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!

 

 

In The Summer Time ~ When The Weather is Fine

Horses love to play in the snow

 

It's easy to understand the pleasures of riding horses out and about the trails and working in the arena during warm summer months. Winter - not so much, unless you are blessed to live in an temperate climate where the sun shines and temperatures don't plummet to the negative numbers.

Horses being the wonderful creatures they are, are perfectly content to live outside 24/7 especially if provided with some form of shelter from driving wind/rain/snow. Randomly as their nature dictates, they rarely utilize the shelter of a run-in shed during the coldest of winter weather. But provision of the option to seek refuge from harsh weather makes the equine owner feel better. At least it's there if they want it!

 

An indoor arena is a boon

There is much discussion about whether it is prudent to force horses to exercise under the direction of a rider during very cold weather. The balance between respiratory damage that may be caused by forced exertion that opens up the airways of the horse and subjects the lung tissue to cold temperatures versus the need to keep the horse fit and exercised, joints moving etc., is a delicate topic.

The key to understanding the cause and effect of damage that could be caused, either temporarily or permanently to the lung tissue of the horse (and possibly also the rider), first requires an understanding of how the respiratory system in the horse is constructed and what Mother Nature has built into the system to warm cold air that is inhaled.

Cold weather riding doesn't just affect the respiratory system, it can also negatively impact the musculature, joints and tendons, feet and heart.

Here is a good summary of important factors to consider and how to determine your horse's individual risk based on not just the temperature, but the difference in temperature from what you horse is used to depending on the region in the U.S.A. where you live.

Dehydration, chill from sweat icing on the horse's coat and many other factors should be carefully evaluated before heading out to ride.

Sometimes a day off for the horse or a diminished work out that does not require as much exertion as the horse is used are better options than riding the horse for the sake of feeling guilty for pausing or halting the schedule of training.

Even pregnant mares love to play in the snow

 

For horse business owners that rely on income from lessons given at the barn, the likelihood is that very cold weather will result in cancellations of booked activities from clients. To counter this downturn in sales creative horse related activities can be substituted that still provide value for the client but involve less hardship on the horse.

For example, while it may be brutally cold outside with wind chill factors chiming in to deter even the hardiest of individuals from working outside (indeed frostbite might be a real risk), the interior of the barn is usually warm enough to offer a place to work with the horse. Kids can be taught handling and grooming lessons, office or tack room space can be utilized as an educational space for horse movies, games and Pony Club/4H style lessons on tack cleaning, leg wrapping and basic first aid techniques. 

If the facility offers and indoor arena obviously there are more options to ride available. If mounted sessions are not viable consider doing some ground work such as obstacle training and activities that are less taxing on the horse's metabolic system.

For both horse and human proper equipment to keep both warm and to avoid injury from slipping on frozen or wet slippery surfaces is essential for the well-being of both parties in extreme weather.

The transition from one place to another, such as a relatively warm stall to a cold metal indoor, requires careful warm up and cool down times. The length of both should be extended from the norm on cold weather days. This will help give the horse's joints and tendons time to warm up and as a result there will be less chance of sustaining an injury. Handwalking your horse both before and after riding is a good idea in any weather, but is especially important in cold weather.

Always put your horse's needs first

The age and fitness of the horse and rider should also be considered in the equation. Obviously an older horse will be stiffer and will likely suffer from arthritis, while a younger horse may exhibit excitement and exuberance from forced confinement and be hard to control. The work schedule and activities for the horse should be tailored to suit his individual needs.

All that being said, riding in the snow and keeping active during the cold weather is lots of fun and can be very productive.So don't be guilty about taking a day off, but don't overlook the benefits of getting off the couch and hitting the boarding barn, even if you are not a daily caregiver for the horse and required to be there!

 

 

Winter Horse Training Works Wonders

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. 

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! 

My late Grand Prix Horse Charlie and I - always working to keep fit!