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| Horses Love To Play In The Snow |
The magic of riding across freshly fallen snow on a sunny day is an experience every rider should enjoy at least once. The same way that cantering on a sandy beach or galloping across an open grassy field lifts the spirit, winter riding can be fun and exhilarating for both horse and human.
When I was a kid growing up in England one of my unofficial riding tutors was Pam, the owner of the farm next door. An ardent horse lover and accomplished rider, Pam advocated the regular interval training benefits for both horse and rider of a good gallop.
" It cleans out the pipes," she said. Even though her horses were sincerely expensive show hunters, there was no equine that she owned that did not enjoy plenty of turnout and plenty of fast work.
As a horse crazy teen these exciting rides held no worries or concerns about falling off or the horse being hard to handle. A bolting horse was merely a great ride and I learned that as long as you had the space to wait long enough any horse could be brought back under control with some patient cajoling. It sounds ridiculous now of course, as a 'vintage' rider, and a dressage one at that, the idea of bolting around large fields on a 1500 lb animal out of control for periods of time is a dangerous pursuit for all sorts of obvious reasons. But galloping around on horseback in a herd can quickly get out of hand. Ask any foxhunter!
The winter weather in England was never an issue that stopped me riding. Frankly, if you didn't ride in the rain or bad weather you would simply never keep a training program on point. Riding gear included wearing long, almost touching the floor heavy waxed coat that covered you and the saddle and swept across the horse's rump when mounted. Velvet riding caps simply got wet. The rain dripped down your neck, down your boots and without the right riding mackintosh into the saddle from the front. Not comfortable!
Snow however rarely fell. When it did arrive it was an entertainment. Something to be cherished as the country's infrastructure ground to a halt and days off work and school were often given unless the local farmers had the time to plow the country roads out with their tractors. That is no longer an allowed 'help' to the rural community.
Living in the N.E. U.S.A. at an elevation 2000+ feet above sea level on the side of a mountain in the Catskills of Upstate New York, has given me a different perspective on riding in the winter weather.
The temperatures are much colder than the U.K., the snow much deeper and more prevalent, and the winter weather lasts much longer.
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| Winter Riding Tip: Loosening the girth and then handwalking the horse with a cooler is a great way to cool the horse off - the loosened girth allows a slow return of normal blood flow to the horse's back and the cooler will keep the horse from steaming and cooling off too fast. |
If you are lucky enough to own an indoor arena, you might think you are all set for winter riding. There's no doubt that this building offers a sincere advantage over outside ring work or trail riding, although it does come with its own issues. Not that anyone should feel sorry for anyone about that!
Sliding snow melt off the metal roofs can cause an alarming 'airs above the ground' experience for the uninitiated, the footing can become frozen and hard or alternatively dry and dusty if the materials and maintenance are not planned for and executed in a timely manner.
Metal structures that are not insulated can also be cold and damp, and windowless indoors can be dark and depressing unless proper lighting is installed and switched on.
The outside world may be shining brightly with snow, and horse and rider will often still be seen trotting about the indoor at boarding barns, despite the crowded nature of the environment due to overuse at popular riding times such as the weekends.
My advice is avoid that equestrian melee by schooling outside. Powdery snow can offer a great place to practice elevating your piaffe and passage or even collected trot work if you school dressage moves. For the jumper, fences might be out of the question but much flat work for fitness can still be accomplished.
Obviously the horses' hooves must be properly kitted out to avoid slipping with whatever fits best for your type of work and environment. Snow balled up in the hoof can cause both horse and rider injury if the horse slips and falls. Twisted fetlocks and torn ligaments can also occur. There are plenty of options available to mitigate the risks such as hoof pads, borium shoes and even studs. If you have your horse shod ensure your horse's legs are protected from injury with protective boots made of material that will not hold water.
Barefoot horses should be kept well-trimmed so as the hoof wall does not become long enough to hold snow and ice, and a spray with a non-toxic oil or application of wax to the sole of the foot can help defray snow packing in the hoof. Be careful to avoid the hoof wall during application, as this can cause the horse to slip.
Trail riding in the snow can be tremendous fun but you do need to take due care to stay safe.
It is best to stick to trails you know well so you can be sure to avoid drifts or snow banks that may hide obstacles that could damage your horse. Don't ride on trails during hunting season or late at night/early in the morning when the light is poor.
Moonlit riding is a lovely experience, but stay close to home, hopefully on your own property.
I once fell in a giant hole hidden beneath the snow that was the left by the forest management team that had extracted several trees including the trees' root balls, by the side of an icy trail. The hole that remained had been covered in soil but not compacted.
My horse fell on his side in the hole, with me beneath him. The soft soil saved me from injury. He carefully extricated himself while I still held onto his reins. My tall boot saved me from a twisted ankle as he pulled me around. I used his legs to pull myself up out of the hole! We were both shaken up but not hurt, and I remounted him and we walked home both feeling both relieved and tense.
Needless to say, avoid icy trails and always ride in company. Take a cell phone for communication or hand held device such as a walkie-talkie if no cell service is available (kids' radio style walkie talkies can reach a decent distance and there are other options on the market that reach much farther).
It is also a good idea to carry a fold up hoof pick just in case you need to dismount and remove a snow pack from a hoof.
Always let others know when and where you are going and when you expect to return. And then stick to that plan.
Riding in cold weather also requires extra special attention to the horse's well-being in terms of lung health and hydration factors. When temperatures dip below freezing the respiratory system can be taxed especially if the horse is older or if the work is intense. Exercise opens up the alveoli in the lungs of both horse and human to facilitate a better oxygen exchange to the blood. In this state the small ciliary hairs are exposed to the cold air and can become damaged.
Dress well to avoid frostbite and don't ride on days where wind chill is an issue. Being wet and cold is definitely the fastest way to experience hypothermia.
Once you return to the barn ensure you put your horse away dry and comfortable. When riding slow warm up and cool down times are a must, and never leave a hot horse steaming in cold weather. Sweat sheets under a warm blanket or coolers can help dry the horse until he is completely fluffed up and ready for either a dry blanket or to go without.
With careful management riding in the snow can be a truly magical experience. A 3 or 4 inch cover of snow can help help to keep the horse fit, as he has to work harder to make each step. It is also a great photo opportunity to show off your equine partner!
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| My late Grand Prix Horse Charlie and I - always working to keep fit! |
