HI Spy: As a Horse Lover, What Do You Dread Most About Winter?

Oh, the weather outside may be frightful, but the horses we care about still need our attention. There are stalls to be mucked, blankets that require adjusting and water troughs that must be kept ice free. And let’s not forget all the hairy horses caked with mud. They’re in desperate need of 15 minutes with a curry comb. Isn’t wintertime wonderful?

Much of the country deals with snow, which can be a chilly challenge if you’re determined to ride. One of your first concerns is figuring out how many layers of clothes are required to thwart frostbite while still allowing you to feel your horse beneath you. Then, do you dare deal with frozen ground and slippery ice? Or are you among the lucky riders who have access to an indoor arena? That setting can present its own problems, however. Many a horse has spooked when icicles break free from the eaves and shatter on the ground. Nothing gets your blood pumping like trying to stay aboard a frisky horse that’s launched into a crow-hopping frenzy!

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Horse lovers outside the snowy regions face a pair of seasonal nemeses: wind and rain. Just when you think you can saddle up and go for a ride, Mother Nature whips up a windstorm that threatens to rip the roof off the tack room. That pretty much cancels out any saddle time, because it can be suicidal to ride when stuff is blowing through the air like the twister scene in The Wizard of Oz. Dodging raindrops isn’t any more pleasant. Are you a soggy soul who has to tramp through mud to toss hay to your horses? Do you keep a running tally of how many shoes your horse has pulled from cavorting in fetlock-deep mud?

For the majority of horse lovers, winter is a season that must be endured. We just resign ourselves to the long, dark wait before the first warm rays of spring sunshine. But before you settle in to your parkas and raingear, we’d like to know what you consider the worst aspects of wintertime around the barn. Is there a particular chore that’s made “extra special” thanks to the weather? Are you incredibly frustrated by the enforced lack of riding time? Do you look at your favorite horse’s coat (not to mention his tail) and cringe at the hours of grooming awaiting you? Sip some hot cocoa and let your fellow Horse Channel readers know how winter impacts your horsey life. Reveal what you dread most about the season. Just click on Submit a Comment below and begin typing, providing your fingers aren’t frostbitten. Some of the responses may appear in Horse Illustrated.

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15 years ago

Cindy Hale

Cindy Hale’s life with horses has been filled with variety. As a child she rode western and learned to barrel race. Then she worked as a groom for a show barn, and was taught to harness and drive Welsh ponies. But once she’d taken her first lessons aboard American Saddlebreds she was hooked on English riding. Hunters and hunt seat equitation came next, and she spent decades competing in those divisions on the West Coast. Always seeking to improve her horsemanship, she rode in clinics conducted by world-class riders like George Morris, Kathy Kusner and Anne Kursinski. During that time, her family began raising Thoroughbred and warmblood sport horses, and Cindy experienced the thrills and challenges of training and showing the homebred greenies. Now retired from active competition, she’s a popular judge at local and county-rated open and hunter/jumper shows. She rides recreationally both English and western. Her Paint gelding, Wally, lives at home with her and her non-horsey husband, Ron.

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View Comments

Tally says:
November 12, 2009 at 4:49 am
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.
Catherine says:
November 12, 2009 at 10:48 am
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!
Emma says:
November 12, 2009 at 3:06 pm
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!
hsghshsfhdfh says:
November 12, 2009 at 4:33 pm
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.
miah says:
November 12, 2009 at 4:59 pm
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
Saphierre says:
November 12, 2009 at 5:44 pm
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!
Keely says:
November 12, 2009 at 7:27 pm
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.
Katie says:
November 13, 2009 at 7:18 am
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.
Mary says:
November 13, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I can't stand chipping away at frozen sawdust piles, and my frozen toes and fingers when I ride! :)
Christine says:
November 13, 2009 at 5:58 pm
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!