Winter Horse Training Tips 

 

When winter finally arrives - and it will - motivation to keep your horses in full training can often wane. 

 

There are many stellar reasons to take a step back and modify the training schedule. Not just you, but also your horses would likely appreciate an abbreviated work program. One that allows them some respite and downtime to refresh. 

 

In the North-East U.S.A, inclement weather often makes for a slip/slide affair on outside arenas. Those blessed with access to an indoor arena are obviously much more inclined to keep a full work program on point than those folks that need to work around snow and ice and dark evenings with no lights outside.

Professional trainers will often opt for heading South, Florida and South Carolina being the most popular destinations. You only have to look at the events calendar on our publication to see that the Florida Winter Circuit is already to go. With just a small list of local events to attend, the page is full of tempting sunny locations for winter work and competition.

Horses do seem to actually love the winter. And do enjoy keeping some level of activity up under saddle to keep their minds busy and bodies active.

Willowview Hill Farm, located in Stamford NY, keeps all horses in training all winter long. And even Grand Prix horses like this one enjoy long turnouts.

But what training can you do to keep your horses ticking over during winter months and how best can you take advantage of the quieter moments on the farm? Here are some tips on how to accomplish that - 

Winter is....

 

A great time to train your young horses to longe and free longe. Boot and wrap them if needs be to avoid injury from slipping over or catching a hoof with a shoe, but get them active.

 

 

 

An opportunity to take advantage of breaks in the weather to get out in the fields and ride. The fresh air is good for the lungs for both horse and rider. The horse has a long neck so cold air is not a big problem for the healthy horse.

Often a peaceful time at the barn - these quieter times offer more opportunity for training new tasks where the horse can focus wholly on the rider, without interruption from others using the space. Try and pick those very quiet times for best results. Added bonus, it is always good for any horse to be used to working in a space alone versus company.

Winter is also a great time for social equine horse events that include a good dose of education. Here our very own publisher, Horse in a Kilt Media's Paul Alvin-Smith - Grand Prix dressage trainer, is training an ANCCE Andalusian stallion at home 

(above photo) and also can be found out and about regularl giving clinics (below photos).

 

Always park your horse trailer in a handy, accessible location and keep the snow plowed out for easy hook up. Even if you are not going to a clinic it is always important to have it handy in case of an emergency.

Don't forget to clear the 'clutter' from horse areas, especially those where you plan to exercise your horse. Safety first!

Take advantage of winter riding gear to ensure you are comfortable temperature wise - otherwise you will be tense when you ride and that will translate into a tense horse beneath you. Insulated/heated riding boots, heated vests/jackets, ear warmers and of course, gloves!

 

 

Get Out And Trail Ride The Beautiful 26 Mile Catskill Scenic Trail

 

The wonderful world of trail riding is a great place to get out and actually train your horse, as well as perfect for just relaxing and spending time with your equine partner and equestrian friends and family. 

In our neighborhood here in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of New York, there is lots going on (learn more about that here!)  and horsey lifestyles are certainly one of them, along with attractions such as rental trail horse-riding locations and the highest caliber professional horse trainers in specific disciplines such as showjumping, reining and dressage that include national and international level equestrians. 

So truly, the region is further developing into a horse-oriented area alongside its base as a traditional farming community with lots of fantastic benefits of rural lifestyle living. 

The 26-mile well-kept Catskill Scenic Trail, has an interesting history as a train route. Today it is a tranquil and pretty route that folks from all walks of life can enjoy. It winds provocatively through quaint villages, vintage farms and archways of tree lined dappled light and is an asset to the community.

The Catskill Scenic Trail is open to all to use, and has some convenient off-road locations to park up your rig and saddle up to hit the trail if you aren't lucky enough to live within hacking distance of the 26 mile adventure. 

 

 

The route runs from Roxbury, NY on Rt 30, through to Bloomville, NY on Rt 10, traversing through many farms and private landowners properties of both big and small acreage, and meanders through villages such as the 'Queen of the Catskills' and this author's hometown, Stamford. 

There are lots of convenient places to grab an ice-cream or a cool beverage or even hot breakfast. And at one rather cool place, Catskill Junction in Stamford, a thoughtful ownership even offer a water bucket for the horse as well as a canteen fill up for the equestrian.

Stamford's summer activities are fairly extensive, from the prized golf course at Harmony Hill Road to the Summer Concert Series on the village green, there is plenty for other family members to enjoy if they are not interested in the horse side of life.

At present the trail owners/management have withstood the barrage of requests to open the trail to motorized equipment keeping it safe for pedestrians and equestrians to enjoy. Many local residents use it for dog walking or fitness running. Only in winter are snowmobiles granted access. 

The advent of ATVs/UTVs/SXS or motorized bikes being granted access is always a double-edged sword and would likely forever impact and change the peace and quiet and safety that can be enjoyed there. So kudos to the team that manages the trail for sending out a survey and adhering to the preferences of the majority who apparently wish to see it kept as a peaceful trail of scenic beauty and value its merit without traffic.

Certainly aggressive tires of vehicular traffic would muddy and rut the trail, as well as likely cause a nuisance to the landowners alongside the property and upset other peace seeking users and neighbors alike with their noise and fast pace. And its possible that motorized vehicle users would soon become bored with the trail and wander off on private property, which might necessitate the trail being fenced where it runs through private lands or start driving on Town roads in areas where ATV/UTVs are not allowed to run on the road.

There are always moves afoot to gain a hold of the trail use for other pastimes. Privately run clubs like the 607 Riders offer to monitor set events for the opportunity to use the trail, and there is also a case to be made to occasionally share the trail if the clubs are prepared to repair damage caused by their use at specific dates and given that public announcements would be broadcast well in advance to help alley and fears other users might have about bumping into hundreds of ATV/UTV units coming their way along the trail. For a horse, such a meeting would be quite overwhelming and for a carriage horse in harness, could cause sincere upset if it was required to halt for the required lengthy period to allow the multitude of machines to pass.

Give the trail a look. It's well worth the effort to transport your horse there. It has shady aspects and some good places to pick up pace too. There are a few gates to navigate around that the mounted rider can easily access without obstacle. Driving a carriage? That is possible too. But call in advance to get the access to gates or else you'll be disappointed and likely a bit 'stuck' in the traces. The map details where the gates are placed.

A full article detailing the trail and its history may be covered by "The Merry Band at The Catskill Horse," magazine this summer. We have reached out to the trail management to see if they'd like to participate. But meantime the Catskill Scenic Trail website has a wealth of information for the visitor that addresses all the frequently asked questions. 

And please peeps, don't leave your litter behind and do other users of the trail the courtesy of standing your horse off on the side of the trail on the grass to pass manure.

All you should leave behind are hoofprints!