you throw down once already frozen.
If feasible, have a kettle or some kind of hot water available.
Those of us who have no choice but to poo pick in the dark 5 days a week, make a proper investment in a good head torch. It makes all the difference.
Batch up feeds a week at a time. Stock up on and pre fill haynets. I fill spare buckets and leave them in my yard kitchen if I think the hose or tap will freeze up overnight so I’m not faffing before work.
Grit overnight, use the stuff that stops key routes across the yard it freezing rather than the stuff you throw down once already frozen.
If feasible, have a kettle or some kind of hot water available.
Those of us who have no choice but to poo pick in the dark 5 days a week, make a proper investment in a good head torch. It makes all the difference.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Here in Colorado I am winter prepping! Had someone out today to fix a burst pipe and fix the auto waterers.
- Making sure the heat tape plug is working to avoid burst pipes
- Ordering new heating elements for the auto waterers
- Sorting the outside lights that don't seem to work
- Clearing out the hay storage area so I can put hay in there, and keep trailer in the barn for easy in/out access in snow
- Looking at ATV's to buy
- Buying whiteboards to clearly spell out horses needs, in case of an emergency where I can't get there and someone has to step in
- Getting the tack room heater working
- Putting up eventing photos to make myself smile as the weather gets colder
- Looking at another horse to buy to make winter even worse
- Making sure the heat tape plug is working to avoid burst pipes
- Ordering new heating elements for the auto waterers
- Sorting the outside lights that don't seem to work
- Clearing out the hay storage area so I can put hay in there, and keep trailer in the barn for easy in/out access in snow
- Looking at ATV's to buy
- Buying whiteboards to clearly spell out horses needs, in case of an emergency where I can't get there and someone has to step in
- Getting the tack room heater working
- Putting up eventing photos to make myself smile as the weather gets colder
- Looking at another horse to buy to make winter even worse
Abacus
Well-Known Member
Heated insoles for boots - absolutely game changing on the coldest days (especially for those hunting, or in my case standing every Sunday on a cold football field watching my son at another sport). As they are disposable and about £2 per pair I wouldn't use them every day but my goodness they are amazing. Available in big boxes from Amazon.
GrassChop
Well-Known Member
How do you give adlib hay? If I put too much out for mine in their hay box, they will throw it out and trample it into the ground. Being able to just do a small top up of hay would be so much easier in winter as it's hard work getting wheelbarrows across the fields when it's muddy.There is a really useful thread running at the moment (resurrected from last year.)
Winter is Coming!!! (For prepping squirrels)
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...
I keep mine out 24/7 on well draining land with adlib hay, shelter and well rugged.
If the weather is grim I don't need to do much more than check they are dry under their rugs and top their water up during the week. I have camera's up so I can check them from the comfort of a heated office during the day.
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
I have a hay feeder 6ft x 6ft square which fits a round bale in. Roll the bale in and put in a bale net. The hay feeder has a roof on it and a tall door on the side the weather comes across the field. A bale lasts 10 days.
palo1
Well-Known Member
Ha! Winter! I spit in the face of the sideways rain, knee deep mud, the long hours of darkness and pitch black early starts. I have a part covered yard, a radio, solar AND rechargeable lighting and treat the bloody awful work as a decent workout so I don't feel the need to trudge off to a gym or something even worse than mud, horses, rain and wind. Honestly, last year I made the tack room and yard a good place to be & it made so much difference 
. Well, until early December when I started fantasizing about a horse free life...After the solstice I perked up again though and winter did end. Hoping for cooler and drier this year: forage is stored ready and just deciding which bedding to go for. We can do it! 
. Well, until early December when I started fantasizing about a horse free life...After the solstice I perked up again though and winter did end. Hoping for cooler and drier this year: forage is stored ready and just deciding which bedding to go for. We can do it! 
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
I dont actually mind winter, I love mucking out etc and I live in Scotland so it technically winter most of the year
scruffyponies
Well-Known Member
Tie a piece of string around a brick and drop it in your trough / bucket, so that when it freezes, you can lift the ice out by the string without getting your hand wet.
Not only is this quicker and easier, but with no broken ice remaining in the water, it will take longer to refreeze.
Not only is this quicker and easier, but with no broken ice remaining in the water, it will take longer to refreeze.
Esmae
Well-Known Member
The best thing ever is one of these.
www.arleymosssupplies.co.uk
No more frozen taps. We have 2 here. One in the field and one on the yard. Brilliant piece of kit
Stand Pipe Water Hydrant - Woodford No Freeze Y34 Outdoor Stand Pipe
Stand Pipe Water Hydrant - Woodford No Freeze Y34 Outdoor Stand Pipe, Non freezing tap, Frost resistant tap
www.arleymosssupplies.co.uk
No more frozen taps. We have 2 here. One in the field and one on the yard. Brilliant piece of kit
ecb89
Well-Known Member
Ohh this is good!
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
For those who are on assisted DIY and can't do turnout themselves before work.
Buy a large tub. Place hay in smaller tub and cover with upturned larger tub in your horses paddock the night before, if staff turn out the next day.
Leave a small brick or piece of wood on top so it doesn't blow away. Taught all my horses to knock the tub over in their paddocks, saves hay and stops it getting soaked over the nught if it rains.
.
Also, if you do feed wet hay, keeping it covered prevents it freezing during a cold night.
Invest in Keratex mud fever talc to keep mudfever at bay. Apply night before to legs.
Make large haynets easier to carry by threading the tying string through side of net and back again to form a handle.
HollyWoozle
Well-Known Member
I sound like a broken record as this is always my answer, but a decent pair of waterproof overalls are a game changer. You can put them over whatever you’re wearing and stay warm, clean and dry.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
Get one of these, put a large tub inside it and fill with water. Leave tied to side of stable with quick release catch. Saves your back carrying heavy water buckets.
Add a housebrick between tub and bottom of wheels thing for stability.
Also get yourself a trolley to wheel heavy soaked nets to your stable from the tap. This was a life saver for me with back issues in the past.
Add a housebrick between tub and bottom of wheels thing for stability.
Also get yourself a trolley to wheel heavy soaked nets to your stable from the tap. This was a life saver for me with back issues in the past.
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MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
My winter essentials?
A lumie daylight alarm clock
Decent head torch for hacking before work in the dark
Pig oil. Lots of it. Ditto hand moisturiser, a good face moisturiser and lip balm. Oh, and gin.
Equicoat - not just to keep me dry but also so no one need know I am actually hacking in my fleece PJ bottoms, thank you very much.
And remembering there's actually only something like 56 days between the clocks going back and Winter Solstice.
A lumie daylight alarm clock
Decent head torch for hacking before work in the dark
Pig oil. Lots of it. Ditto hand moisturiser, a good face moisturiser and lip balm. Oh, and gin.
Equicoat - not just to keep me dry but also so no one need know I am actually hacking in my fleece PJ bottoms, thank you very much.
And remembering there's actually only something like 56 days between the clocks going back and Winter Solstice.
JenJ
Well-Known Member
Any particular ones you'd recommend?
GypsGal1718
Well-Known Member
Always keep horses out, it’s better for their mind, health and spirit. If your yard doesn’t allow it you can find a new one. Simple as that.
Oh and colinder for ice and buckets and adding warm water. Hoof oil on soles to stop snow packing!
Oh and colinder for ice and buckets and adding warm water. Hoof oil on soles to stop snow packing!
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
Camping stove and kettle for heating water when you don't have electric.
Rechargeable strip lights as no electric. Game changer! (as long as you remember to charge and bring back to yard).
Old ski gloves for covering padlocks so they don't freeze. The ones with pull cord wrists are the best.
Small bucket with a good lid for soaking feeds at home and transporting in the car. no more mornings of frozen sugarbeet.
Multiple pairs of shoes in the car - because I'm always wearing the wrong ones!
Change of clothes in the car to change when you slip over in the mud (I usually do it in the chicken run
).
Pack of large industrial wet wipes by the feed room door to clean hands before getting back in the car (or incorrect shoes which I WILL be wearing!) (usually steal OHs out of his van.
Lottery win to afford a proper yard with electric and staff!
Rechargeable strip lights as no electric. Game changer! (as long as you remember to charge and bring back to yard).
Old ski gloves for covering padlocks so they don't freeze. The ones with pull cord wrists are the best.
Small bucket with a good lid for soaking feeds at home and transporting in the car. no more mornings of frozen sugarbeet.
Multiple pairs of shoes in the car - because I'm always wearing the wrong ones!
Change of clothes in the car to change when you slip over in the mud (I usually do it in the chicken run
).Pack of large industrial wet wipes by the feed room door to clean hands before getting back in the car (or incorrect shoes which I WILL be wearing!) (usually steal OHs out of his van.
Lottery win to afford a proper yard with electric and staff!
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Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
Agree with the daylight alarm clock, no way I could get out of bed without one.
Soak feeds in an insulated cool box to stop them freezing.
Buy many pairs of gloves so you can change any time you need. I like these, waterproof and thermal for £7. https://www.workgloves.co.uk/ejendals-tegera-517-thermal-waterproof-outdoor-work-gloves.html
Buy 2mm diving socks, they're warm and waterproof if your wellies start to leak.
Have 2 water buckets in your stable if you think the tap might freeze, buy a firepit or barbecue cover to go over the spare if it's too big for a standard cover.
If your greedy horse finishes their hay too fast despite trickle nets soak 2kg for however long you have available. A small net isn't too bad to deal with and mine only eat it when they get properly hungry.
Waterproof riding skirts are great.
Usb chargeable lanterns and head torch, keep a power bank at the yard.
Think about how to create an automatic feeder. I'll start thread on my inventions.
Soak feeds in an insulated cool box to stop them freezing.
Buy many pairs of gloves so you can change any time you need. I like these, waterproof and thermal for £7. https://www.workgloves.co.uk/ejendals-tegera-517-thermal-waterproof-outdoor-work-gloves.html
Buy 2mm diving socks, they're warm and waterproof if your wellies start to leak.
Have 2 water buckets in your stable if you think the tap might freeze, buy a firepit or barbecue cover to go over the spare if it's too big for a standard cover.
If your greedy horse finishes their hay too fast despite trickle nets soak 2kg for however long you have available. A small net isn't too bad to deal with and mine only eat it when they get properly hungry.
Waterproof riding skirts are great.
Usb chargeable lanterns and head torch, keep a power bank at the yard.
Think about how to create an automatic feeder. I'll start thread on my inventions.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
Buy your husband a horse, make him do all the hay nets and water while you stay warm and dry mucking out.