Does anyone ride in the winter? and Tips ...

[kinnip]

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It's chilly here, but not quite Ontario chilly. I just wear thicker socks.

 

[lorieMN]

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some horses might have to wear boots when riding after the shoes first come off,there is a transitioning period for them that most will go through and it is nothing to get worried about,but the hoof has to rebuild itself the way it wants to and so lots of time you will see cracking,chiping things like that you just have to keep up with them,we file,(I wont say trim because we havent had to take a nipper to any of ours in well over a year) every 4 weeks,hubby does one horse a weekend so they stay on schedule,and it only takes a few minutes this way..I even do mine when he is too busy ( he drives semi),with a hoof jack it is very easy and wont kill your back..you know if you get them in shape and take some classes,good classes,not some joe blow but someone that knows what they are doing,you can do them yourself and never pay a farrier again,,,it isnt rocket science but you have to be willing to learn the correct way,..check around your area,ask questions,you should be able to find someone to help you..

 

[snowydiamonds]

My favorite time to ride my two Icelandics (pony one and change) was winter. I used a bareback pad without stirrups and the only thing that got cold was my fingers but all you had to do was slip your hands beneath the mane and they were toasty warm. I never allowed the horses to get sweaty and they were barefooted while I kept a pick in my pocket. Mine neck reined or leg and voice command while their daily halter was the bridle and the lead rope had clips on both ends that hooked to the sides of the halter so bitless as metal in Alaska is far too cold IMO and theirs. Had those two boys for the last 12 years of their lives (Icelandics live near or up to 40 years) and I spend many hours training them to be safe w/my children as when I got them they'd been starved and beat most of their lives and hated people and reindeer- had to herd reindeer in their past)

The turning point in their lives and their total trust in me came when I force rode them up to a herd of reindeer and let go of the reins and allowed them to do whatever they pleased -be it buck, run, roll... I told them they'd never herd reindeer again as long as we were both alive! The forced ride to the deer took forever, they would balk, I'd nudge w/my knees and tell them "come on, trust me" and turn their direction three steps to the right or left but forward still the same... little by little we got to the deer, all very gentle and then when I released the reins I told them "good boys, what will you do now?"

The joy they had, raised into the air, exhilaration beating from our three hearts...we galloped, they gently kicked their hind legs out twice as we left the deer...and from that day forward, they listened to me even when they shouldn't have!

Like the time we rode into a gully of soft snow and I told them, "come on, trust me..." They said "No, mom, we know how deep that soft snow is..." and I said "We can do this...its a short distance and have I ever failed you?" Well, we got halfway thru and I had to jump off as we were floundering in snow to their shoulders and they'd raise up on hind legs, pound the snow down with their front feet and never come near to hurting me me while we were all close packed shoulder to shoulder - inching ourselves out of that mess I got us into...but we were a team and had a mini party once we got back to the barn and every step of the way I was congratuling them for being such great boys back to the barn! I miss those two boys and its hard to work w/other horses as they are never as well trained as my two were...

 

[purplebaby]

i am such a dope every time i see this thread i think MOTORCYCLES!

i am jealous of horse people, horses are so beautiful but they scare me!
motorcycles, however i do ride even in winter except snow and ice.

 

[patandchickens]

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'Sokay, I think motorcycles are so beautiful but they scare me, and I would not wanna ride one in winter

LOL


Pat

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Ha ha Ha ...My hubby would much rather ride his bike in "our " winter time in Florida....
Pat he was like you with Horses...when the kids were babes he didnt ride that much...but now that there older he rides his bike more often..even with them on the back.....well when he's not workin' .