Riding your horse in
the winter can be a very rewarding experience. There's nothing quite like the
peace and calm of walking your horse through fresh-fallen snow. Nonetheless, riding in winter is different
than riding at other times of the year, and in order for it to be a pleasure
for both you and your horse, here are some things to consider:
It's certainly good to groom your horse, but
in the winter, don't over brush them. Brushing your horse too much before
riding in winter can make the hair lie too flat, and take away some of its
insulating qualities.
Warm up the bit. No horse likes to have a cold or frozen bit
put in their mouth. Take a few minutes
to warm the bit up — keep in the house for awhile, wrap your
hands around it, or even put it in front of a heater. Your horse will be much happier accepting a
warmed-up bit.
Clean the hooves thoroughly before and after
your ride, especially when riding in snow. Your horse can get "snowballs" in
its feet (especially if it has shoes on) that can cause pain and discomfort,
and make it difficult to walk.
Check for ice under the top layer of snow. Many
times, snow will melt and leave a layer of ice under the top layer. This can
cause your horse to slip and can be dangerous for both of
you.
Use caution when cantering. With snow on the ground, all kinds of objects
that can injure your horse can be covered up. It's best just to walk your
horse, especially if you're in an area you aren't familiar with.
Don't work your horse too hard. If your horse
starts sweating too much, it can get chilled when you remove the saddle and
pad.
When your ride is over, let your horse drink,
but only in small amounts. Drinking lots of cold water quickly can cause your
horse to colic.
Winter really can be
a wonderful time for riding. Just make sure you pay attention to the
conditions, the weather and your horse.
