Winter riding

[Jencharl]

Anyone else stressed about riding this winter.
I've had my boy Charlie a year march.
He has been spooky , but getting better. But I'm struggling to ride much, if it's not raining its icy. Hes my first horse.im worried hes going to slip back to spooking if I'm not riding him as often. Really stressing me .

 

[Fastasflames]

some winters are easier than others - this time last year all my horses were in work, it was mild and we were able to go and use local arenas too.
This year, everything is now on an extended holiday.... it's simply too dangerous to try and ride between sheet ice/snow/sopping wet ground. And as you said, horses that have been out of work are far more liable to be stupid. Ive decided to wait until the weather improves and pick them all up again when it can be done safely.

 

[Jencharl]

Thank you . I have been telling myself that. But still stress lol. I think this time next year I'll be different. When I have had him longer, fingers crossed ???

 

[Fastasflames]

i stress too though and ive had horses 30 years... i know its not sensible to try and keep going when its like this though unless you have an indoor. Horses and people are prone to injury lol

 

[Littlewills]

I've got a horse who can be stressy and very, very silly. Shes on at least a months holiday as it was pointless trying to keep her in proper work with the weather. She usually comes back from a break better rather than worse, so dont worry

 

[RylandLodge]

Hi all,
I've been stressing about not being able to do much with one of ours. We have a young ex racer who we are retraining and feel like I've hit a dead stop with her because of the weather. I cant seem to get forwards for one thing or another. It seems like at the moment there is always something stopping me....either snow, wind, rain, ice, time, darkness, she's not in the mood....
Hoping spring arrives very soon so we can make up for lost time and trying to look at all the time I seem to spend grooming her at the moment as precious bonding time!
Chin up everyone else that is as frustrated as me!
H x

 

[Jencharl]

Feel better it's not just me. That's how I feel. I work full time too. By the time I get to the yard tack up its getting dark and hes usually starving as grass is scarse. So hes not interested which makes him naughty . I feel I am Clock watching all the time. Tried to ride in the morning before work. Too tired. Bring on the spring ?

 

[Jencharl]

I would like to thank everyone for replying. I dont deal with stress very well. So this helps

 

[RylandLodge]

Feel better it's not just me. That's how I feel. I work full time too. By the time I get to the yard tack up its getting dark and hes usually starving as grass is scarse. So hes not interested which makes him naughty . I feel I am Clock watching all the time. Tried to ride in the morning before work. Too tired. Bring on the spring ?

Me too...by the time I get to the girls they're both ready for tea and then disinterested in doing much. My TB is an ex racer that I'm currently re training and it has been SO hard over the last couple of weeks. She hates the rain and plays up, can't do anything in the snow...I feel like I'm stressing massively about getting nowhere with her. We've had to cancel the last 4 lessons because of weather so over the last 4 weeks havent done anything proactive ☹

 

[Elno]

Same ??‍

We had an awfully rainy autumn extending much longer than usual, and now the really cold temperatures and snow hit. No motivation, pitch darkness after 2-3 pm, bitter cold and veeeeeeeeery fresh youngster full of pent up energy.

Decided to stop fretting about not being able nor really wanting to ride right now, and rather focus the energy on building our relationsship with just hanging out, walking, and working on her ground manners. Had a trainer out yesterday and worked on some basic horsemanship things ?

 

[Jencharl]

Me too...by the time I get to the girls they're both ready for tea and then disinterested in doing much. My TB is an ex racer that I'm currently re training and it has been SO hard over the last couple of weeks. She hates the rain and plays up, can't do anything in the snow...I feel like I'm stressing massively about getting nowhere with her. We've had to cancel the last 4 lessons because of weather so over the last 4 weeks havent done anything proactive ☹

Me too...by the time I get to the girls they're both ready for tea and then disinterested in doing much. My TB is an ex racer that I'm currently re training and it has been SO hard over the last couple of weeks. She hates the rain and plays up, can't do anything in the snow...I feel like I'm stressing massively about getting nowhere with her. We've had to cancel the last 4 lessons because of weather so over the last 4 weeks havent done anything proactive ☹

Be lucky if I can ride up and down the track lol. I don't think he cares mind lol

 

[Goldenstar]

It’s difficult cut his feed back and work when ever you can .
If you really get into difficulties I would consider giving him a break it’s sometimes better to wait for the better weather .

 

[RylandLodge]

Same ??‍

We had an awfully rainy autumn extending much longer than usual, and now the really cold temperatures and snow hit. No motivation, pitch darkness after 2-3 pm, bitter cold and veeeeeeeeery fresh youngster full of pent up energy.

Decided to stop fretting about not being able nor really wanting to ride right now, and rather focus the energy on building our relationsship with just hanging out, walking, and working on her ground manners. Had a trainer out yesterday and worked on some basic horsemanship things ?

Elno, what sort of things did your trainer suggest? What is your youngster?

 

[mini_b]

Feel better it's not just me. That's how I feel. I work full time too. By the time I get to the yard tack up its getting dark and hes usually starving as grass is scarse. So hes not interested which makes him naughty . I feel I am Clock watching all the time. Tried to ride in the morning before work. Too tired. Bring on the spring ?

If you know the only time you can ride is after work, could you pop some hay in field during day so he’s not starving when he comes in?
Then bring him into some plain as can be chaff. Give him time to scoff while you do jobs and get ready.

Ive barely ridden over last few weeks... I’ve got a spooky twit too I understand! It’s sort of just how it is at this time of year, and now due to corona we can’t go hire anywhere either...

don’t panic - it is what it is and spring will be here soon.

 

[Elno]

Elno, what sort of things did your trainer suggest? What is your youngster?

I have a mare that is very soon about to turn 5. It's the one in my profile pic.

Nothing fancy really since it was the first time working with that trainer, just basic stuff like backing up when asked, moving to the side and lowering her head. She can be a bit bolshy and a bit rude at times, and also be a "typical" mare and it was long overdue to start to actively correct those issues and re-establish some rules. She made huge progress just after one session, so I was actually kind of surprised by it all. Not much of a natural horsemanship - type of person, honestly ?

I have a book by Kelly Marks called Perfect Manners, have had it laying around gathering dust, but when I remembered I had it and started reading again I realised it was basically the same stuff we were doing.

 

[Petmurf]

I haven’t ridden for a couple of weeks now due to snow/ice/heavy rain/yard restrictions so we have been concentrating on in hand walks and tons of groundwork as my boy is only 6 and doesn’t have the best manners or confidence so I decided to use lockdown as a chance to work with him to build our confidence together and help with his manners....it’s still a work in progress but we’re getting there, yesterday we did a walk on our own when previously I’ve had trouble getting him off the yard so somethings working

 

[Jencharl]

If you know the only time you can ride is after work, could you pop some hay in field during day so he’s not starving when he comes in?
Then bring him into some plain as can be chaff. Give him time to scoff while you do jobs and get ready.

Ive barely ridden over last few weeks... I’ve got a spooky twit too I understand! It’s sort of just how it is at this time of year, and now due to corona we can’t go hire anywhere either...

don’t panic - it is what it is and spring will be here soon.

I am on a livery yard.I'm not allowed to put hay in his field, I do agree it would benefit me if I could.
His previous owner said he isn't the type of horse that needs regular riding. He comes back into work fine. I think as it's my first year with him I'm concerned.
Hes getting so much better though I do a lot on the ground with him. Thank you for reassurance helps a lot. Also feel so guilty turning him out this weather. I dont want him in his stable all day and night. He has to come in at night in winter yard rules. So hes in all night as it is. He has rug on and hes an Irish draft x so quite a tough cookie x

 

[mini_b]

I am on a livery yard.I'm not allowed to put hay in his field, I do agree it would benefit me if I could.
His previous owner said he isn't the type of horse that needs regular riding. He comes back into work fine. I think as it's my first year with him I'm concerned.
Hes getting so much better though I do a lot on the ground with him. Thank you for reassurance helps a lot. Also feel so guilty turning him out this weather. I dont want him in his stable all day and night. He has to come in at night in winter yard rules. So hes in all night as it is. He has rug on and hes an Irish draft x so quite a tough cookie x

he will be fine if rugged appropriately, it’s best for them to be out.
if you are doing lots on the ground it’s still something that’s getting his brain working.

lots of places don’t allow you to feed hay in fields you’re not the only one - you could perhaps either buy your own in, or speak to yard owner how she would like it kept tidy and you could buy a hay feeder for field or something. those are usually the two issues. Cost and mess!

if he’s improving - don’t worry about what hasn’t happened yet as you will pass on your stress to him!
lots get turned away for the winter