How to Ride Horses in the Winter

Winter is cold, beautiful, and pristine. For dedicated horse people, this is a perfect time of year to enjoy the silence and joy of horseback riding. This article will give you some tips on how to enjoy riding in winter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Warm clothes
• A well trained horse
• Gloves
• Helmet

Riding in the winter - how to do it and enjoy it

1. Horseback riding is great fun and great exercise, and when teamed up with cold air and winter wonderlands, it is even better. In order to make sure you and your horse have the best time, you need to be prepared. Make sure you are adequately dressed in layers. As you ride and the sun shines, you will heat up, and need to be able to shed some of your layers, then put them back on later. Make sure you have a small bag to put these clothes in that will attach to your saddle.
2. Your horse needs to be equipped as well. Make sure his feet are clear of ice and snow, and that he has a boot or shoe of some sort to keep him from slipping on the ice. If you do not have a special foot cover for him, just be aware that you all will need to avoid icy patches, and your ride will be limited in time - as the ice and snow will build up in his foot.
3. Wear your helmet. You must always wear a helmet when riding, but never more so than in the winter when treacherous ice may be hiding under any snow bank. If your horse slips and you both go down, that helmet might save your life.
4. Pack water to drink. Riding is exercise, and you will find with all the extra clothes on, you will sweat and get thirsty. So be sure and have a bottle of water somewhere in your jacket where it will not freeze.
5. Take a buddy, or make sure you let someone know where and when you are going, and when you will be back. Make sure you head home long before twilight and always err on the side of caution. Don't be so caught up in the beauty of the ride you forget the basic dangers of winter.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure you have a cell phone on you when you ride in winter, or a whistle to alert someone if you need help.
• NEVER ride in winter without a helmet.