You may think that riding during the winter isn’t a good idea – after all, it’s freezing cold with ice, snow and wind… who’d want to go out in that? Your horse would! Those commercials you see with riders charging through snowbanks and snow-covered fields aren’t just “made for TV.” Taking your horse riding during the winter is an excellent way to get your horse some exercise and get you out of the house during those long winter months.
Snow is Best
When you’re horse riding in the winter, it’s best to go out when there is a few inches of snow on the ground. This gives the horse’s hooves some cushion, as opposed to riding over frozen or icy ground (and icy ground should be avoided to prevent falls and other accidents).
Snow also provides the horse a great workout for both its heart and leg muscles. In the winter, you don’t even need to ride your horse at a gallop – a walk or especially a trot will do just as well since your horse will be pulling his legs out of the snow as he goes. Even a nice, long, relaxed walk on a long rein can give him all the exercise he needs.
Some Winter Riding Safety Tips
When riding during the winter, be sure you’re only riding along paths and trails that you know well. If you’re riding in a new area, you risk stepping in or on something that can injure your horse or cause an accident because you are not able to see what is underneath the snow cover.
As we said earlier, it’s best to ride on snow cover only. Avoid riding on ground covered by rain, slush or ice, or plain frozen ground. These don’t lend themselves well to the kind of footing your horse needs during a ride, and can lead to injuries to your horse or an accident.
No jumping your horse outside during the winter months. Even if you’re riding in snow, the ground is still slick enough to not allow for proper footing on landing. The impact from landing on frozen ground or snow can also injure your horse’s legs. Make sure that if you will be doing any jumping during winter months, it is in an arena that allows for proper and appropriate footing.
The winter months are a great time to take your horse for a ride, and can provide a break from the indoors for both you and your horse. Taking the proper precautions and preparation will ensure you have a safe and enjoyable ride.
