~~**Winter Survival Tips?**~~

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Vicki1986

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have you any to share?

mine are...


*Make sure you have a waffle/thermalux type rug to help dry a wet horse
*Always keep a set of clean towels at the yard, naf old ones for drying the horse and better ones to dry off your hair etc when you get soaked
*If you have a spare, or someone buys you a new hairdryer for Xmas take the old one up the yard you can use it for drying loads of different things - including your hair if you get soaked
*Keep a change of clothes in the car or at the yard so if you do get soaked riding at least you can get changed at the yard
*Put a summer sheet under stable rugs to keep them clean and the summer sheet is easier to wash. Also someone reckoned spraying rugs with polish stops the poo sticking
 
LOL
fill a weeks supply of haynets at the weekend to save having to on dark winter mornings when your late for work.
steaming hay in a bin is better than soaking it and much drier for you.
spare socks and wellies at the yard.
buy loads of gloves, you cant have too many.
Flasks of hot drinks and soup at the yard warm you up after a cold hack
check all rugs now and repair or buy spares today before the freezing weather sets in.
regulaly look at heels and legs for signs of mud fever. treat before it gets out of hand. oil legs/heels with liquid parafin [ or pig oil] once or twice a week anyway to act as a preventative.
 
* if you use a duvet for your horse to go under a light stable rug, use a duvet cover on it, so you only have to wash the cover.

*vaseline, and plenty of it....great for chapped lips hands etc.

*wear a thin plastic bag in your boots over your socks (two thin pairs of socks!), keeps your feet suprisingly warm and should your boots leak your feet will stay dry. Also those thin plastic gloves you can get for dyeing hair (you can buy them in packs of 100 at chemists) are fab for putting under your gloves. If your gloves get wet your hands don't.

*put a football in field troughs to stop them freezing over completely.

* put stable water buckets in the bedding, this stops them freezing.

* buy extra feed buckets and hay nets, then you can make up feeds and weigh out hay in advance and save on time in the mornings.

*always layer your clothes. A vest, tucked in, followed by a long sleeve top, then a jumper, gilet and coat (oh and hat and gloves). this will keep you well insulated!

* a balaclava makes going down freezing fields more bearable. Buy 5 pairs of cheap gloves in the same colour and keep them at the yard, that way, you always have a pair. Thick tights under your jods, breeches or jeans are so cosy.
 
Log onto www.bbc.co.uk/weather and check the forecast to avoid riding out when the downpours are due!!! Although if you are mad like me you ride in all weathers!
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Wear a baseball cap or hat to avoid your hair getting soaked when at the stables.
Get a nice log fire going at home so you can dry off in front of it when you get back from the stables.
Wear a back protector throughout winter as it is the best wind deflector ever and keeps you nice and toasty...as well as being safe!
Get some hot chocolate in a flask for when you can't feel your fingers and toes!
Wear rubber gloves for stable duties wen it is cold and wet...saves your fingers freezing quite so quickly if they remain dry.
Can't think of any others for the mo...roll on spring!
 
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regulaly look at heels and legs for signs of mud fever. treat before it gets out of hand. oil legs/heels with liquid parafin [ or pig oil] once or twice a week anyway to act as a preventative.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where can you buy pig oil? I have looked everywhere, and even my dad, who's a farmer, hasnt a clue where to buy it!
 
Baby oil works as well instead of liquid paraffin.
I haven't been able to find pig oil, or powdered sulphur this year if anyone can help?

Ski suits/trousers make for very warm overclothing.

An apple in the stable water bucket can help prevent it freezing.
 
Quote:

regulaly look at heels and legs for signs of mud fever. treat before it gets out of hand. oil legs/heels with liquid parafin [ or pig oil] once or twice a week anyway to act as a preventative.

Quote:

Where can you buy pig oil? I have looked everywhere, and even my dad, who's a farmer, hasnt a clue where to buy it!

I use vasline on heels but anything like this is a barrier so make sure the area is totaly dry or your making mud fever etc more likely!

Take a bale of hay and bedding plus a bag of any feeds you use and hide them!! When you run out then you have spares and he doesnt go hungry with no bed!! Spesh around xmas time when shops have funny hours!
 
Lag any pipes now, no water on freezing cold mornings (mainly to fill the kettle!) is no fun.

Get plenty of salt in, and ensure that surfaces are well covered the night before an expected freeze.

Start weigh taping now, and do it at the same time of day every week throughout winter to ensure any weight loss is quickly picked up on.

If you wash legs, try and ensure that the surface near the hose is well prepared for the onslaught of winter. Last winter we had a washing down area based on sand, and it was very messy!! This year we have a nice new concreted wash bay that will be well appreciated.

Check guttering when it's raining to show any weak areas that may need doing.

Stockpile feed and bedding in one bulk order - often works out cheaper.

Ensure your car is either serviced or maintained - particularly oil, anti freeze, screenwash and wiper blades, plus check tyres as balding tyres have less traction in bad conditions.

Get a head torch. Yes, you'll look like an idiot but invaluable for getting spooky cold horses in in windy dark conditions!

Invest in a big strong wheelbarrow. Saves on trips to the muck heap which can only be a good thing!!

If your feet get really cold, go stand in the muck heap, source of instant heat.

Keep an eye on any feral cats at the yard - make sure they're wormed, and sufficiently healthy during the cold months.
 
Always have grit or salt available on the yard. As you're guranteed that if you've got a dripping tap - it'll freeze and you'll do the proverbial!
 
Get your used to associating seeing a torch with getting a carrot. Really useful if they are in massive fields as they come to you rather than you having to find them.
 
Pig Oil is is sold at Agricultural Merchants in a 5 litre container. As is Liquid Parafin. both very good and mixed with sulphur powder which some people like to do [ also available from same store] eg Countrywide, Central Wool Growers ,CCF etc
 
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