Living in colder areas of the country brings special challenges for winter horse back riding, especially in areas where snow and ice take over for a few months each year. That doesn't mean that anyone should stop riding simply because of the forces of nature. Riding is good for both you and your horse and should be part of your winter activities.
Preparation - Key to riding horses in winter
Riding in winter means checking out the riding terrain for icy conditions, preparing the horse adequately for the ride, and cooling the hot horse down safely after the ride.
Riding in winter brings up two issues – preparing the horse adequately for the ride, and cooling the hot horse down safely in the cold after the ride, and the following steps will deal with preparation, riding, and post-riding.
Be aware that there is no particular low temperature that bars riding a horse, provided that your horse has adapted to the temperature. That requires regular outings, when it's not too cold for you. Fierce cold winds are not ideal for riding, nor are severe thunderstorms or blizzards, so use your common sense when judging the riding conditions.
It is extremely important to take good care of your horse's hooves in the winter, because the mud can cause serious thrush, and well trimmed hooves have a better grip on icy surfaces than neglected hooves do.
Aim for four to six hours weekly of riding during winter. This is especially important if you're a competition rider, as well as ensuring that young horses get used to the work required of them. Plan well ahead. Winter means longer driving times, longer preparation times, and shorter days. Be aware of the time constraints affecting your ability to ride your horse
Prepare your horse for riding. Even before you get your horse ready for riding, check the terrain and pasture where you plan to ride your horse. Look for ice or deep mud hazards that could cause your horse to slip or trip and make plans to avoid those areas. Add de-icing agents such as salt or sawdust to slippery zones around the stable and tacking areas, gateways and doorways, etc. In terms of the horse:
Warm the bit before you tack up. Run hot water over it, or use a non-toxic hand warmer gel. If you don't have access to either, remove the bit from the bridle and put it in your pocket close to your skin as you prepare everything else. You can also breathe on the bit to warm it. Another alternative is to use a sweet iron bit; this isn't as harsh and doesn't become as cold as normal steel.
Clean out your horse's hooves well. Add a layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves; this will prevent balls of ice and snow from forming in the hooves.
Groom your horse. This is not only good for warming the horse's muscles, but serves as an excellent warm-up workout for you too.
Consider using an exercise sheet to prevent the horse’s muscles from becoming cold while riding. This is especially important for a clipped or thin-skinned horse, or a horse that as been restricted to a stable. Use it while tacking up as well as riding.
Find a clear, clean spot to tack up, where it is not muddy or icy and has good footing. The same requirements apply to the riding area itself.
During riding, take care about where you choose to ride. Pitfalls for riding during winter are varied depending on whether you're riding in snow or in more temperate muddy, cold temperatures. Things to watch out for include:
- Deep snow, especially where it conceals holes, tree wells, and crevices where your horse could slip down.
- Ice. Any ice is potentially dangerous as your horse has no grip or traction.
- Mud. While a little mud is fine, a lot of mud can cause the horse to become bogged, or to trip. Mud can also conceal objects that might harm your horse. Large areas of mud are best avoided.
- Wet slopes. Take care riding a horse down a wet slope, as it is easy to lose grip, especially when going fast, and moving over wet stony or rocky areas.
- Never canter or gallop your horse in snowy, muddy, icy, or slick terrain.
Post riding, cool down your horse properly. This is a time when the horse can get a chill, moving from being very hot and sweaty, to being cold. The following procedures form an important part of sensible post-riding care during winter:
- If his ears are hot, walk him around a bit. Feel his ears again. They should be cool, not cold nor hot. Cold ears mean a cold horse.
- Dry your horse. A wet horse should be dried after riding in winter; there can be snow, rain, and sweat combining to make for a very wet horse. Take a towel in each hand and rub the towels over his coat in circular motions. Roughing the hair up will help dry it faster. If your horse is used to a blow dryer, you might consider using this as well.
- Brush off snow. Any snow that has attached to your horse (especially his legs) should be brushed off. Try to do this outside to prevent taking it indoors where it can melt and become slippery.
- Clean the hooves out and apply another layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to the hooves.
- Brush or curry your horse once he is dry. This will separate the hairs and help to keep him warm, as body heat warms the air between the coat and skin.
- If adding a blanket, make sure it is a breathable blanket that allows water vapor to pass through.
When you return your horse to his stables, barn, or field, ensure that there is adequate food and water. Give him hay to eat, as eating roughage warms him quickly, releasing heat as it's digested. Be sure to check that the drinking water supply is not frozen. Horses will drink more water if it is warmed, reducing their risk of colic brought on by dehydration.
Bank your horse's bedding up against any doors that lead out to the pasture so drafts don't chill him. For horses in temperate winter zones, ensure that there is still access to shelter even when they're left outside, such as a lean-to shed or a grove of trees.