November 2005 in Timmins. I'm sure I was just about to ask John to pick up his reins!
I don't recall very many riding lessons being cancelled due to cold when I was learning, and I certainly didn't have very good apparel at the time! A few minutes of rising trot always did the trick to warm me up, and dropping my stirrups would warm up my toes.
It isn't even very cold right now; nights are barely touching -20C occasionally. We kept our dear horses in -40C for weeks in Timmins, and they remained their cheerful selves throughout. I found it inspiring. This winter I've only taken a few days off from riding; for Christmas, the US Presidential Inauguration, the Veterinarian. While I do like the idea of resting with nature during the season, one must stay in motion in order to ride well. I hit the treadmill every day or two, expanded my yoga practice, and now there's enough snow for cross-country skiiing.
Slather on your moisturizer, sunscreen and lip balm. Make a tea traveller for when you're finished. Break out any sheepskin you've been saving; the horses are basically clean. Get leather gloves with Thinsulate. A neck tube is much safer than a scarf. Consider using your polo bandages with underwraps to keep your horses tendons warm when it's approaching -10C or colder, but I admit my whole collection sits unused since I'd much rather be able to hack in the snow, which warms up the soft tissue anyway. Try a quarter sheet, it might give the horse a sensation to engage the hind legs, but make sure it's secure. Don't make your horse really sweaty, focus more on relaxation and collection and keep the session short and positive. Studies show lung inflammation occurs when horses are made to breathe deeply for long periods at these temperatures. Can you mount, go, turn, stop and back up without using your reins? Get to know and love your sitting trot, where the dressage really starts.
Grab your sunglasses and go hacking, whether or not it's slushy, hard packed or soft. Exposure to different footings increases physical resilience. Look for turkey and deer tracks. Listen to the breeze in the trees.
A fresh snow resets the stage.
It isn't even very cold right now; nights are barely touching -20C occasionally. We kept our dear horses in -40C for weeks in Timmins, and they remained their cheerful selves throughout. I found it inspiring. This winter I've only taken a few days off from riding; for Christmas, the US Presidential Inauguration, the Veterinarian. While I do like the idea of resting with nature during the season, one must stay in motion in order to ride well. I hit the treadmill every day or two, expanded my yoga practice, and now there's enough snow for cross-country skiiing.
Slather on your moisturizer, sunscreen and lip balm. Make a tea traveller for when you're finished. Break out any sheepskin you've been saving; the horses are basically clean. Get leather gloves with Thinsulate. A neck tube is much safer than a scarf. Consider using your polo bandages with underwraps to keep your horses tendons warm when it's approaching -10C or colder, but I admit my whole collection sits unused since I'd much rather be able to hack in the snow, which warms up the soft tissue anyway. Try a quarter sheet, it might give the horse a sensation to engage the hind legs, but make sure it's secure. Don't make your horse really sweaty, focus more on relaxation and collection and keep the session short and positive. Studies show lung inflammation occurs when horses are made to breathe deeply for long periods at these temperatures. Can you mount, go, turn, stop and back up without using your reins? Get to know and love your sitting trot, where the dressage really starts.
Grab your sunglasses and go hacking, whether or not it's slushy, hard packed or soft. Exposure to different footings increases physical resilience. Look for turkey and deer tracks. Listen to the breeze in the trees.
A fresh snow resets the stage.
January 2021, Ludi at Westmeath Park
RSS Feed