How cold is too cold for riding?

[mlle_beau]

The thread about snow reminded me of this. With winter quickly approaching ( :( ) I am wondering how cold it has to get for you to not ride? Also are there any other winter-specific issues that would keep you from riding? Obviously ice skating rinks for pastures/arenas and knee-deep snow are pretty good deterrents, lol.

[WashingtonBay]

I think the answer to this depends a lot on what YOU can take, more than the horse.

My winter-specific issue that keeps me from riding is I don't like to put tack on a dirty horse, I don't like to ride in the rain, I don't like to ride in mud, and our trails close in winter.

I'll climb on bareback sometimes when there is a fresh snow and pad around the property as a lark, but I pretty much don't ride in winter otherwise.

The considerations for winter riding are keeping the horse's temperature from swinging too much. In a heavy winter coat, they'll sweat easily working very hard, much as you would going jogging or working out in a parka... and once wet, it is difficult to get them dry without getting chilled as they cool off. Wet from sweat is a different kind of wet than wet from rain... it's all the way to the skin and robs them of warmth.

Many people clip horses who will be ridden a lot, at least the major sweat areas on the horse, so they don't get so hot and can dry off quicker. Then, usually, you'd want to blanket them to replace what you've clipped off.

[FatSpottedAppy]

I usually don't ride in the winter.. I rode a maximum of 10 times in the dead of winter last year. I HATE the freezing cold! Our roads dont get plowed often so they are usually icey which is obviously a reason I wouldn't ride and like you said, the really, really deep snow I'd refuse to ride in. I also hate stocking up in clothes, hats, gloves and scarves to keep warm-- it takes all the fun out of everything. :(

[Gypsy Rose]

When my fingers get too cold even with gloves on after 10-15 minutes, or my toes get cold just as fast- whichever comes first- I'm done riding until it gets back in my comfort zone, temp wise!

The only other thing that will stop me is ice.

When the snow gets too deep, and it's warm enough, I ride up and down the driveway!

[sugarsgirl]

I'm moving to a barn that has in indoor arena next month so I can ride in the winter, but I rarely ride outside when I do ride in the winter. When I do ride outside, I make sure that its not icy/too snowy.

[cloedoll]

I rode in -10° weather, the horses were fine, it is more about keeping myself warm. You definitely need to be careful in those temperatures because things can go wrong quick. If you choose to ride in that cold of weather, bundle up and make sure to warm your horse up really well. The ground is frozen so you need to find footing that is not too hard on the horse's legs, too.

[Arrow]

I ride trails exclusively.

Breathe deeply--does it hurt? If not--ride, if it does--don't! If it's too cold for you to jog and breathe comfortably, it's too cold for him to work.

I ride if it's 15 degrees or so and up. If it's too windy with really bad windchills--then I don't ride. Also if it's overly icy--or overly slushy. A big melt of deep snow is awfully hard work for the horse. I've ridden in snow almost up to his belly when it's fresh--but not when it's warm and melting.

I ride 4 or 5 days a week in the winter--though usually only for 45 minutes or so, and just walking most of the way. It's almost impossible to dry a wet horse in the winter if they're furry.

[WashingtonBay]

And your last paragraph is the key Arrow.... moderate the type of exercise so they don't get overly hot and sweaty when it's cold. They can swing from hot to chilled quick.

[Diane of Buck's Hollow]

I love to bundle up and ride in the Winter. Here in Georgia, if the sun is out and not overcast or raining, it warms up a little during the middle of the day. Of course, I got Buck last November and if I wanted to ride, I rode in the Winter.

I won't ride when it is icy..or raining or muddy and we don't really get any snow.

I am not sure, if it was just the awesome feeling of finally having a horse, or what...but I absolutely loved sitting with Buck on cold early mornings...drinking my coffee and watching my "breath". But I am talking about Georgia Winters and not the Winters like alot of you guys get.

eta to say that I would only ride when it is sunny and give Buck lots of time to dry before the night.

[JetLagaside]

I'm such a wimp when it comes to riding in the cold but since I don't have a choice I do it anyway :) anything under 20 degrees is just to cold for me and all that really cold air in their lungs isn't good either if you are really working isn't good either. I found a great pair of riding mittens that have made a huge difference and thats where part 2 comes in - the right gear makes a huge difference. just my 2 cents.

[zoel_222]

I ride all winter regardless of temperature. I'm from Alaska so I probably only got 4 or 5 rides a year where it was above 50 degrees. I'm very used to the cold. I ride in the rain, mud and snow. But I hate wind. I absolutely cannot stand riding in the wind. It's the only weather that stops me. I can't hear anything, and stuff is blowing in my eyes and the horse is nervous because they can't smell anything and it's just unpleasant for everyone.

[Buckpoco]

As long as it's not icy or windy we ride. I love to ride in light snow and my favorite time is when it has just started snowing!

We trailered last winter to a park and rode the trails when the footing was good, or stayed on the blacktop if the trails were icy.

I think I hate wind (of course ice is dangerous so forget that) more than anything. It goes right through you no matter what you wear.

In winter I use silk long johns and polar fleece and the hand and toe warmers and it's pretty comfy (as long as there's no wind.)

The horses always seem to enjoy winter riding. I know they prefer that to heat and bugs. We take it pretty easy and don't get them sweated up.

Right now is our best time in NY. The leaves are changing, bugs are gone and it's in the sixties-seventies. I wish it stayed like this year round.

[shynbvs]

I agree with everyone else, its more about keeping yourself warm. But if its below freezing i wouldn't ride for very long. It would also depend on wether your horse is clipped or not. I would get a quarter sheet.

[Buckpoco]

Yes, when I was at a show barn and had my horse clipped, I used a quarter sheet and never had a problem.
Now, my hubby and I just trail ride, don't clip or blanket and the horses do just fine.

[mlle_beau]

Okay, well that was interesting to see everybody's limits. I think last year if it got below freezing, or if it was snowing more than just a few flakes, I wouldn't have a lesson. We have an indoor arena and the horses are all blanketed so that helped. I will hopefully start half leasing a horse this month so I was trying to think of where to draw the line. I'm a complete wimp when it comes to cold, snow, and wind, so I probably don't need to worry about jeopardizing the health of the horse, lol.

[Miracle Whip]

I have been known to wear an insulated coverall and John Deere fur lined boots when I ride. Check out the hunting section for insulated pants and other gear. Hunters sit around in tree stands and know how to keep warm.

Generally, I go up and down the road a few times, 1/2 mile total maybe more, just to get out of the pen and see the world. Its nice if you have a horse that responds to leg pressure, because then you can manuever them easier - I've had to go around ice patches on occassion and I've got one SMART cautious mare. The gelding would probably be like Bambi on ice. We use him to haul wood up to the house instead.

[valleyrider]

I hate the cold, anything less than 28 and I won't ride. Not good for them to get too sweaty and get a chill so we do not go too far. Of corse if there is ice or ice under snow no matter what the temps are, it is just not safe.. But I do have to say, there is nothing like a ride in the fields on a fresh blanket of snow. Some times I'll ride bareback. His bodyheat helps keep you warm. But the fingers and toes always get chilled then it is time to go home and drink hot chocolate.

[Dakota Sunrise]

I will ride in the winter as long as it's not too cold for me to stand, or too windy or icy. I don't ride as far or as long, but I love a bareback walk through the snow. My horses are blankets but they're not clipped, so I don't want them getting to sweated up. We mostly just walk around in the pasture bareback, maybe do a little trotting. If we actually get to canter than it's an exciting day. But the cold won't stop me. I get a little nuts if I go too long without riding.:p

[PaintedLady]

I don't do winter well at all, so The Painted Lady is about to go on a loooooong vacation. She'll have to go back to work....oh....around April...or May....

[AUEquine]

Wow... reading this thread just makes me so happy I live in Alabama! We ride and compete through the whole winter! Under Armore is your best friend, it's great for winter riding! We have pretty mild winters down here so there only a few times durring the winter when I won't ride, and that's usually when the humidity is up (ie. wet cold... ouch) or it's too windy!
Though I think it would be fun to have snow... I read about how everyone has to deal with snow and animals... I think I'll just stick to visiting the snow!!

[FrogInABlender]

I'm with you AU! Some of our best riding weather is in the wintertime when the leaves are off the trees. We have lots of big rock formations and cliffs where I ride and that's the only time you can actually SEE them. The rest of the time they're just hidden in the trees. The only time I'll miss riding on the weekend in the wintertime is if it's raining. Otherwise it just doesn't GET cold enought here to keep me in home.

The big question here is when is it too HOT to ride. You can put on enough clothes to keep yourself warm, but you can only take off so many before you get in trouble. ;)

[AppyLady]

Any time it's between 0 and 100 degrees, it's a good day to ride!