Staying Show Ready in the Winter

 

We recently asked our readers:

If you keep your horse at home, how are you finding time to get your horse ready for shows for 2023? Now that the days are shorter and colder, how are you managing to get it all done on top of having to work? Do you take the winter off?

Their answers varied depending upon where they live and what facilities they have access to, but it’s great to know we all often share the same struggles.

In fact, Dj Zerwekh said, “Following as the struggle is real!”

 

Here’s what everyone had to say:

Victoria Wiersum

Bundle up and ride after work! I get out to the barn 3-4 times a week to ride.

Late nights but keeps my horse and me sane. 🥰

 

Maria Temple Jerome

I don’t take winters off. Living in Montana can be difficult but training continues on. Indoor arenas and lots of warm clothes or snowy days outside. Some time is better than no time.

 

Heather Lynn Werkema Smith

The show horses and the kids both get some time off! Riding continues on the young ones and the kids enjoy riding their pony projects! Lessons continue late winter at a slower pace and we wait for warmer air and sunshine to really get back into it. Once show season hits we are ALL IN for 3/4’s of the year. The few months we are “off” are needed for everyone and are used to set goals for the next show season.

 

Charlotte Miller Harvey

Mine get a winter break unless it is a local open show I want to go to. I cannot put mine under lights properly with my barn so they get a coat even though I keep them bundled. I ride as often as I can but with no lights, it is mostly on weekends until the days get longer. Edited to add that I am in southern AZ where we get snow and winter weather even though we are in the desert. 🙂

 

Kelly Cummins

We are in Az so we ride 365 days a year before work in the mornings. 😊

 

Jill Bushey

This is such a tough time for us do it your self ammys. I keep reminding myself of my goals and how much better i feel once I ride. I live in Northern NY so it’s such a struggle but having an indoor and self-motivation helps that seasonal depression which leaves us very lazy.

 

Terri Miller

Everyday attention no matter what the weather everything is outside for us, I dont show myself except out on the mountain trails , it’s just keeping my girls in shape , if it’s to nasty out to ride we may just hand walk a few miles that day and practice manners and easy ground work and mental health, it’s not all about riding but the connection and willing spirit you keep with your horse.

 

Courtney Sustaire

Terri Miller, this right here! I’ve been doing the same.

 

Jennifer Minor

Super thankful for a 60×60 indoor arena and the bestest momma that feeds and does chores when I’m at work (I work 24 hour shifts as a flight nurse) and when I’m out of town. It’s not huge but on these yucky TN days we can let the horses out to play and some lunge line work to keep them legged up. We ride when we can and start “hitting the books” mid-February for show season. We let ours grow hair in the winter and lights go back on Jan 1.

 

JoDee Hale-Schmid

Yes, winters are off until Mother Nature gets over herself and allows for dry warmer temps. (Wisconsin) Most of the time it is showmanship based in the winter months. No indoor here. They are just hairy buffalos and covered in mud right now.

 

Ellen Mae

Winter break! I’ve always felt like my horses enjoy having a break to just be a horse during the winter. They always come back mentally ready to work and it doesn’t take long to get them fit back up. Plus it gives me time to rebuild my finances.

 

Christine Tanner Sherer

Ellen Mae, I agree with you; taking a break is good for all.

 

Carri Hansen

Winter break from Nov to Feb. No indoor arena or heated barn…. So we keep lights and blankets on them and they get to have turnout for several months, then we start working in the snow with blankets on and ponying them. Once weather is decent enough we start longing more and neck sweats, etc. It’s a little more work but we go show April 1st. Hard work and dedication to get to those Midwest April shows!

 

Teresa Hanson

In winter, we take time off from showing but not from riding. Since we live in Arizona, the weather is great for trail riding. We also do arena work, focusing on transitions and random patterns. My sister and I ride together 4 or 5 days a week and we watch each other and ride each other’s horses to stay sharp on body position and quality of maneuvers.

 

Josyanne Frazee

Mother Nature dictates when I get to ride a lot so if it’s not raining or snowing or too awful out, I get some sort of riding in. If it’s really wet, my arena has spots that are wetter than others so we do get muddy on legs and belly. Even face sometimes 🤣. I focus on just getting legs stretched on those days, no training or work over rails. My show horse is grey so it’s a challenge but so far it’s been working out. The insta-hot helps semi clean him up on those sloppy days when I can…… I can’t stand a dirty horse and Oscar identifies as a paint. A grey with brown markings.

 

Shawn Bauman

I totally agree with JoDee Hale-Schmid ! I do the same we do what we can with what we have. When u have just the basics u make do.

 

LeAnne Boger Moseley

I ride 2-5 times a week, depending on the weather. My mare knows her job, so I focus on just keeping her fit. Since it gets dark earlier, our rides are shorter. Basically more “down time”, less stressful, and a mental break.

 

Jody Hatfield-Monk

It’s always challenging to get your horses rode at home in the winter months, I work a full time job plus have 2 little ones, so it makes it even tougher, but we as a family find time to go out in the barn and we are fortunate to have an indoor arena where me and my girls can spend time with the horses still. We always have things to work on even in the colder and shorter days whether it’s ground work, showmanship, a 15-20 minute ride or just spending that quality grooming time with your horse.

 

Angelica Siegel

Lots of layers! And some earplugs to dampen the sounds of storms. Staying motivated to go out into the weather can be tough but I always feel better once I’m done 😊.

 

Kristi Sanders

I have to haul a lot to ride, so there isn’t as much riding as during the summer. Unfortunately, my outdoor doesn’t hold up to the wet conditions in the winter.

 

Kimberly Huisman-Walsh

I take winters off!

 

If you have a great question of the week, please email Delores.Kuhlwein@EquineChronicle.com.