Wow, it’s so cold but beautiful sunshine. Keeping horses in winter is always a challenge, but frozen water, slippery yards, and frozen ground can make it even more challenging.
Too Cold!
Caring for your horses in bad weather?
What do you do with your horses when the weather conditions make it difficult to exercise or even ensure they are looked after?
Some will keep their horses slightly roughed off over this time of year, whilst others are chasing qualifying scores for championships.
Do our horses care if they are ridden or not?
Whilst exercise is important for our beloved friends, is it worth the risk of going out on black ice, hard ground, or irregular surfaces? I’m lucky that I can turn mine out most of the time (unless we are flooded). Dotty and Polly are currently enjoying the sun outside. We have had our muck heap removed today. Worm counts have been completed, and my next job today will be booking in their vaccinations.
So what do you do with your horses in this weather?
I was surprised that some competitions have been running events this weekend. Even if the arenas are rideable, people have to travel their horses to the venues. This is, of course, a personal choice, and businesses have to make money. However, a bit of goodwill goes a long way in my opinion. Unless you have access to an indoor arena, you will have been lucky if you have managed to ride your horses safely the last few days. Black ice has stayed on our roads all day over the weekend, so, in my opinion, it has not been safe to hack out despite the glorious sunshine.
What can we do with our horses in this weather?
Grooming, stretches, spend more time in the yard with them, grazing in hand if turnout isn’t suitable? Let me know what you do and what your opinions are.
Stay safe and wrap up warm. Happy New Year!
