TRAILS

WINTER RIDING TIPS

BY TANIA MILLEN

The key to winter riding is having realistic expectations, staying warm and dry, and – having fun.

It’s that time of year – time to adjust training schedules, horse management practices, and riding attire to reflect winter’s short days, snow, wind, cold temperatures, slippery footing and hairy horses. Not sure how to prepare? Here are some tips.

MANAGE EXPECTATIONS

First, be realistic about what you and your horse can do this winter. Not everyone has access to a heated indoor arena and a schedule that allows them to ride regularly. With intermittent training, both horse and rider lose fitness, strength, flexibility, lung power, and coordination. When that happens, neither horse nor rider can train as long or hard as they did a few months earlier. So it’s logical to lower your expectations for both you and your horse if you’re not in a regular program.

As your horse’s fitness decreases, ease your training plans. Then, as the weather starts warming up, increase your training and conditioning schedule. Alternatively, if you plan to compete throughout the winter, follow a training schedule that maintains and increases your horse’s conditioning. Twolegged and four-legged weekend warriors are prone to injury.

CONSIDER FOOTING AND FEET

Good quality, safe footing is imperative for riding. Both deep snow and hard, frozen ground put horses at risk of injury. Ice can be deadly. So regardless of whether you’re riding inside or out, check the footing first.

If you plan on riding indoors, act now to prevent the footing from freezing or becoming dusty. Salt supplements such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are common, along with oils, or consider replacing footing with rubber products.

If you plan to ride outdoors, speak with your farrier about winter shoeing options. Many riders leave their horses barefoot

in winter, but for those who need extra grip or protection, caulked shoes with winter pads may be best.

CHOOSE TO CLIP, BLANKET, OR NOT

Most horses grow substantial winter coats if left unblanketed. That’s great if your horse lives outside all winter, or you only go for the occasional ride outdoors in fair weather. It’s not so great if you plan to continue training or will be riding in a heated indoor arena.

If you don’t want your horse to grow a winter coat, start blanketing early. Keeping your horse warm will decrease the hair growth. As the weather gets colder, multiple blanket layers may be necessary. Use a nylon-lined blanket as a base layer to prevent rubbing, then a weatherproof outer layer to keep your horse dry. High neck and full neck blankets help keep horses warmer and cleaner.

If your horse is sweating while working, consider clipping where he sweats. Clipping allows horses to regulate their temperature and prevent overheating, dehydration, decreased performance and illness. Many performance horses are fully clipped but most horses don’t need to be. A simple trace or blanket style clip is often all that’s necessary. Depending on the horse and their activities, it’s common to clip in late November and again in early February. Before clipping, ensure you have enough blankets to keep your horse warm in all weather conditions.

It is possible to continue to enjoy riding during colder temperatures – it just takes some proper planning and clothing appropriate for the weather.

EXTEND YOUR WARM-UP AND COOL-DOWN

Horses stand around more in cold weather and that means they need a longer warm-up. Ten minutes of walking is the minimum time required for joint fluid to fully lubricate a horse’s joints. Working at faster speed – trot or canter – before joints are lubricated contributes to arthritis. Cold horses also need additional time to warm up their muscles, tendons, and ligaments, so plan to walk for 15 to 20 minutes at the beginning of every winter ride.

Due to the temperature differences between a warm horse and the cold outdoors, horses need a longer cool-down too. Hand-walking with tack removed and a wool or fleece cooler works well. Horses must be cooled off before blanketing to prevent overheating, sweating, and becoming chilled. Turning out a warm or sweaty horse into frigid temperatures is a recipe for illness, muscle injuries and colic.

SLOW DOWN WHEN IT’S COLD

As the weather gets colder, the air gets drier, increasing the potential for irritated airways. Just as riders can suffer from cold-induced airway inflammation, horses can also be affected. When they breathe in, the air warms up before it reaches their lungs. But when horses breathe in quickly – when being ridden at trot and canter – there isn’t time for the air to warm up sufficiently. As a result, their lungs may become inflamed and airways constricted.

A veterinary study at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that horses’ lungs can be damaged at a relatively warm 5 C. Cough, exercise intolerance and increased nasal discharge (mucus) are all indications of horses suffering from inflamed airways. Riding at slower speeds, asking for less effort and training in a heated arena can help prevent lung damage in cold weather. If it’s too cold to ride, consider groundwork exercises that work on core strength and coordination.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Riders fortunate to ride in heated indoor arenas can simply wear their usual attire. Those braving unheated arenas or outdoor weather need to consider a hat or helmet with a warmer, neck tube, or scarf (tucked away so it doesn’t get caught), layered jackets, gloves, layered pants and warm boots. Just make sure your stirrups are wide enough so your winter boots won’t get stuck in them. One-piece snowmobile suits also work well when riding in frigid temperatures. Riding skirts are another option.

Consider your horse, too. Using a quarter-sheet while riding will keep your horse’s back muscles warm and encourage better performance, particularly if they’re clipped. If your horse dislikes having frigid metal touching his lips and is safe to ride without a bit, use a different bridle on cold days. In miserable weather, some riders tack up then put a winter blanket on top for both horse and rider warmth. Riding bareback is another option.

Essentially, the key to winter riding is having realistic expectations, staying warm and dry, and – having fun. Enjoy the season! AB