With a foot of snow dropping in Virginia, it’s official. It’s winter, my least favorite time of year. I don’t like being cold, I don’t like the wind, and I hate emerging from my carefully crafted nest (I’m part hamster.) I do like cute winter clothes though, so I guess there is a positive.
Winter is not fun for horseback riding. Horses might need special shoes for the snow, they can get especially frisky, and they also hate the wind, Stu mentioned this one to me specifically. (by acting like a crazy horse.)
With all that, it can be hard to get out to the barn to ride. If you too are struggling with getting out there, here are some things that help me.
Remember Your Goals
This one is probably the biggest. The pain is worth the gain.
If I don’t get out and ride Stu, he’s not going to advance. I’m going to keep having struggling, green horse rides. I want to actually get out and accomplish things next year (my goals are a whole different post I’m working on). If I don’t force myself out there, I’m putting myself back on getting to my goals. I’ll basically be starting at zero. Again.
Think about what you have planned for the spring. Are you going to be showing? Going on trail rides? Attending a clinic with a big name trainer? Your future self will thank you for spending the winter preparing for whatever adventures you’re going to have in better weather.
Bundle Up
You won’t worry about the weather if you can’t feel it! It’s true what they say, there’s no bad weather, only terrible clothing choices. If they can survive on Mt Everest, you can survive going to the barn. (aside from those who don’t. But I think that’s more an oxygen issue than clothing choices.)
Try a fleece base layer (I’m in love with these shirts, I have them in multiple colors and I wear them all the time!) and put on lots of layers. The layering is important, as you’re likely going to warm up once you’re in the saddle – You’ll want to be able to remove them, or you’ll be suffering in another way.
A piece you might forget about is your neck. Covering that will warm you up so much. I’ve been very excited about wearing this piece from my friend’s company, Sync Equestrian. It is so warm! I’m wearing it everywhere. It’s an interesting design because it pulls up fully over your head, or it has a flap to just cover your lowered face. It’s seriously a game changer.
They sold out before, so I don’t know when they will be restocked, but grab one if you can!
Peer Pressure Yourself
Choose a barn friend and set a reoccurring weekly date to show up at the barn. You don’t want to disappoint your friend, do you?? You’d better not, they are counting on you. Get bundled up and get out there!
Heck, do it with multiple barn friends for rotating days. You aren’t cheating on anyone, it’s okay to make the rounds. Set up weekly challenges for yourselves. Can you set up a little course for everyone to do? What about calling each other’s dressage tests? Set up some obstacles from Working Equitation or trail stuff. Maybe some bareback rides? Pretend you’re 13 year old barn rats again, except now you’re adult (I assume…?) so you can slip a flask into your vest. Get those creative juices flowing, and aim just to have fun with no pressure. You’ll be itching to get out to the barn.
An alternative to this is just to stick with a weekly lesson, where an instructor guides/forces you through stuff. There will definitely be the pressure to show up, because canceling a lesson feels super awkward. But outside of lessons, I think it’s more fun to be creative and try something you wouldn’t normally try. Or, why not both? Have creative days with your barn friends and lessons!
You know, if you’ve got that magical unlimited time and money. Someone out there surely does.
Board Somewhere with an Indoor
There’s no question in any equestrian’s mind, it’s way easier to ride when there’s an indoor. Shelter from all weather, all the time?! No sense of time to rush you along? Yes please!
If your horses are somewhere without an indoor, see if moving them to a barn with an indoor is an option at all. This option has lots of complications, so think through it carefully. You might have to pay board at two places if you want to keep your spot, or you risk losing it entirely. If you keep them at home, you wouldn’t lose your spot (I’d hope…) but it’ll be a big expense.
But, for less expense but a bit more preparation, there may be barns nearby that offer trailer-in times at their indoors. This may be a way more affordable way to get access to an indoor. I see people ask on Facebook for indoor arena recommendations so it’s not unusual at all. Join some local Facebook horse groups and spread the word you’re looking for an indoor.
Give Yourself a Break
Going against everything on this list, there’s nothing that says you can’t take the winter off. You don’t have to ride if you don’t want to. If you don’t find it fun, then don’t do it, and feel no guilt about it.
There are many big trainers that are known to just pull their horses shoes and let them relax for the winter. They just pick up training again in the spring, no big deal.
Horses also benefit from a bit of a vacation. A horse that’s in work constantly might love just relaxing for a bit.
Don’t feel bad about it. Horses don’t care if they are worked out or not. Only humans care. As long as the horses are still getting exercise from turn out, they are happy just being horses.
Of course, you might be missing out on some incredible winter rides and experiences, but you might also miss being part of the next Horse Whisperer movie (you know the scene), so really, you’re doing yourself a favor.
The weather will change soon enough, and you’ll be back in the saddle.