When riding in icy / snowy conditions….

Perfect Preparation Prevents P... Poor Performance!

• Warm the bit up before putting the bridle on, as it’s the little things that make the bond special between you and your horse.
• Allow more time when you school or work your horse in cold conditions as cold muscles take longer to warm up.
• If they’ve been negotiating solid bumpy ground then their gait may take a little time to adjust when working on a flat school surface, so allow a little time for that too.
• Dress yourself in layers and ensure your extremities are warm, so thick socks, gloves, scarf and one of my favorites are cloth pads attached to the strap of the hat to cover your ears and keep them toasty warm.
• When hacking, pay special attention when riding in shade areas as there may still be ice. The sun may melt most areas through the day but some shady areas may remain frozen, and lethal.
• Don't ask for extravagant paces or practice lateral movements on hacks with frozen ground. Instead, ride in a connected and balanced manner, enjoy the scenery!
• If your feet get numb then pay special attention to getting off slowly. The pain of a big ‘THUD’ on the floor after a long hack with frozen feet is the stuff nightmares are made of!!
• A wet horse can get cold very quickly, so allow a little extra time to cool down and use a blanket to rub off any lingering sweat or moisture. Only turn out when your horse is dry to the skin.
• Try to prevent snowballs from appearing in your horse’s hooves by applying a little petroleum jelly.
• Keep the muscles warm by wearing a quarter sheet BUT ensure that it’s fitted correctly. They can be used to keep your legs warm by wrapping them over, in front and under your thigh. This will also help prevent it flapping around in the wind and scaring him and/or other horses on the hack too.
• Experiencing extremes of temperatures burns calories and can be demanding on the body so ensure he's getting all the nutrients he needs, and get them tailored to his specific requirements, #hackupbespoke.