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 Sexy Bee Yacht
Posts: 5849
      Location: WA | In Western WA, most of the winter we are above freezing. This week and some of next we will be below freezing day and night. I just chose not to ride. I could haul to an indoor arena and ride, but I figure taking a couple weeks off isn't going ot hurt. I'll miss a barrel race, big whoop. But I have people flipping me crap for not riding. I say why stress my horse in the colder than normal weather when it is for short a time period. Others say there are competitions to prepare for. If temps stayed low all winter you bet I would be riding. I have a good cooler, plenty of time to sit under it (and a light blanket if really cold) while I do barn chores at night, etc, but I just choose not to. What is your cut off for unusual cold weather riding? |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
       Location: Phoenix | I live on the east side of WA (when not in San Diego) and I don't put too much effort Into trying to ride from November to Jan. If it's nice out, I'll saddle up. If someone has rented an arena, I'll go. But usually from Nov to Dec, the ground is frozen and we have no snow so all you can do is walk. Once it snows I'll start moving faster out in the field, but nothing major. Just a little walk trot lope to keep them ridden down, and only if the weather is nice and I feel like it. Nov thru Jan are "take it easy" months.
today, I rode even though it was 16 out....it was sunny, no wind, but all I could do was walk. But it was still good for me and my horse. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
     
| Under 50! LOL - I'm sorry, but going and freezing my hiney off just isn't as fun as it used to be - my horse LOVES the time off and always comes back fresher. |
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Veteran
Posts: 296
    
| Low of 1 at my place in Idaho tomorrow...when the sun is out and the wind isn't blowing, I'll tough it out...otherwise, not a chance!! When I saddled up yesterday afternoon is was probably 18, but it didn't feel too bad. I didn't do a whole lot with my horse, we took it easy, but I did still ride. Normally, I wouldn't do this. BUT...he's had 3 months off from pigeon fever, so I didn't want to let him have the ENTIRE winter off. It's supposed to be back in the mid-30's next week, and if it stays that way, I'll keep riding. But if it dips low again like it has this week, I'll take a break. |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
      Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | -18 to -20 with no wind is my cut off.......and during the week its all night riding so it feels worse........i dont mind riding in the cold but its a lot nicer when its daylight........
m |
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 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
          Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | We have to drive to the arena. While ti is covered with lights I don't ride when it is raining and cold and/or when I question the safety of driving. We are under a winter storm warning with potential for ice. No way am I riding in this.
Now, if it is just cold, it doesn't get cold enough in texas to stop me from riding. I HATE being cold but I bundle up and we go ride. Next week it will stay in the low 40's. I will be riding. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
       Location: In The Snow, AZ | It's mid-20's here today. It was miserabley warm enough to go brush horses and free lunge a bit. But I couldn't force myself to saddle up. My nose was numb, didn't even realize it was dripping. But hey! At least my boogers weren't frozen!
Our ponies will probably have most of the winter off aside from being chased around the pasture.... |
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