Cold Weather - Warm Up
Now that fall feels like winter, it's time to dig your warm weather clothes out of the back of the closet.
You prepare for the cold, and you need to do the same for your horse.
Taking into consideration the changes in your horse and the environment can make a big difference in how the two of you enjoy your wintertime rides.
Your horse's long hair can hide dirt and our insidious foe, rain rot.
Dig deep with your grooming equipment to make sure nothing is lurking on your horse's skin that could cause irritation once the saddle is on.
Long hair also means adjustments may need to be made to your cinch and girth straps.
Some horses add a good inch or two of bulk from their winter coats alone.
Also, give your horse's coat time to compress before you get in the saddle.
What seems like a properly adjusted cinch may quickly become too loose once all of your horse's hair is matted down.
Coldness can also cause some saddle pads to freeze up.
Especially foam-types may harden and need a couple of minutes to become flexible and take their normal shape.
Gel pads can absorb the chill.
Take a minute or two and walk your horse around a bit to make sure the pad has warmed up.
Do a final tightening if the pad has softened and compressed before you climb on.
Another piece of equipment that soaks up the cold is your horse's metal bit.
Your horse will definitely become bit-phobic if you try putting the equivalent of an ice cube in his mouth on an already frigid day.
Take a couple of minutes to warm the bit in your hands.
If your hands are too cold to do the trick, stuff it in your jacket or set it in front of a heater until it's reached a comfortable temperature for your horse.
Your horse's body is affected by the cool air as well.
Before you set out take into consideration that your horse's muscles may not be warm enough to handle a normal workload.
Especially if you're going for a ride in the morning, your horse may have been pretty inactive during the night.
A vigorous grooming is a good start for getting his circulation moving.
Once in the saddle, spend at least 10 minutes of relaxed but energetic walking to get the blood moving to all his muscles and to help stretch tight tendons and flex cold-stiffened joints.
Then take the warm up to the next level with some relaxed trotting or gaiting before asking for complex maneuvers, traveling over rough terrain, or climbing or descending steep hills.
Also be prepared for your horse to wake up as he warms up.
Some horses feel spunkier in cooler temperatures, even more so if there's a brisk breeze, and need play time on a lunge line before getting to work.
Consider the effects of the temperature when you get ready to ride, for you and your horse's enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
You prepare for the cold, and you need to do the same for your horse.
Taking into consideration the changes in your horse and the environment can make a big difference in how the two of you enjoy your wintertime rides.
Your horse's long hair can hide dirt and our insidious foe, rain rot.
Dig deep with your grooming equipment to make sure nothing is lurking on your horse's skin that could cause irritation once the saddle is on.
Long hair also means adjustments may need to be made to your cinch and girth straps.
Some horses add a good inch or two of bulk from their winter coats alone.
Also, give your horse's coat time to compress before you get in the saddle.
What seems like a properly adjusted cinch may quickly become too loose once all of your horse's hair is matted down.
Coldness can also cause some saddle pads to freeze up.
Especially foam-types may harden and need a couple of minutes to become flexible and take their normal shape.
Gel pads can absorb the chill.
Take a minute or two and walk your horse around a bit to make sure the pad has warmed up.
Do a final tightening if the pad has softened and compressed before you climb on.
Another piece of equipment that soaks up the cold is your horse's metal bit.
Your horse will definitely become bit-phobic if you try putting the equivalent of an ice cube in his mouth on an already frigid day.
Take a couple of minutes to warm the bit in your hands.
If your hands are too cold to do the trick, stuff it in your jacket or set it in front of a heater until it's reached a comfortable temperature for your horse.
Your horse's body is affected by the cool air as well.
Before you set out take into consideration that your horse's muscles may not be warm enough to handle a normal workload.
Especially if you're going for a ride in the morning, your horse may have been pretty inactive during the night.
A vigorous grooming is a good start for getting his circulation moving.
Once in the saddle, spend at least 10 minutes of relaxed but energetic walking to get the blood moving to all his muscles and to help stretch tight tendons and flex cold-stiffened joints.
Then take the warm up to the next level with some relaxed trotting or gaiting before asking for complex maneuvers, traveling over rough terrain, or climbing or descending steep hills.
Also be prepared for your horse to wake up as he warms up.
Some horses feel spunkier in cooler temperatures, even more so if there's a brisk breeze, and need play time on a lunge line before getting to work.
Consider the effects of the temperature when you get ready to ride, for you and your horse's enjoyment, comfort, and safety.
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