|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
  
Location: Idaho | So this will be my first official Oklahoma winter with my horse. Last year he showed up in January, and I didn't really start riding him until February-March when it started warming up. I would like to be able to ride this winter, we do have an indoor arena but my concern is.. if he gets worked and it is cold out and he gets sweaty, what do you do to help dry them? He is out on pasture so I would hate to put him away wet.
does anybody use coolers? I know towels are good, but I would imagine it being a pain trying to dry him off for two hours. Are there are tools or items out there that you use for this? What do you do?
Edited by DashNDustem 2016-10-06 4:52 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| You must be from really far south! 
Honestly I ride year round, Oklahoma winters are a piece of cake compared to where I grew up. I keep mine in a blanket to help the hair stay short, but if you don't want to do that, just get him a good cooler and put it on him when you're done riding. A cooler wicks the sweat away much faster. Them brush him out good and put him out.
A good turn out blanket is your best bet, I wouldn't go over medium weight, but makes sure it's really water proof. Weatherbeeter is my favorite kind. When it rains/ices/spits some snow, the horses get wet, the wind comes up, and they get shivery. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 899
Location: Idaho | Haha, Yep! From Las Vegas, Nevada. The worst we get is 20 degree's and that's like once or twice a year lol Normally it's in the 30'40's, so yep I am a newbie to this type of cold! Last year I saw my very first ice storm. lol
My boyfriend is making fun of me, saying that I better ride now because I'm going to go on a four month break because it will be too cold. I told him I will find a way and I will ride! lol My gelding has hay in front of him 24/7 during the winter, and last year he was fine with the cold. So I decided no blanket. I do have two blankets in my trailer just in case.
So I read on another thread that a good wool cooler is best? Would a blanket work too to make sure he stays warm, just after riding? Or would just a cooler work good? sorry for all the questions!
Edited by DashNDustem 2016-10-06 5:14 PM
|
|
| |
|
Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| If you're wanting to dry him out quickly, just a cooler. Then pull it off when dry and brush him out.
Just get a coat and a stocking hat, and go ride. Mind over matter.
If you're freezing when riding, buy some nice CuddleDud long underwear. They make a big difference. Some good gloves are helpful too.
I find riding in the cold is no different from riding in the heat. You have to be mentally and physically prepared, but all things are possible.
I've ridden in 115 degree heat with a higher heat index in S Texas and grew up moving cows with my Dad in -40 below zero. Those extremes are dangerous, but doable as long as you pay attention and take care of your body.
Oklahoma cold and often the heat isn't extreme in comparison, and a good set of winter clothes and some common sense will keep you riding all year! You'll be fine. |
|
| |
|
  Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | Not sure how cold it gets in OK, but I am in CTX and don't blanket at all. I do have several coolers though.
When I am done riding I will walk him till he cools off, and if he is still wet I will put a cooler on. You will see the moisture come through the blanket and if he is still wet I will change that one out for a dry one.
Works great for us. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 286
| Oklahoma winters are nice....it's the summers I can't deal with and that's when my horses typically get a "break". |
|
| |
|
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Cooler for sure, keep him out of the wind until he's dry.
If you're really struggling with him getting overheated (I usually just adjust my workout until they handle it) there are several clip styles you can do to help, but then you're committed to a blanket. |
|
| |
|
| What is the name of your nearest town ... that will decide what kind of advice
you receive .. the upper half of Okla above Ardmore gets ice and more cold weather than the southern half below Ardmore ...
Buying a walker would be your best investment .. 30-45 minutes they dry themselves off with no blankets etc etc ... always wash between their back
legs to prevent a rash or soreness from dried sweat ... |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Kansas | BARRELHORSE USA - 2016-10-07 11:55 PM What is the name of your nearest town ... that will decide what kind of advice you receive .. the upper half of Okla above Ardmore gets ice and more cold weather than the southern half below Ardmore ... Buying a walker would be your best investment .. 30-45 minutes they dry themselves off with no blankets etc etc ... always wash between their back legs to prevent a rash or soreness from dried sweat ... Uh, Ardmore is in Southern Ok.
Closer to Texas than the upper half of Ok.
Edited by Sangria 2016-10-08 1:49 AM
|
|
| |
|
| Sangria - 2016-10-08 1:48 AM
BARRELHORSE USA - 2016-10-07 11:55 PM What is the name of your nearest town ... that will decide what kind of advice you receive .. the upper half of Okla above Ardmore gets ice and more cold weather than the southern half below Ardmore ... Buying a walker would be your best investment .. 30-45 minutes they dry themselves off with no blankets etc etc ... always wash between their back legs to prevent a rash or soreness from dried sweat ... Uh, Ardmore is in Southern Ok.
Closer to Texas than the upper half of Ok.
***************************************************
YOUR ARE SO RIGHT ... that's why I asked her to name her town ..
Pay attention to your bad weather that bounces north from Wichita Falls Tx or comes screaming in from Amarillo Tx with Moore Ok being tornado alley in Oklahoma ... the super bad stuff goes screaming across to Ft Smith Ark ... and stays above Ardmore ...
Just like in Texas ... if you want almost no tornados or bad or freezing weather live south of Waco Tx ... or east of Tyler Tx .. lol
It takes a huge cold front to make to places like Houston or San Antonio ..
makes them happy to have a light snow or 1-2 days below freezing to
kill the bugs ... lol
My point is ... if you live below Ardmore .. winter days may start out freezing
and warm up to 75 degrees while you are at work and old horse will be
dripping sweat when you get home and end up sicker than a dog ... so it is
best to forget the blankets and stuff and horse will be much better off even in
the northern states ... if it comes a freezing rain she has an indoor arena
to turn them into to dry out ... with some hay to keep their furnace running on high ... lol
I live on Lake Texoma and if I am hauling north I will put a light Bakers sheet on them in the trailer for the trip to break the drafts in the trailer. Other wise ... they run naked in the pasture or if stalled in the barn ... horses love temperatures below 40 degrees ... lol
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2016-10-08 2:49 AM
|
|
| |
|
| My other input to the new comer is ...
DON'T LISTEN TO OUR STUPID TV WEATHER PEOPLE ...
every cloud or nice incoming shower has a dozen tornados or softball
hail in them .... their radar is run on super sensitive and they will
be yammering of 10 inches of rain ... the radar will show your barn
to be under a tremendous flood from the sky and you walk out on your
porch and it isn't even raining ...
Another item ... if you are traveling and hit bad weather ... these fools will
start saying such and such COUNTY is under a super cell instead of naming
the TOWNS .... no one knows the county they are in while traveling duhhh
The reports on hurricane Matthew is a prime example ... all the area wind maps
disappeared off of the net and the talking heads were citing wind speeds or
195mph at the eye of the storm as if that was happening in the cities ..
....... keep in mind they have been ordered
to make these references by the nuts running the scam on climate change and
global warming .... look at the idiots standing in the rain and wind ... saying
200 thousand are without power and he is supposed to be at Daytona Beach
as the worst hit city etc etc ..... look behind him ........
and all the street lights and buildings behind him all have their lights on ... lol
It won't take you long to figure everything out ... so ..
WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA ... IT IS LIKE STEPPING BACKWARDS 20 YEARS ..
lol ..
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2016-10-08 2:53 AM
|
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | cranky B4 10am - 2016-10-06 4:23 PM
Not sure how cold it gets in OK, but I am in CTX and don't blanket at all. I do have several coolers though.
When I am done riding I will walk him till he cools off, and if he is still wet I will put a cooler on. You will see the moisture come through the blanket and if he is still wet I will change that one out for a dry one.
Works great for us.
Fantastic idea on having 2 coolers.
|
|
| |
Folks on-line