Horsey people! And non horsey people!

[inforthewin]

I know I could post on the tack room but there isn’t always traffic there.

does anyone else (horsey people and non horsey people!) feel completely miserable at the fact it’s almost winter?

I had to bring in my horse from the field and he was completely CAKED in mud- it suddenly hit me that summer is over. Bring on the rain, mud, wind and freezing cold. 6 months of utter misery!

I could cry at the thought of freezing hands, muddy horses, swampy fields and icy roads. I swear there should be a devision of seasonal affected disorder specifically for equestrians being miserable with winter.

countdown to summer begins🤞🏻

Yes! I was walking the dog at 6.30 in a valley and suddenly realised the clocks will change at the end of the month and I won’t be able to go down there in the evening because it will be pitch dark.

I love the Autumn! Crunchy leaves everywhere, cozy hot drinks and warm clothes. Fireworks, crisp morning walks. All goes downhill in January though. January and February are shite 😫

The pure thought of soaking a hay net…

I’m just very envious that you have a horse. I’ve never had the means to own one.

Mmm soaking hay nets in a dustbin for of freezing cold water. Urgh!!!!

I hate the dark nights. For a starter my dog is black and needs a yellow coat and light up stuff otherwise if he goes off lead he could be anywhere at 6:30/7am! The mud and wet coats etc.

I quite like the winter routine of tucking them up for bed in a nice warm stable and not having to get them in before riding (prefer to ride in the morning). Mucking out while they’re having brekkie on the patio. Nice!

YANBU. Desperately holding off bringing them in here. Rugs are on at night and we are feeding hay in the field. Hopefully they can stay out a bit longer if the rain holds off.

I am fed up with it too. I am in Scotland so it is even wetter up here. I am working from home three days a week so it does make the turn out/in a bit easier than it gas been in the past.

Yep. Mine lives out year round (with a field shelter and natural shelter from the trees, and my friends 2 horses as companions AND rugs on) but I too am dreading it. Just the thought of going to try hang some nets in the shelter for them all in the dark (we do have lighting but still) when it’s blowing a gale and torrential rain and they’re all going nuts…..and yet I’m in winter number 20 something of this so I’m either daft or there’s some fun in it somewhere….??
roll on spring!

every year I say I’ll do it, and I never ever do. But this year I will!

ive got new mats, and I’ve ordered straw (normally use shavings) which I’ll pack the mud with, then the mats then straw on top. This year is the year!

I’ve got a grey. Who is currently black. I’m clipping next week tho!

interestingly, we have just had our road committee meeting and decided to put a cattle grid at the end of our private road, just because riders are so entitled. We have masses of horse shit and our road party was interrupted by to horses who "could'n't go the other way as it was too steep" when the road was legally closed.

Pets are fine as long as they do not ivconviencene anyone else.

I’m in the north east of Scotland. You’ve described summer. Winter is scraping snow out the field (I’ve got natives on grass livery only) heavy rugs, frozen water and hoses, extra haylage and hard feeds coz grazing is under snow or compacted hard. It’s having to put studs on the big beastie, said big beastie calculating how much grip you’ve got in your wellies and going sod this you’re getting dragged. it’s having to walk there (lazy bastard really, they’re only across the road or one field away) coz you can’t get a car up there. I don’t mind though. Can rest them over winter so no tack needing cleaned or sorted and no fighting with the big bugger to get him to stand still near the crate.

I'm contemplating clipping tomorrow. Winter is definitely on its way :(

Yup, this week it has definitely felt like winter is upon us. How long until I crack and they are in at night. I give it two weeks! WFH does make it all less stressful though.

Haha we’re the same. I’m in Scotland too- summer is just about bearable but the winters are just awful!

Yes, we've already clipped once, just bib clips. About to do a second clip and upgrade to a chaser, now they're getting hairier.

Gateways are starting to get muddy. Evenings getting dark so early. Ponies having to go out in rugs.

So depressed at the thought that we've got another six months before we come out of this.

YANBU. There are many things I like about winter, but mud and muddy horses aren't on that list. Nor are frozen pipes, lack of daylight, poor ground conditions, slippery roads and the bloody hunt stirring everything up.

right, not really sure how that’s relevant?

As a side note, anyone who complains about horses on the road because of horse poo is a bit unhinged in my opinion. It’s just grass 😂

It's not remotely relevant, they're just trying to get a rise out of you, OP!

Where do you all live (apart from Scotland!)? We’re back into fly rugs as it’s so mild - will be clipping next week though…

does anyone else (horsey people and non horsey people!) feel completely miserable at the fact it’s almost winter?

Nope, I'm DELIGHTED!
The big competitors at the yard go ato warm weather places to continue competing. We have a cozy indoor and a decent lounge, and the competition crowd being away means it'll be nice and quiet. Which suits me as I've bought a just-backed four-year-old and it'll give me some time to work with him between now and the spring!

He does live out, though, and there is mud. Oh, the mud. The yard owners have dragged everything in sight with the tractor and laid down loads of stone dust but it's still up to my ankles already at the front of the paddock.

I am in Scotland too! Ours live out and only come in during the very worst of the winter. Last year was quite mild, though, so they stayed out all year round. I can cope with the rain and wind but it is the short days that get me down. We have mostly Highland ponies and they go a bit feral over the winter!

Slightly off topic, I like the Jumps season, going to smaller courses, wish Towcester was still operating. Great course to see early trials by main yards. It was easy for me to get to.
See if I get a new Midlands favourite.
After the Point to Point season gets going Spring is close. Longer driving though.

Oh I used to love riding in winter-

• ponies in the snow ❤️
• ponies all rugged up and snug in a stable ❤️
• ponies eating a warm bran mash ❤️ (Do people still do this? Feels like something from a million years ago)
• ponies with your gloves stuck on their ears to make them look like a reindeer ❤️

Yup.
Muddy horses
Boggy paddocks
More mucking out
More hay and bedding
Hay prices gone up
Less time to ride due to light
Muddy car

Soon be spring...