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Regular
Posts: 95
| For those who can tough it out in the cold: riding/working. HOW do you do it?! Why do you do it!? Share your stories and inspiration! | |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
   
Location: Kansas | I tough it out by sitting in front of the pellet stove | |
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 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | I live in ND, where it is butt cold! We have a winter barrel race that starts in January, it keeps me sane from hibernating all winter and tends to make the winters shorter. So that is my motivation for riding through the winter. That and I want to be prepared for the up coming season.
Oh and no I don't have an indoor, I bundle up and put on the miles, or work in my outdoor arena.
No rest for the weary!   | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| Same, ND.
We've been fortunate this year that it's been at least 10 to 15 degrees every day. Sometimes 20+. That is manageable cold. It's the darkness that makes it tough, but yep bundle up and tough it out. Riding thru soft deep snow is actually kind of fun.
It's the minus 30 or more that makes it painful to have horses up here. I don't ride in that. I hustle to the barn and back again. So like I said, very thankful for this milder winter. | |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
Location: WI | I set the thermostat in the indoor to 50F.  | |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | I live in alberta..this morning it was -24....lol...last night when i rode it was -16 ...and i do it because if i dont ride i dont barrel race..its as simple as that...m | |
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It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | I call riding in the dark my 'trust exercise’ haha! Which is mostly what I do during the winter, darkness is our friend!
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | LAYERS!!! I also know if it don't ride and get my mare to futurity...I wont be able to run!!! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1182
Location: Do I hear Banjos? |
Staying warm without bundling up like the kid in A Christmas Story is my goal. Hard to ride in a snow suit! I used to wear my insulated carhart overalls but those rode up and felt bulky. I now wear insulated breeches by Kerrits (called Sit Tight and Warm because they are insulated and have a grippy full seat. For feet my boots are also insulated, and I use the little toe warmers between two layers of sock...a cotton and a wool. Multiple layers on top...and ear warmers or balaklava. I'm a wuss in the cold. But I want and need to ride for my mental health!
I don't know how you folks do it in the north where it really gets cold...and for extended periods. I'd have to win the lottery to move up there as I would need a heated barn and indoor riding arena. | |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | hoofs_in_motion - 2016-01-05 8:02 AM I tough it out by sitting in front of the pellet stove
LOL  | |
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 Namesless in BHW
Posts: 10368
Location: At the race track with Ah Dee Ohs | There is not enough warm clothes on the face of the planet to keep me warm. I look like the pillsbury dough boy! I do tough it out though and get things done before work in the mornings. | |
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 I Want a "MAN"
Posts: 3610
Location: MD | ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress.
How is setting it to 60 too warm? | |
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Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm?
They are so hairy and used to zero-degree temperatures. They start to sweat as soon as you bring them in the barn and get super sweaty as you ride them. At 60 degrees (remember they are accustomed to frigid temps), they don't dry off for hours, then you take them back out into the cold temps and haul them home... There are plenty of people that do it, but IMO its too hard on them when it's below 20*. It's just my theory and rule of thumb. | |
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 Leggs
Posts: 4680
Location: lexington KY | I was always freezing when I rode until I started wearing Drake Clothing. They are for WaterFowl Hunters, (hunters in my family) and the warmest stuff I have ever had on. I love everything they have and it is all waterproof and windproof and I do not get cold. It isnt bulky either, very easy to ride in and enough pockets for everything. I wont wear anything else.
http://www.drakewaterfowl.com/ | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM
CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm?
I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards!
I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick  then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer!
Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm! | |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| Well I officially feel like a ninny LOL. I read the headline and got all proud of myself because I rode last week wed-sun and it was "cold." I am in OK...it was 30-40 and sunny most days lol. If its below 30, I don't ride but it rarely gets that cold here during the day. I worry about riding on frozen ground so I ride in the afternoons when its cold. The only thing that stops me really is precipitation or if the wind might knock me off my horse AND its cold. Has anyone seen the meme on facebook that says "the wind hurts my face, why do I live where the wind hurts my face" that was us last weekend. OMG that sucked. Horses in the pasture with blankets and wind breaks still shivering. Y'all up north probably deal with it all the time but I thought I might die. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 255
Location: Alberta Canada | I do it because if I wait until the weather is warmer to ride, by the time my horses are in shape to compete it would be winter again. I also think it's better for my horses working outside rather than being worked in a moldy dust arena everyday anyway.
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 Go Your Own Way
Posts: 4947
Location: SE KS | it is easier to keep them in shape - and we have series down here. Do I ride every day no - but I have rode in the dark and when it was
20 degrees out....... fixing to get started again next week. He has had 3 weeks off. | |
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Regular
Posts: 95
| Holy crap yeah you all are way more impressive than I was expecting! We'll do anything for what we love :) Kudos to the Canadian riders!!! I'm not THAT far north. Negative numbers? Insanity. Thanks to everyone sharing. I may look more into some of the warmer clothes mentioned. . . | |
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  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
Lol, I had to chuckle when I read this.... made me think about last winter. I didn't want to saddle, but decided I was going to ride my gelding bareback.... well... I got all bundled up... thermal underwear, sweater, big carhartt jacket, and my skipants (yes, nice and slick... never said I thought it through before hand....) with a pair of skiboots..... yup, I live in Central Tx..... but I am a sissy when it comes to cold.... it was about 30 degrees, but hardly any wind, and sunny... so nice enough...
I grab the boy, put his headstall on and lead him to my mounting block.... I attempted to swing a leg over him.... and..... he side steps away from the mounging block...... yup... you guessed it.... I landed a$$ first.... ended up hurting my tailbone, it hurt for a good 5-6 weeks after that.... Let me tell ya, hitting the saddle when your horse leaves a barrel is no fun when your tailbone hurts....... I did saddle him and rode for about 10 mins after, but my butt was to hurt to do much mroe than walking, so he went back in the pasture and I went inside to pout in front of the stove....
That day I came to the conclussion that he either did not like the whole slick skipants deal.... or maybe he never was rode bareback... needles to say I will not be attempting that again.....
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 Veteran
Posts: 239
| mruggles - 2016-01-05 8:13 AM I live in alberta..this morning it was -24....lol...last night when i rode it was -16 ...and i do it because if i dont ride i dont barrel race..its as simple as that...m
Same here, though I'm a bit further south than mruggles...I have to say she is way tougher than me I think!! I don't feel it's fair to my horses to compete when they're not in shape...and we have jackpots all year round. So its keep them legged up or I don't haul. -20 is my cutoff for hauling to the indoor (for reasons someone else stated above, they get too sweated up, even in a non-heated indoor, and then back on the highway in the wind even with a blanket, I think it really is tough on their system) and now that I am old and weak, -15 is my cutoff for riding outside. I ride bareback a lot in the winter, I am just putting on miles so I figure it doesn't hurt them and it keeps my hiney warm lol!
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It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
This made me laugh like a crazy person, and made me question my venturing into the wooded part of a field in darkness .... this would totally happen to me too LOL | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I have some serious mental fights with myself. I hate the cold and live in Minnesota... we have been pretty lucky with a lot of high teens/twenties temps but its still cold!!!! I wear mostly sweats with long underwear because my jeans are too tight with layers under them LOL. | |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I don't ride if its below 32 degrees. Just no fun when its that cold. When I was younger I would ride in pretty much anything. Now, not so much!! | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
LOL now thats funny, glad that you had plenty of padding when you hit the ground, question,, did you bounce? | |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | How: layers and a tad craziness....also I have an arena I haul too.
I have a temperature limit for hauling or riding outside but I will do it! At the least I try to haul once a week to ride and do flat work or else its just field miles.
Just make it work somehow....when I worked feedlot we stopped riding at -50 with the wind so...that's F or C bloody cold lol | |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | dream_chaser - 2016-01-06 12:04 PM
How: layers and a tad craziness....also I have an arena I haul too.
I have a temperature limit for hauling or riding outside but I will do it! At the least I try to haul once a week to ride and do flat work or else its just field miles.
Just make it work somehow....when I worked feedlot we stopped riding at -50 with the wind so...that's F or C bloody cold lol
You know its to cold when your nose holes freeze shut...lol.....m | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Southtxponygirl - 2016-01-05 12:51 PM
veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
I'm sure parts of me were bouncing pretty good, but for the most part just kind of splatted in the snow. Looking up at the stars, listening to my fat mare snort and heave the whole way back home I remember thinking I hope I could be scarier than whatever spooked the deer out of the trees. | |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | well I'm a real wimp since leaving the midwest. But I've really noticed a huge difference in wearing a stocking cap vs ear warmers and a hood. and those big thick wool socks are the BOMB.COM! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Crowned Image - 2016-01-05 1:28 PM
well I'm a real wimp since leaving the midwest. But I've really noticed a huge difference in wearing a stocking cap vs ear warmers and a hood. and those big thick wool socks are the BOMB.COM!
Oh yes! Those ear warmers are just for looks. I love my rabbit fur bomber hat! | |
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 Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Alberta | For us its been a pretty mild winter so far. I remember last year about this time we had about a week of -30C. I hate the cold so I don't always ride as much as I should. I have an indoor arena that isn't insulated or heated so I can at least get out of the wind and ride my colts. When I was younger I would bundle up in my coveralls and big Carhartt jacket but now I hate riding in coveralls. Just like someone else mentioned they ride up really bad and are just too bulky for me. What I do is i'll wear a pair of jeans for about a week and ride in them lots so they get good and stretched out then i'll wear a pair of old pyjama pants underneath them. I don't wear thermal socks, my feet get too warm then they get cold. I wear my cowboy boots to ride in, the only time my feet get cold is when I stop moving. I have yet to find a pair of gloves that keep my hands warm and are still thin enough that I can feel the reins in my hands. -15C is usually my cutoff at home. But if I am hauling in to one of the heated arenas i'll still go if its -20C as long as its not too windy. The arenas around here aren't kept too warm so its not too hard on the horses, plus all of my horses that I haul have good thick winter blankets. But as much as I hate winter I do have to admit that some of the best exercise my horses get is long trotting through deep snow. Plus they really learn to stand up since if they lean too much there is a good chance that they are going to slip. | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | veintiocho - 2016-01-05 1:25 PM Southtxponygirl - 2016-01-05 12:51 PM veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm! I'm sure parts of me were bouncing pretty good, but for the most part just kind of splatted in the snow. Looking up at the stars, listening to my fat mare snort and heave the whole way back home I remember thinking I hope I could be scarier than whatever spooked the deer out of the trees.
LOL so funny | |
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Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | mruggles - 2016-01-05 12:17 PM dream_chaser - 2016-01-06 12:04 PM How: layers and a tad craziness....also I have an arena I haul too.
I have a temperature limit for hauling or riding outside but I will do it! At the least I try to haul once a week to ride and do flat work or else its just field miles.
Just make it work somehow....when I worked feedlot we stopped riding at -50 with the wind so...that's F or C bloody cold lol You know its to cold when your nose holes freeze shut...lol.....m
ha ha truth!!!!!! | |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | P68 - 2016-01-05 11:25 AM Holy crap yeah you all are way more impressive than I was expecting! We'll do anything for what we love :) Kudos to the Canadian riders!!! I'm not THAT far north. Negative numbers? Insanity. Thanks to everyone sharing. I may look more into some of the warmer clothes mentioned. . .
The Canadian temps are in Celsius. So when they say for instance -15 that's 5 above Fahrenheit (US). | |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | cranky B4 10am - 2016-01-05 11:28 AM
veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
I grab the boy, put his headstall on and lead him to my mounting block.... I attempted to swing a leg over him.... and..... he side steps away from the mounging block...... yup... you guessed it.... I landed a$$ first.... ended up hurting my tailbone, it hurt for a good 5-6 weeks after that.... Let me tell ya, hitting the saddle when your horse leaves a barrel is no fun when your tailbone hurts....... I did saddle him and rode for about 10 mins after, but my butt was to hurt to do much mroe than walking, so he went back in the pasture and I went inside to pout in front of the stove....
That day I came to the conclussion that he either did not like the whole slick skipants deal.... or maybe he never was rode bareback... needles to say I will not be attempting that again.....
The two of you have given me my laugh for the night | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Chandler's Mom - 2016-01-05 8:37 PM cranky B4 10am - 2016-01-05 11:28 AM veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
I grab the boy, put his headstall on and lead him to my mounting block.... I attempted to swing a leg over him.... and..... he side steps away from the mounging block...... yup... you guessed it.... I landed a$$ first.... ended up hurting my tailbone, it hurt for a good 5-6 weeks after that.... Let me tell ya, hitting the saddle when your horse leaves a barrel is no fun when your tailbone hurts....... I did saddle him and rode for about 10 mins after, but my butt was to hurt to do much mroe than walking, so he went back in the pasture and I went inside to pout in front of the stove....
That day I came to the conclussion that he either did not like the whole slick skipants deal.... or maybe he never was rode bareback... needles to say I will not be attempting that again.....
The two of you have given me my laugh for the night
So is this were the word butthurt comes from? There has been a few BB's on here that used the word butthurt when they want to make someone mad, lol | |
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Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | Southtxponygirl - 2016-01-05 8:45 PM Chandler's Mom - 2016-01-05 8:37 PM cranky B4 10am - 2016-01-05 11:28 AM veintiocho - 2016-01-05 10:13 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 10:00 AM CE's wrapn3 - 2016-01-05 8:53 AM ND3canAddict - 2016-01-05 9:47 AM There are a lot of good, warm clothes out there nowadays that aren't too bulky. I prefer UnderArmour 4.0s with no pants under my red-lined old carhardt bibs. I have a Mountain Horse coat that is almost 20 years old that I love. I found some gloves that are perfect for my ultra sensitive fingers (too many times frostbitten), they are HeatWave fleece and only cost like $10 a pair. Schnee pack boots with the warmer packets in them- they aren't exactly stirrup friendly, but they aren't scary either.
For me, staying warm is an easier issue to solve than the ice under the snow with the warm/cold trends that happen almost every winter! We have a super nice indoor arena nearby, but they have the heat set at 60*, which IMO is way too warm to work horses in the winter, so we don't go if it's colder than 20*.
It's a mindset, riding in the winter. A committment that isn't much different than dieting! haha. Sucks, but you gotta do it if you expect progress. How is setting it to 60 too warm? I agree. Very easy for them to catch a cold if the indoor is too warm and so hard to get them dry afterwards! I wear fleece lined leggings and heavy jeans. I used to ride in my Carhart overalls, but once was almost t-boned by a deer in the dark and I just rolled off like a fat tick then had to walk 2 miles back in the dark cold. I feel I stand a better chance with the leggings and jeans if they get frisky or I run into any more blind deer! Burton snowboarding mittens are the only thing that keep my fingers warm!
I grab the boy, put his headstall on and lead him to my mounting block.... I attempted to swing a leg over him.... and..... he side steps away from the mounging block...... yup... you guessed it.... I landed a$$ first.... ended up hurting my tailbone, it hurt for a good 5-6 weeks after that.... Let me tell ya, hitting the saddle when your horse leaves a barrel is no fun when your tailbone hurts....... I did saddle him and rode for about 10 mins after, but my butt was to hurt to do much mroe than walking, so he went back in the pasture and I went inside to pout in front of the stove....
That day I came to the conclussion that he either did not like the whole slick skipants deal.... or maybe he never was rode bareback... needles to say I will not be attempting that again.....
The two of you have given me my laugh for the night
LMBO, you know what.... that might just be true! It just doesn't make me mad..... I don't bounce as well as I use too... so now I just pout and hide inside for a while....  | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 310
Location: North Dakota | I also live in the North Dakota tundra. and I agree, these frigid temps do NOT make it easy for a person to get out and ride.
HOW do I do it? I ride in my pj's... underneath Carhartt's warmest extreme weather coveralls lol. I work 8-5, so that means I ride more after dark than most people ride all week. Luckily we have an indoor arena to use. Its not heated or insulated, but it sure beats riding by the romantic glow of a head lamp. Unless I'm actually working the barrel pattern, I do drills and leg up in my rope saddle, which makes more room for my coverall expanded rear end. Usually the day after a barrel run or a hard workout, I'll turn my futurity mare and my next in line futurity horse loose in the arena to roll, run and play. Its amazing the workout they will give themselves some days. If I feel they need a little more cardio, I'll get after them to keep loping, but that's not usually the case. Most times I'm telling them to take it easy before they break down the wall or crash into each other.
WHY do I do it? Because there are a lot of talented riders in this area, and I don't want to get to a barrel race and find out I could have done better if only I would have gotten out and ridden a little longer, or prepped ourselves a little better. I want my horse to have the best shot possible at making her best run on that particular time/day. I don't own any finished horses, I just have futurity horses. The futurities around here start up in May, with some big races in March/April. If I waited til the weather was nice, I'd be miles behind my competition.
You just need to evaluate your goals and what you're willing to do to achieve them. If your goal is to take your horse to a run and just have fun with friends, then by all means go do it! Odds are they don't have to be fit as a fiddle to do so. But if your goal is to reach the top, then you'll have to put in more time and effort. I love the saying "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work". | |
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 Regular
Posts: 67
| I'm too fat to carry any more extra clothes. I feed, pet them, head up to the house and wait for spring. Not a fan of the cold. | |
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 Georgia Peach
Posts: 8338
Location: Georgia | Well I feel like a wimp lol. It was close to 40 yesterday evening when I was working my colt and I thought I was going to freeze to death. Granted, I had on a pair of running leggings and one jacket. Probably not the best attire for cold weather. Haha but you guys are real troopers. If it's less than 30, I'm not getting a horse. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | I'm also in ND. I'm pretty hardy so it takes it to be -15ish actual temp or colder for me to want to hibernate. The barn I'm at has an indoor so I am lucky there. It's not heated or insulated but once you close up all the doors its not too bad. I don't ride hard if it's below zero but I try to keep up with 4-5 days a week of riding/lunging because like the other girls said.. If I waited till spring to start to ride I would spend my entire summer getting my horse in shape again just for winter to come again and start all over again. Pays off in the end to keep up on the workouts and brave the cold. I wear long johns under sweatpants and a sweat shirt and wool socks under my muck boots. It only takes me about an hour to thaw out once I get home ;) | |
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Freezing Temps