Winter horse blues

[vicklynn]

So I asked Bob a couple weeks ago, what if we sell the horses. Yup, I did. He said he needs them, if only to teach him patients and unconditional love. He has learned alot of that I tell ya. He has come so far since we first got Storm.
So, here I am today again, having that feeling, and even thinking, maybe just City, we will keep Myst cause she is so easy. City can not be a one horse man, he is needy.
So, I call my buddy, have a talk with her, she says it sounds like winter issues. We have had 2 very hard winters past, City being lamed up for most of one summer, and now its so frigid cold, hard ground ect, that riding is not fun nor even a thought.
Finding a riding buddy is so hard. Im pretty anal about not letting City graze on the trail, and I dont like people in Mysts mouth. Those 2 things bug me too. I mean, I am so tired of people saying "I can ride" and they cant, nor do they listen to my instruction...ie, City not grazing on the trail, not being in Mysts mouth, or even the last time, the lady got hurt. I just dont trust the "I can ride" words any more.
I sure hope Spring brings me out of this. Im Praying for an answer. My heart is uneasy right now, not sure which way is the right way to go.

Anyone else having winter horse blues???

[Horserider]

Aww I'm sorry. I don't have a horse right now so I'm just plain blue. I can't even ride right now since it's winter. :(

[Steelhorserider]

It sounds like the winter horse blues. I have not ridden much the last 2 years due to medical issues with my ankle. I finally had the surgery and should be able to resume riding this spring. I have had the same issues....I am not able to ride/haven't ridden so much in the last 2 years, should I sell my horses to someone else. It seems everytime I feel this way one of the girls will come over and give me that look that says hang in there...better times are coming. Hang in there Vicklynn...better times are coming.

[Gypsy Rose]

I sometimes question my sanity in even having a horse in the winter- with having to go out in the freezing cold four times a day, and hauling water by hand.

[Ranger44]

I know where you are coming from Vick. Patience is the key. For instance. I have had horses for over two years and just rode one of my own for the first time this fall. Now with the temps and the snow riding isn't an option for me. I got into horses just to ride. I have the place to keep them and ride but got off to a typical start not knowing how to do it right. My main mentor didn't help much. So for now I am waiting for next spring and hope to ride very often. I need to sell a couple or more and need to buy one more "anyone can ride" type horse. Then I need time in the saddle. PATIENCE will get me there. I hope your answer comes to you. Good luck :cowboy:.

[cloedoll]

Awe, (((hugs))).
Wait until Spring before you make any decisions, please?
I got out in the 0° weather (felt like -18° with the 20mph winds, though) and rode my horse. Yes, yes I did. Yes, yes I am crazy. That was the first time I had ridden Keidas in three months! :eek: My gosh, during summertime I ride 5x at least a week and gah, I am missing my ponies and warm summer sun. I do love wintertime, though, just, a nice warm day wouldn't be so bad.

[vicklynn]

It sounds like the winter horse blues. I have not ridden much the last 2 years due to medical issues with my ankle. I finally had the surgery and should be able to resume riding this spring. I have had the same issues....I am not able to ride/haven't ridden so much in the last 2 years, should I sell my horses to someone else. It seems everytime I feel this way one of the girls will come over and give me that look that says hang in there...better times are coming. Hang in there Vicklynn...better times are coming.
Yup, the look, yup, that does it every time. I cant believe the look Myst gave me when I came home from WA, that one will stay with me forever. City had a friggen teenage fit, but I think he is over it now.
Thanks for the Hang in there. Im glad Im not alone in this feeling. ((HUGS))
I just got a mess from Bob, he said
Honey is Bob...lol

Honey:Lets be patient with this for now, I was thinking about this situation with the horses, I pray things will be different this spring, there are many factors involved right now, it's winter and the horses are not going to be ridden now, although they could be with some nice days.

Honey: It's taken a lot to get us to where we are now, where the property is horse friendly. There is still some fine tuning to do. I would like to put a small gate like the one we use in between City and Myst right next to the big gate we use now. It would mount to that wood post the big gate uses, this would give us access to the property without having to fuss with the horses when we need to. Of course it would be locked when not in use. But I can see that really helping to maintain the property without going through the horse area.

He sure is thinking hu? Glad to see him on the horses side.

[vicklynn]

Gypsy, Ranger, and Cloe(nuts girl, just nuts, brrrrr..lol)
Thanks, I need to hear these stories right now. I will make no decision while I am feeling this way.

[Dixie]

I am right there with you. To say the least the weather has not been all that cooperative for riding for the past two years. To much rain, way to dang hot, way to cold, ice....seriously, a mild summer would be nice for once! We've had 2, yes 2 days without rain since Thanksgiving, my poor horses were standing in ankle deep water and my land is NOT flat it should not hold standing water! At this rate, my plans for spring and summer will be put on hold again....*sigh*

[Horserider]

Maybe we should all buy a farm in NC or somewhere warm and move there. :cool: I can dream can't I?

[vicklynn]

Maybe we should all buy a farm in NC or somewhere warm and move there. :cool: I can dream can't I?
Yup, that would be cool. I like NC. Keep dreaming girl.

[Buckpoco]

I go through that a lot Vick. It's awful. I had to retire early from teaching because my hubby got sick...so our income was cut to less than half. Normal people would have sold the horses...not us, we moved and gave up our whole support network of friends so we could keep the horses. In winter, I do ask myself if I'm nuts, should I sell the horses and move to a condo??? But when I think of not having them, that's not the answer either. Also, my hubby is supposed to ride for therapy and it's the one thing we do together. But the winter sure brings on the blues. I just know God is with me and will see me through the tough times. I do like nighttime when we're cuddled up in front of the woodstove...then I dream of spring.

[GrungeEquestrian]

Ah don't worry I am feeling the same way too. Today I drove over to the barn to look and see that it was -2...so no riding for me. It has been so depressing lately...I still come out 5 days a week but I can't do any hardcore training and there is usually hardly anyone there (even though we have an indoor arena). Today when I got there the BO was finishing up and she had a funny look on her face. She must think I am crazy for coming out...so I brushe down Trouble and rode her around with a lead rope and halter at a walk. Not much fun...stupid weather.

I am with you on counting down the days until Spring...o will I be excited when they start shedding those winter coats.

[vicklynn]

Oh, wow, sounds like we need a Hurry up Spring post instead. You all are making me feel so much better. And were all feeling the same crappy way. I hope this has helped you as much as it is helping me.

[oursarge]

I have some kind of blues, I haven't even seen my horses in a week because I hurt my back so my husband has been feeding them. I haven't ridden our mare in 2 months because of a bladder infection, a virus, a bird attack, going to the ER with an allergy attack, having a rash all over my head and face from the shampoo I was using and then getting my back hurt. It never stops raining or snowing. It's been beyond frustrating.

We brought my horse here a yr ago in Oct. We got the other about 2 days later. Since then I've hardly ridden either of them. It rained most of last fall then we started getting snow in Nov. I got through the winter last year thinking that spring, summer and fall HAD to be better than the year before. I had so many plans. It wasn't any better than the year before. We've had more rain than we've ever had, I feel like I should be building an ark. My round pen was floating all spring and most of the summer. I couldn't work them I couldn't ride them, when it wasn't raining the mud was so slippery it was like ice. Then one had a bout of uveitis so I couldn't do anything with him even if it was nice. I rode the other a few times. I had such plans and now here we are into winter again with a foot of snow and ice on the ground and I got nothing accomplished and now because I got hurt I can't even see them except out the window.

I did ride our mare all summer so I felt like I got pretty far with her, we mostly rode inside because of the rain. My friend built a beautiful outdoor arena I think we used it 5 times at the most because of rain rain and more rain. Then I got the bladder infection from H*&& and I still can't shake it, it's not there all the time but there is something not right. I felt like I was really bonding with her and was so happy, we were doing great, even went in the barn horse shows and got 3 blues and 2 reds, she follows me all over and she knows so many things, it was great. Then the infection came along with everything else and I've hardly been to the stable. SO ANYWAY I think I have some kind of blues. I don't want to get rid of the horses but I sure would like to be able to play with them or do something with them. Right now I think I'd sell everything I had for an indoor arena here so I could work with them in dry/safe conditions. I'd also like to feel better and not feel so cold so I can see my girl. She's been running wild with the Geldings for 2 months up on the hill behind the stable. We can't keep her with the mares because she is a brat with them so she's with the boys bossing them around. Hopefully she'll remember me when things get straightened out.

I never trust when people say they can ride. My friend is a trainer but also takes trail rides out. She always asks the people if they've ridden so she knows what horse to put them on. One lady came in and said she was an expert rider. She got put on one of the horses that needs a better rider. They had to turn around before they got very far because the lady then admitted she never rode before. I don't understand why people lie about it. The other favorite is "We rode on the beach while on vacation so we know how to ride". We don't let any of the horses eat on the trail, the only thing they will do is if we're going through high grass they might grab some on the way by but they don't eat when stopped.

I guess you can tell I have some kind of blues, mine has been since August though with the infection but I kept hoping that I could do so much with my boys and I really feel like I got nothing done but feed them, I wanted to bond with them so much more and it's hard when there is nothing to do with them but stand in the barn looking at them. I can't even keep them clean because the mud is horrid and they love to roll in it. I don't want a drought but I sure do wish that the rain would come maybe once a week rather than every other day.

Aren't you sorry you asked if anyone else has the blues?

[vicklynn]

I have some kind of blues, I haven't even seen my horses in a week because I hurt my back so my husband has been feeding them. I haven't ridden our mare in 2 months because of a bladder infection, a virus, a bird attack, going to the ER with an allergy attack, having a rash all over my head and face from the shampoo I was using and then getting my back hurt. It never stops raining or snowing. It's been beyond frustrating.

We brought my horse here a yr ago in Oct. We got the other about 2 days later. Since then I've hardly ridden either of them. It rained most of last fall then we started getting snow in Nov. I got through the winter last year thinking that spring, summer and fall HAD to be better than the year before. I had so many plans. It wasn't any better than the year before. We've had more rain than we've ever had, I feel like I should be building an ark. My round pen was floating all spring and most of the summer. I couldn't work them I couldn't ride them, when it wasn't raining the mud was so slippery it was like ice. Then one had a bout of uveitis so I couldn't do anything with him even if it was nice. I rode the other a few times. I had such plans and now here we are into winter again with a foot of snow and ice on the ground and I got nothing accomplished and now because I got hurt I can't even see them except out the window.

I did ride our mare all summer so I felt like I got pretty far with her, we mostly rode inside because of the rain. My friend built a beautiful outdoor arena I think we used it 5 times at the most because of rain rain and more rain. Then I got the bladder infection from H*&& and I still can't shake it, it's not there all the time but there is something not right. I felt like I was really bonding with her and was so happy, we were doing great, even went in the barn horse shows and got 3 blues and 2 reds, she follows me all over and she knows so many things, it was great. Then the infection came along with everything else and I've hardly been to the stable. SO ANYWAY I think I have some kind of blues. I don't want to get rid of the horses but I sure would like to be able to play with them or do something with them. Right now I think I'd sell everything I had for an indoor arena here so I could work with them in dry/safe conditions. I'd also like to feel better and not feel so cold so I can see my girl. She's been running wild with the Geldings for 2 months up on the hill behind the stable. We can't keep her with the mares because she is a brat with them so she's with the boys bossing them around. Hopefully she'll remember me when things get straightened out.

I never trust when people say they can ride. My friend is a trainer but also takes trail rides out. She always asks the people if they've ridden so she knows what horse to put them on. One lady came in and said she was an expert rider. She got put on one of the horses that needs a better rider. They had to turn around before they got very far because the lady then admitted she never rode before. I don't understand why people lie about it. The other favorite is "We rode on the beach while on vacation so we know how to ride". We don't let any of the horses eat on the trail, the only thing they will do is if we're going through high grass they might grab some on the way by but they don't eat when stopped.

I guess you can tell I have some kind of blues, mine has been since August though with the infection but I kept hoping that I could do so much with my boys and I really feel like I got nothing done but feed them, I wanted to bond with them so much more and it's hard when there is nothing to do with them but stand in the barn looking at them. I can't even keep them clean because the mud is horrid and they love to roll in it. I don't want a drought but I sure do wish that the rain would come maybe once a week rather than every other day.

Aren't you sorry you asked if anyone else has the blues?
NO, not at all. But you need some serious ((HUGS))girl.

[elevenelevenxo]

I don't have a horse right now obviously, but I kind of feel the winter horse blues... I just got home from the new barn I'm working at and most likely going to be boarding at. We're having some of the coldest weather Ohio EVER gets and while I stayed nice and warm in my millions of layers and moving around, it still wasn't what I'd call "enjoyable" and while I was cleaning stalls I started thinking whether I REALLY want a horse of my own and whether this is worth it. The conclusion I came to is YES. It is. It's not always going to be a cakewalk, but ultimately I think the hard work will make me a better person. And I know that when I finally DO find the right horse, I'll feel a little different and the work will be a little more worth it than it currently is.

Horses are so therapeutic for me. My back hurts, my arms hurt, I smell like POOP....haha, but it felt good being around the barn tonight. Talking horses with a few of the other barn people, hearing the horses get excited for their dinner, watching them kick up their heels when I turn them out to clean their stall.....it's all satisfying. :)

I bet you'll come out of it once the weather improves and the sun is out longer. But (((hugs))) for you in the meantime!

[sarhound]

I knew I should have stopped long enough to get a picture--I thought of you when I saw this little herd of horses.

All of them are black/white paints. They're not in the best place to live, but they all look to be in good condition. They'd look awfully good out at your place...

I'll see if I can get a shot of them the next time I go to get groceries. You'd like it.

[vicklynn]

Im sure I would SAR. I love them black n whites.

[lisakaye]

Vick, I can see where you are comming from but I can't imagine you selling either of your horses. Can you ride bare back at least for a few minutes every day or is it too cold? It will get better soon I hope. chin up!!
I get very depressed when I can't ride on the weekends, I love the winter weather and snow as long as I can still ride...

[lovesfortune]

Vick,
Add me to the list of people that feel like you. I felt this way last winter, my FIRST winter with horses and WB helped talk me out if it. Hopefully she'll come here too. It's easy to loose sight sometimes when you do all the hard work (like in the winter) without rewards (like a good ride). That is why WB suggested we get horses we can ride, and not just companions. I was bucketing water, feeding all the time, checking weight, etc. They stressed me out. I loved them, but I needed something more out of it. I found that when I got my two now that even just ONE good ride this summer was enough for me.

Now it's winter again and I don't see myself doing any riding. It's SO cold it's unreal and I have a hard enough time staying warm the 15 min. I'm out several times a day to check and water, etc.

Patience is getting me through, and I'm trying to use this time to really bond with my horses and understand them a bit more. And I just keep thinking about spring and all the great rides we can have.

I'm glad Bob is helping you think it through and he wants to keep them.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Awe, vick.:( (((Hugs)))

Things definately are harder in the winter time, a lot harder. It was 8* degrees here this morning, 4* last night with 30 mph winds that made the temperature more like -20*.
It took me forever to break the horses' water this morning and get all the ice chunks out. It freezed so fast that I hauled 6 buckets of water to them today. It's bitter cold, the wind has been howling every night for the past 2 or 3 days, the ground is frozen solid, and I'm using a sled to haul hay to the horses and goats. Their blankets stay on all day every day and I haven't ridden in over a month and it's driving me crazy.
It's definately hard, but my animals are so worth it. And judging by the way you talk about Myst and City and how much you care about them, I bet deep down they're worth it to you too. I think you would really regret selling them and miss them terribly.

I know we still have a long winter ahead of us, but yesterday was the shortest day of the year. Now the days will start to get longer. A new year is coming, and the promise of spring isn't that far away. Things will get better then.
Actually, to me Christmas is a celebration of the Winter Solstice and the coming of a new year. My dad was telling me that long, long ago the Pagens brough pine trees into their homes as decorations for their celebration because it was the only tree that remained green even in the winter time (and that's what started the tradion of decorating Christmas trees). That's also why red is a Christmas color, because of poinsettias (winter flowers) and the red berries you'll find growing wild this time of year. They are a promise that spring will come again.
The point is that it won't stay like this forever, that spring will come again, and who knows that the new year will bring. In the mean time, just try to hang in there. Maybe look at some picture or videos of the horses from over the summer, and think about all the joy they bring you. I know you said it's too cold for you to ride, but when you're feeling down just go stand with the horses for a minute or two. Listen to them chew their hay, lay your head on their necks and slide one of your hands under their blankets. That helps a lot, trust me. The reason I always put a hand under their blankets is to A.) warm up my fingers, and B.) feeling that they are nice and dry and toasty underneith is very reasuring to me, and always makes me feel better.:) That may sound weird, but a quiet moment with them and planting a kiss on their noses can do a whole lot of good.

I know you love them. You can get through this!


None of that probably made you feel any better, but I tried. We're here if you need to vent. ((((Hugs))))

[JackieB]

I know you said it's too cold for you to ride, but when you're feeling down just go stand with the horses for a minute or two. Listen to them chew their hay, lay your head on their necks and slide one of your hands under their blankets. That helps a lot, trust me. The reason I always put a hand under their blankets is to A.) warm up my fingers, and B.) feeling that they are nice and dry and toasty underneith is very reasuring to me, and always makes me feel better.:)

This is what I do in the winter. Just try to enjoy Buster without any expectation of riding or anything. Just watching him eat hay is very relaxing.

I definitely, absolutely, wouldn't do anything while you are feeling this way. If you still feel this way next summer, then maybe think about it some more. Winter is difficult for lots of us (except that crazy Cloedoll :)), but spring comes around with the warmth and green, and it's all worthwhile.

[KCandAllegro'sMom]

Anyone else having winter horse blues???

Yeah, I was having a "woe is me moment" tonight while cleaning my stalls.

The boys haven't been able to go out because of the weather (no shelter in the pasture where I board) and their stalls have been pig stys. I clean them daily no matter what, but they were pretty bad tonight.

I was pretty grumpy about my Appy's stall because he's ususally "Mr. Clean", but tonight he took lessons from Allegro. I was just tired, cold, and cranky and was having thoughts about why I do this when there doesn't seem to be much of a reward.

- Now I know this isn't true...because I'd be lost without the horses...but I think it's normaly to have these thoughts in the winter. The cold just makes me miserable.

[valleyrider]

Vickylynn,, no no no,, do not make any decisions about selling while you have the winter horsey blues. You love your City and Mist. Sometimes people say I am nuts to go out there everyday in this cold to do what I do to take care of them,, but we all do it because we love them.They count on us to care for them. I totally agree with Dakota and Jackie.. Just go out there and talk to them, maybe brush them, give them some treats, enjoy there company,, they will listen.. That is what I do when I cannot ride cause it is too cold. I try to look foward for warmer winter days and think about how fun it will be to go for a ride with Bones. The days are getting longer and before you know it,, spring will be here.. Hang in there :)

[Kowgirlkate]

Vickylynn :trout: does that help lol? seriously though, it does sound like the winter blues. You've come a long way with City, think of this time off as just a vacation or a lull and when warmer weather comes things will look better. It is frustrating when a person cant ride for one reason or the other :(, but winter goes away sooner or later, just hang in there

[Vegashorselady]

I always feel overwhelmed in the winter. Short cold days and bad weather always makes me feel like I'm not giving the horses the attention they deserve. I start to regret having more than one horse and thinking about leasing one out. But, spring comes, the days are longer and weather is warmer and all that goes away. Wait and see how you feel after spring comes.

[jeezitsjacki]

yup I know that feeling. I was very excited to come home from break so I could ride Ben and work on some things. Instead, we got slammed by snow, and now I am leaving for a while. I am really dissapointed, especially when I got home and realized I hadnt taken any pictures of ben in the snow. Try and pull through. Go spend an afternoon with the horses, brushing and loving, and hopefully spring will come soon

[offgridgirl]

To fight the winter blues. I ride everyday for at least 10-15 minutes. If I couldn't do that I would just go an sit(lie down-head on horses rump) in the sun preferably. It gets real tiresome hauling water and cleaning stalls in this weather. Don't make any decisions right now....:)

[Country Girl 43]

Aww Vick....We don't have snow, but it;s been raining alot here. So I know how you feel.

Don't think about selling them yet. You know you love them both and they are both healthy and you have your own property. You have everything that is needed, including all the love for your horses.

Just cuddle up with nice warm blanket and cup of coffee and relax. Spring will be here before you know it.

Chin up girlfriend

[gaited07]

Vicklynn,
I too go through this every so often. It will pass and you will again be enjoying your prized time with the spotted kids soon.
As for riders, I whole heartedly understand this one. Learned this YEARS ago like you did with people telling me how they know how to ride and find out it was a lead-line pony when they was 3 years old:rolleyes:.
You will find that riding partner to share those trails with all in due time.
Just think of it, you would totally be miserable without your horse or horses. The way you talk about our horses is with such enthusiasm and passion. Keep the passion, the flame with burn again soon in the spring!

[HoustonFarrier]

Well....look at the bright side...at least you don't have 8 Clydesdales to feed !!! :p

Hang in there !

Steve

[Remali]

Awwww Vick, winter is awful for owning horses. I hope you wait it out, it will pass....I would hate for you to sell either of them because I know you love them so much. It's the winter blahs and it'll pass. Maybe do some games on the ground with them, if you can, when you can't ride. Hang in there girl, it'll pass and you will feel better, we're almost to 2009 now!

[gaited07]

Well....look at the bright side...at least you don't have 8 Clydesdales to feed !!! :p

Hang in there !

Steve


Way to keep it "LIGHT" Steve:p:hysterical:

[Equine_Woman]

Well....look at the bright side...at least you don't have 8 Clydesdales to feed !!! :p

Hang in there !

Steve

Yes but we're here in Texas Steve!!! It's not cold here but once a year!! (maybe twice. . .) Lol. I'd rather feed 8 Clydesdales (and clean stalls) than spend 15 minutes out in the cold feeding 2!! Brrrrrr.

Vick, I know how you feel but my blues came from loosing my place to ride. When I moved to my property I lost my arenas and trails so I can't ride unless I haul my horse somewhere. It's depressing. So in the winter I often don't ride. Hang in there!! It won't be long and Spring will be here! We should meet in Oklahoma with everyone and have a trail ride camping thing!! Long drive but it's kinda central!!! Hmmmm. . . wonder how many people are close enough to OK to ride?

[IrisGreen]

I don't really get the winter horse blues... I guess because I don't ride Muffin yet. I'm used to just spending time with him and not riding so I don't get upset when I can't ride. I don't feel I'm not doing him justice because I'm not riding him.

I do get upset because my driving training is going so slow. I get upset during the summer as much as I do during the winter. That's when I feel I'm not doing him justice by not having him trained to drive yet. I feel like he should already be hooked up and driving but because I'm always home alone I have to wait for Hubby to come home on the weekends and have the time to help me finish Muffins training. I get depressed thinking about how Muffin should be farther along then he is. He is ready to start driving, I just can't go it alone with out a spotter.

I think we get the winter horse blues because we think we are not doing them Justice by not riding them. But, I don't think it's all about riding them that makes us keep them or love them. If it was only about riding them we would go rent someone else's horse and not have to take care of them. It's about the bond, the relationship, the funny little quarks and the time you spend with them. Riding is only one little part of the big picture.

I have seen videos of Vicklynn and her horses, fallowing her around, almost dancing with her every step. Where is that video? That bond you have, that willingness of the horse to just be around you and play with you. There was no riding in that video, yet it was such a fun video to watch you playing and interacting with the horses on the ground. Those are the things we get to enjoy as full time horse owners, the little things that don't involve riding. Anyone can get on a horse, rent a horse, lease a horse. But, not everyone gets to know the love of a horse, the relationship you can have on the ground.

Most non-horse people don't even know there are other things you can do or enjoy with a horse besides ride them. You can enjoy watching them play in the snow, roll in the grass, spunk out when you come home, and snuggle up to you just because they want too. Those are the things we get to see and smile about that other people miss out on.

I am thankful that we have the property to keep a horse. There are so many people that love horses but don't have the property or they have to board. I get to wake up and look out my window and there is Muffin, all covered in wet mud...But I wouldn't have it any other way. :) He's my happy mud monster that's always happy to see me :)

Sorry I carried on so much. I just hope you see all the other reasons why you love your horses other then just riding. We are lucky to have the property to enjoy are horses any time we step foot out the door. I think that's amazing and a blessing. I grew up in the city so our little 1 acre place is huge when our friends come out to visit. lol It's little compared to what I would like to have but it's big enough to keep Muffin in the family :)