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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Please Partcipate in our Gaited Horse Polls & Surveys! Start your own! > Gaited horse polls and surveys > What's the lowest temperatur you ride in? |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Please Partcipate in our Gaited Horse Polls & Surveys! Start your own! > Gaited horse polls and surveys > What's the lowest temperatur you ride in? |
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| What's the lowest temperatur you ride in? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 01:42 pm |
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1st Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member 
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I really want to go ride. It's only supposed to get up to 18 degrees here today. Last year was the first year I started riding when it was in the 20's. I got my first horse in '05 and that's when I started riding in the winter on a regular basis. But, anything below freezing was too cold for me. But, last year I bought lots of winter weather riding gear and braved the 20's to ride my horses. This year should I try to brave the teens? I cleaned and oiled my new English saddle yesterday. And my thoroughbred, Smokey always has so much get-up-and-go when it gets nice and cold! The question is, do I? I know he'll be filthy. I swear he's related to pigs! He's always covered in mud if there's mud to be found. And this weekend it briefly touched the 50's so I know he's covered in mud. It will take me at LEAST an hour just to get him ridable! Although brushing all that mud off and picking those wet, heavy hooves always warms me up. I guess it can't hurt to try. . .if I get cold, I start my car, put him back out in his field (after making sure he's nice and dry of course) and go home. It's only a 15 minute drive and I have nothing else to do today except for some housework. I'm sure he'll look something like this! http://lh4.ggpht.com/_51FqmWODU-Q/TQYvF3Q6Y8I/AAAAAAAAAUc/AaI-yI8TbHE/s640/016.JPG http://lh5.ggpht.com/_51FqmWODU-Q/TQYvGW2dapI/AAAAAAAAAUg/0QBmlGLK4to/s640/017.JPG
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 02:43 pm |
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2nd Post |
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GypsySusan G.O.G Community Member 
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Go for it - just make sure he's hydrated (and you too). Be careful of icey conditions any where and take your time. He's not in the top condition and obviously shouldn't be doing too much gaiting or running. Just go for a hack and enjoy the crisp, clean air and the inherently stark beauty of the area. Be careful when grooming to not disturb his "waxy" buildup on the skin - that's his wet and cold protection. In fact, I'd only groom his saddle and bridle area and that not too deeply and his feet. Make sure you don't overgirth with his extra thick layer of hair. If he gets overheated, blanket and walk him dry. Oh, and give him hugs from us because he's a good boy. Ride 'em, GF. Take pictures if you can so we can go with you.
____________________ Susan http://www.gypsytrotters.com Phil 4:11-13, 19 Missouri Fox Trotters: To Ride One... Is to Own One. |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 02:48 pm |
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3rd Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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We don't have trails, just and indoor arena. With my TB, when he's muddy I brush the whole horse to get the mud off and let his coat fluff up. That mud weighs it down so much! But, he seems to like it. And if I don't knock of all the mud, he'd be in mud armor by the end of the winter! I'm still inside at my computer though. I see the sun, so maybe we might hit 20 after all!
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 03:00 pm |
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4th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member 
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I live in Michigan and our rule of thumb is 20 and below we don't go. If you go out and take a deep breath and it hurts your lungs....it will hurt his too. Especially if you are going to be doing anything other than walking. But if you want to go for a nice walk and you're bundled up....why not....just keep in mind that it's just like you going out for a jog....do the deep breath test.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 07:43 pm |
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5th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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Actually, it didn't feel too cold out. Guess the wind wasn't blowing quite as hard as they said. And the sun was shining, which always helps put a smile on my face. We just had a short, 20 minute ride in the indoor arena. Warmed up at a walk, did some light trotting and bending both directions, and cooled down. Smokey didn't even break a sweat of course. But, when I unsaddled him I brushed him off and threw a sheet on him anyways just to let him warm up a bit. Then, I gave him a handful of sweet feed and put him back out with his brothers. They had a blast running around the field and played for several minutes before going back to the round bale. I'm glad I went out! I got some great pictures too! http://picasaweb.google.com/Tina3Horses/PonySnowDay12132010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMDe85SKieHihgE&feat=directlink
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 10:13 pm |
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6th Post |
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TessieBAgain G.O.G Community Member 
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Yikes! The lowest temp I ride is 45 when the sun is shining and the wind is not blowing! I'm a wimp, I know.
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 11:12 pm |
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7th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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Good for you Tina! Sounds like you did everything right and had a great time! Love the pics! Barbi
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13th, 2010 11:23 pm |
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8th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand 
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I am a wimp too, but it comes with the age thing. If it is not 38 and sunny I won't go and then I am so bundled up I can hardly move. Bought a new helmet cozy this year so that will help. I love your pictures!
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14th, 2010 02:04 pm |
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9th Post |
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iceponymom G.O.G Community Member 
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My outdoor winter riding depends on the wind chill factor. If I can't breathe after bringing Logi in from his turn out field, we stay in the indoor. If I have no trouble, we go for a trail ride. After all, he's from Iceland - this is his time of year! IPM
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14th, 2010 02:51 pm |
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10th Post |
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GoinGaited G.O.G Community Member 
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Is that one picture called "taking care of business"?? Cuz they're BOTH doing 'it'! l1l1l1l1
____________________ Life is short, so ENJOY the RIDE! |
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14th, 2010 03:01 pm |
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11th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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Those are my two Rockies. And I saw Sonny, the blonde one, getting ready to pee and thought to myself "How many pictures do I have of my horses peeing? None. And how many people have pictures of horses peeing at all? Not many probably." So, I took the picture. It was just a bonus that Deacon was taking a poop too! Guess that's just my sense of humor!
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 03:00 am |
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12th Post |
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ladysrider G.O.G Community Member 
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I noticed that your horses don't have blankets. Not criticizing. Most people here use blankets in the winter. I do it because of all the rain and cold temps, and I suspect most of the other people do it for the same reason. Do other people on this message board in the areas of the country where it doesn't rain all winter use blankets or not? Or do you take them off in the morning and put them back on at night?
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 04:50 am |
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13th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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Don't use blankets. Temperature is supposed to be 18 tonight, but the horses do well in cold weather. They can go into their barn when they want, and really seem happier in the cold then in the heat and humidity of summer. If I do ride when it's cold I put a lightweight fleece blanket on Sam when I unsaddle him to let the wet back dry off, but that's it. I let the horse be a horse.
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 12:43 pm |
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14th Post |
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TheBlaze G.O.G Community Member
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TN Trailrider - well said and my sentiments exactly! I love riding in the winter much more than the summer. The horses always have more get-up-and-go! My TB is like a slug most of the summer. He hates the heat! And I don't think anyone likes exerting all that energy when it's over 85 degrees out, which is all summer long in Ohio! But, once the cool weather sets in, my TB is ready to go! My horses have lived outside nearly 24/7 for several years now, which is pretty much half of their lives. I only blanket if they will get wet and then it will get cold and windy. Wet horses should not stand out in the freezing cold and blowing winds INHO. No one wants to do that either. But, luckily they get brought in when the weather turns. My TB and Perch/TB X get put in stalls for dinner time, since they get different food from my Rockies. Then, all the geldings get turned out in the arena to play during the night. If it's exceptionally gross outside, he'll bring all the geldings into stalls when he feeds in the morning (which is 4 AM on the dot!) and turn the mares out in the arena to let them stretch their legs for a while. But, everyone goes back out side during the day time no matter what. They've got round bales, heated troughs, and shelters. It's of the utmost importance to me that my horses live on pasture and not in stalls. But, they certainly enjoy the stalls now that they only see them every once in awhile. And stalls mean food, not confinement. I don't believe that these huge, heavy animals were meant to be kept in a box. Nature doesn't put them in boxes and neither do I. I do own blankets in case of emergencies, but I didn't need them at all last winter. And after I ride I do toss a fleece, moisture wicking sheet over them so that they are completely dry before I turn them back out. My horses get to be horses. And they are much, much happier than when they were in stalls all winter long!
____________________ ~Tina Wishes are horses, and I fly! |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 01:53 pm |
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15th Post |
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goranbockman G.O.G Community Member 
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You're all a bunch of sissies!!l1 When I lived in Sweden and owned Icelandics there was no lower limit. I remember one New Years eve when it was -30 degrees Celsius, and a group of riders came together after 00hrs and went for a 2 hour ride. Horses were never better and it made a fond memory for all of us that participated.--
____________________ Smooth gaits are a gift of God |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 05:03 pm |
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16th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member 
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Hey, I know that you're just teasing, but remember those Iceys have way more hair & have evolved to survive in that climate. My buddy has a Foxtrotter that never gets a long coat for the season even though he's kept out all winter.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 05:11 pm |
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17th Post |
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Lakota G.O.G Community Member
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I have ridden when it was below 20, but I had a lot of army surplus gear to keep warm and I have to be desparate for a ride! I think it's unkind to stick a frigid bit in their mouths too.I used to run hot water over the bit to warm it. Anymore I'll just use a bosal to ride since I won't be gaiting and don't need to keep them in good form, only walking. It went down to 8 degrees last night. Brrrrr!!
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 05:32 pm |
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18th Post |
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sdlepal Ranch Hand
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Goran, glad it was you and not me  . Ladysrider, usually we do not blanket around here either. My horse is so furry he would probably sweat! But, my 26 year old gets a blanket on because he is out 24/7 and he appreciates it. I will leave it on till Spring now that I put it on him yesterday. I check on him daily, but do not take it off unless we have had a ice storm and it is frozen! Then he comes in his stall and gets another one on til the heavy one drys a bit. Last year I sent my friend in Texas a snow picture and my old fellow was laying down in it with out a blanket and she about freaked out! Ask me what that baby was doing laying in the snow! Well, they don't mind winter as much as we do.
____________________ Pam and Cowboy Casey |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 08:42 pm |
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19th Post |
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ladysrider G.O.G Community Member
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Yes, I think if I lived in a place that it snowed in the winter instead of all the rain we get, or wet snow on the occasion it does snow, I would probably not blanket during the winter either. But constant rain and temps in the 30's at night (hey, it's a temperate climate here), I feel that once they get wet it's harder for them to keep their body heat up. My horses are out 24/7 but they do have stalls they can go into when they please and at evening feed time (I give their grain in the evening and hay twice a day). When we got Poco 2 1/2 yrs. ago, it was after a normal winter here. The people didn't blanket him all winter and only had him on pasture grass (which is seriously deficient in certain minerals in the PNW). He was skin and bones. We bought him anyway and brought him home to fatten him up and nurse him back to health. I make sure they all have blankets in the winter now. All the rain seriously impacts my riding time. It seems the days I'm not working are the days that it rains all day long, so I try to go once a week to a friend's place. She has an indoor arena that I can use. I have been out riding all day in the rain and temps in the 40's but neither Lady or I really enjoyed it. It was for a pointing dog hunt test. Hopefully I won't have to do that again! Last edited on Wed Dec 15th, 2010 08:43 pm by ladysrider |
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15th, 2010 09:54 pm |
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20th Post |
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sisbarbo G.O.G Community Member
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My horse comes in at night and goes out all day. I only blanket if the windchills get down below zero. Which they have been here in Michigan lately. But today it was 23 and I took it off. I too believe that nature will provide them with what they need, but if it gets ugly (wet, rainy, or winds below zero) I will blanket for a short period of time. This is the first winter I've spent with this horse and I haven't ridden him in about 3 weeks. He's the kind of guy who needs to be ridden daily...or riding becomes NOT part of the deal!!!! It's supposed to warm up here in the next few days....keep your fingers crossed for me.... it could be a RIDE!!!  PS. Tina....love the pictures of the horses "taking care of business" my daughter and I got a really good laugh!!!! l1 Last edited on Wed Dec 15th, 2010 09:56 pm by sisbarbo |
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