The S-word...SNOW!!! Living in the North where there is lots of it. It gets so cold, sometimes so cold I don't ride my horse for his sake.
Since we live in Canada it's terribly chilly and unrewarding to spend your time at a stable where there is no indoor arena. I had to volunteer at 'Christmas Camp' where the children were getting their Equine Canada certifications. After letting out several horses I went to check the large water bucket. This unappealing blue basket is huge and keep in mind I'm only 4 foot 7. One of the more experienced volunteers offered to help me break up the ice but, wanting to make a good first impression, I turned her down. As I stomped on the thick ice it suddenly snapped and I found myself up to my hip in bone-chilling icy water. As if I need to add this, what I hate about winter is the stable chores!
Winter is a difficult time for me. I have hard time riding since I don't have an indoor arena available. I trail ride, but it is very hard to ride because of the knee deep snow, blistering winds and the dreaded ice that seems to hide under every inch of snow. Other than the not as good ridding, I completely enjoy winter! I let my horse's coat grow nice and long so she needs lots of extra grooming! I love to groom her and she just loves getting her fuzzy coat nice and clean. Overall I wish I had an indoor arena but love going out to the barn on a freezing winter day to snuggle with my fuzzy horse!
I love winter. I love the fresh, crisp air! I love the snow and the icicles(sort of). But I do dread a few things about winter. For one I could do without the frozen water buckets in the mornings when I wash them! Also I don't aprrieciate frozen toes and frozen bits--warming both these things takes FOREVER!!!! And last but definitly not least I don't like my fresh spooky 9 yr. old off the track tb gelding thats spooks at every little snowflake falling off the indoor ring roof!!! But other than that winter is not so bad.
i cant stand snow! which stinks because i live up north. we get lots of snow! its hard to go see my horse. we dont keep her at our house so we board her at another stable. its hard to get out with the bad weather. i hate having frozen toes and fingers1 and trying to warm up bits and the snow falling from the indoor arena. and it deosnt help thats its so small, so only 1 person can ride at a time. so winter can be bad
When the leaves fall and snow comes, I cringe. The wintery weather up north brings snow and sleet that is unsafe for riding, and stable chores that numb my fingers. I think the worst part about it though is carrying water buckets. They slosh all over you, make you FREEZING wet and cold, and often freeze on your clothing. Not to mention, if your gloves aren't ultra waterproof, your hands become instant icicles. YAY!
I LOVE WINTER! the thing that I don't like happens toward the end of winter when the snow gets soft and starts sliding off the roof. Spooking both me and the horse I am riding.
I hat the cold tempatures,ice and mud. I hate the lack of riding time and frozen water buckets. I also don't like chipping through ice to get the barn open.
Well, this is going to be my first winter in horse ownership, so I'm positive that by next spring I am going to have a longer list than I have now. So far, I really can't stand how at 6:00 at night, it's already pitch black and frrreeezzzing!!! I also don't like warming up the bit because it just takes so long. Seriously, I think that my hands are more frozen than the bit! Other than that though, I like the winter and can't wait to go riding in the snow!