Riding during the winter brings a different set of challenges than riding in other seasons. The cold can cause colic, founder and many other health issues for your horse.
Whether riding inside or out, here are a few tips to keep you and your horse healthy and safe during winter:
Dress for the weather -- and dress in layers. You may get warm while riding, but when tacking up or cooling out your horse your body temperature can cool down very quickly. Most tack stores offer a variety of winter riding gear to help you keep warm.
Stepping off a horse onto cold feet hurts a lot. I suggest waterproof winter riding boots with warm linings. Wool socks or layers of socks also will help keep your feet warm.
Winter riding breeches are great, especially insulated or fleece. When choosing a jacket, try to find one that fits close to the body and does not have loose pieces which can get caught on tack. Gloves are also important and should be insulated but still allow the rider to use his or her fingers to tack up the horse and feel the reins when riding.
Warm up your horse. The most important parts of riding during winter are the warm up and cool down. Because the horses are out in the cold, their muscles will be cold and possibly stiff, and will need extra time to warm up and stretch. Warm up will be longer and should involve stretching and loosening exercises. Lots of walking and lateral work, if done uncollected, are great ways to help the horse warm up.
If the horse is especially cold, riders can use a quarter sheet draped over the horse's hindquarters. This will help keep the body heat near the horse and help the muscles warm up faster. This should only be used for warming up and cooling down, not while working.
Be careful on the trail. When trailering, you may need blankets on the way to the trailhead if you horse is usually kept in a stall or heated barn.
Trail riding during winter comes with the same warnings as riding in general. Riders should be prepared for sudden weather changes and drops in temperature. As soon as the sun starts setting, the temperature drops very quickly -- especially in Colorado. Riders should plan to be back before sunset or bring extra jackets.
Be careful about letting the horse drink water along the trail. If a warm horse drinks icy-cold water, it can colic or founder very easily. This is also true for allowing your horse to drink when you return to the trailer; it is best to let the animal fully cool down before it drinks water or eats.
If the horse is warm or sweaty when you return to the trailer, put the cooler on for the trailer ride home and groom the horse when you return to the stable.
Cool down your horse. The harder you work your horse, the longer it will take to cool it down. If your time is limited, keep the work easier so the horse does not get as warm. When riding indoors, horses will tend to get warmer and sweat more easily because there is less air movement. This will also be a factor when planning how long you will need for cool down.
Cooling your horse down properly during winter is important for several reasons. If the horse cools down too quickly, it may colic or founder, especially if turned into its stall or pasture where grain and water are available. If a horse is turned out wet from sweat, it may catch cold or may colic as well.
Once you have finished your riding work, walk the horse for at least five minutes under saddle. This allows the horse's heart rate to return to normal and starts the cool-down process. If the horse is still warm or sweaty, unsaddle it and put on a cooler sheet. This sheet will help regulate the horse's body temperature and help absorb sweat. Once the cooler is on, walk the horse or turn it out into the arena to walk on its own.
Check the horse every five minutes or so to see if it has cooled down. Place your hand low on the animal's chest, between its front legs. If the horse has fully cooled down, this area should be the same temperature as the rest of its body -- and also should be dry, not sweaty. That dryness is especially important if the horse wears a blanket; if the blanket is put on while the horse is still wet, it can't keep the horse warm or allow it to dry off.
Once the horse is fully cooled down, go through your usual grooming routine and then blanket the horse as needed. The horse can then be put into its stall or pasture to eat and drink.
Especially if you ride hard and your horse comes back sweaty, make sure it is fully dry and cool before adding blankets and putting it back in its stall.
Stay warm and enjoy your winter rides!
