Keeping in Shape Over the Winter

postit · 12-21-07, 11:29 AM

Do you find it harder to keep yourself and your horse in shape over the winter due to less days its safe to ride? We keep getting snow and ice and its coincided with days I can't get to the barn. Any ideas for staying in shape for riding without riding?

moski · 12-21-07, 06:01 PM

I know some people that will get some help with family and friends, to clear out a safe spot on the property, so in case its snowy or icy they horse can still get some exercise on their own w/o a rider.

SaddleSore · 12-23-07, 02:44 PM

For myself, I workout at home. I try to do a little each day, because a little is all the time that I can spare.

Even ten minutes a day on a jogging trampoline will help to stop you getting soggy over the winter.

ilovehorses · 12-23-07, 06:58 PM

For myself I do home workouts and I also go snowshoeing every other weekend. For our horses we shovel out the snow and if there is ice we salt it. We then spread out sand that we had gathered over the summer.

**alexis** · 12-23-07, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovehorses

For our horses we shovel out the snow and if there is ice we salt it.

Wouldn't the horses just eat the salt away? I know that sounds odd, but I know someone with a horse, and they give the animal a salt block.

PonyClub · 12-24-07, 02:05 PM

I think it's important to maintain your fitness during the winter no matter whether you ride or not. Everyone could learn a thing or two about that.

Personally I work hard keeping the yard right, shovelling snow, and using my gym equipment at home.

postit · 12-26-07, 02:14 PM

Some horses might eat the salt, but unless they normally eat snow perhaps you wouldn't have an issue with them licking the ground?

I don't have room for Gym equipment at home, nor the cash if I did, so its more of a pain for me to remember to try and stay active at home.

sallyanna · 12-28-07, 09:32 AM

Around here the horses are let out in most conditions. The only days they aren't is the stormy days. The horses' coats get rather shaggy to acomodate the cold weather. They tend to frolic around a bit more, just like when we're cold we move around to warm up. That would give them a bit of excercise. If you put their hay on the opposite end of the field they'd have to walk to get there.
As long as they are let out, I'd figure they will get some excercise. You can make up for any excercise loss a bit by giving a bit of extra time on the good days.
For me, I workout inside on my days off. On work days, I do a lot of running around so I don't worry much.

12-21-07, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
postit Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 25	Keeping in Shape Over the Winter Do you find it harder to keep yourself and your horse in shape over the winter due to less days its safe to ride? We keep getting snow and ice and its coincided with days I can't get to the barn. Any ideas for staying in shape for riding without riding?

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12-21-07, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
moski Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 30	I know some people that will get some help with family and friends, to clear out a safe spot on the property, so in case its snowy or icy they horse can still get some exercise on their own w/o a rider.

12-23-07, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
SaddleSore Member Join Date: 10-12-07 Posts: 233	For myself, I workout at home. I try to do a little each day, because a little is all the time that I can spare. Even ten minutes a day on a jogging trampoline will help to stop you getting soggy over the winter.

12-23-07, 06:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
ilovehorses Member Join Date: 11-02-07 Posts: 77	For myself I do home workouts and I also go snowshoeing every other weekend. For our horses we shovel out the snow and if there is ice we salt it. We then spread out sand that we had gathered over the summer.

12-24-07, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
PonyClub Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 25	I think it's important to maintain your fitness during the winter no matter whether you ride or not. Everyone could learn a thing or two about that. Personally I work hard keeping the yard right, shovelling snow, and using my gym equipment at home.

12-26-07, 02:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
postit Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 25	Some horses might eat the salt, but unless they normally eat snow perhaps you wouldn't have an issue with them licking the ground? I don't have room for Gym equipment at home, nor the cash if I did, so its more of a pain for me to remember to try and stay active at home.

12-28-07, 09:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
sallyanna Member Join Date: 12-01-07 Posts: 100	Around here the horses are let out in most conditions. The only days they aren't is the stormy days. The horses' coats get rather shaggy to acomodate the cold weather. They tend to frolic around a bit more, just like when we're cold we move around to warm up. That would give them a bit of excercise. If you put their hay on the opposite end of the field they'd have to walk to get there. As long as they are let out, I'd figure they will get some excercise. You can make up for any excercise loss a bit by giving a bit of extra time on the good days. For me, I workout inside on my days off. On work days, I do a lot of running around so I don't worry much.