Anyone else taking the winter off?

[Heinz_57]

Not completely off, but definitely backed way off these last few weeks. Mostly due to life getting in the way, but also a little bit because I can only be so motivated when it’s cold and I’m tired.

Last year my pony turned into a dragon and I was forced to give him several months off. Even leading him to turnout wasn’t for the faint of heart - it was like flying an angry kite. Trying to do groundwork was a joke, lunging was pointless. I’m not dumb enough to try throwing a leg over that.

This winter he has matured and is taking things in stride. He’s alert, but he keeps his brains in his head even when he has a valid excuse not to. He has some weakness issues that are better maintained if I can keep him fit, so I’m going to keep on with the light work load as much as I can.

[Libby2563]

Except for very young horses, I prefer to give some weeks off here and there as needed rather than all winter as some formulaic thing. I ride because I enjoy it, and IMO winter is a great time to be productive and advance certain things (like flying changes) without show-related pressure. I do stop doing trot sets and other conditioning rides (other than trail riding for fun as footing permits), back my eventer down from 6 rides a week to 4-5, and back the fence height down for a few months to save wear and tear. I also count on missing a week or two here and there due to weather since I don’t have an indoor. December often has pretty good riding weather here though. It’s usually not until Feb-Mar that it sucks, and by then I want to be gearing up for spring shows anyway. I’d rather have a lighter schedule in July when the ground is hard and it’s disgustingly humid even if you ride at 6 am.

[Feathered_Feet]

I’ll echo a lot of what others have said, in that the short answer is “sorta.”

We show pretty hard (FEI level dressage) during the show season (May-Oct here, Nov if you qualify for and go to Finals). This year I gave my mare a few weeks off after Regionals. Then put her back to work maybe a little lighter (4-5 rides a week versus 6), working more on basics (i.e., more connection and strengthening movements, not “show” movements).

In January I plan to pick back up working on “show” movements she is currently developing (I2 zig zag, one tempis) with the hopes that they’ll be more reliable by spring, but still only “schooling” 3 or maybe 4 days a week (with one additional day hacking - weather permitting - and/or cavaletti work). In March we’ll start schooling the actual elements of the tests we want to do. Once the weather is more reliable we’ll go back to an outdoor conditioning day, so back up to 6 days of riding.

So a bit of a lighter schedule, but there is a lot of progress to be made without the pressures of an upcoming show. Winter really is the perfect time to introduce and work on things like changes since they can sometimes have a temporary regression that will make showing at the same time a nightmare. So lots of good work to be done in winter, provided the footing is safe. I also have a limit though - as long as the horse has gotten out that day, if it’s really cold, I don’t ride. I’m just not that fanatical about it anymore

[TheJenners]

Almost nine inches in November alone (our annual is 16-25 inches) and already at 1.5 inches for December, nearly one of those inches in the last 24 hours and more coming with a wind event this evening. Sigh. I have standing water EVERYWHERE. I was out of town this week and lady doing my evening feeding messaged me because she thought a spigot had to be on somewhere and couldn’t find it. Thank god for all weather footing in the sacrifice areas.

Needless to say, my hope of riding this weekend has been DROWNED.

[Pennywell_Bay]

Just adding to mine- what little motivation I have when it’s dark and dreary, wet and cold- a friend and I text each other “did your ride” “are you riding” (and usually some self deprivation on how we suck ) and it it kind of motivating (even the sucking part). Life is easier with friends who share the struggle.

It is also motivating to hear “screw it- it’s cold” and settle in with wine.

[mscapen]

I own a husky: Mme Mare ( 2001 model) is miserable through summer and if any heat in the fall. First snow fall: this happened last week. She stops and smells the air ( partially blind) bends down and eats some snow. She is happy to work 4 to 5 times a week, she has never been so sound and is lovely. Give a -20 C and she walks into the indoor with a smile on her face. Therefore, I do pull my old bones out of the the warmth of the house and travel the 20 mins to the farm and ride as much as the winter schedule ( with a lot of lessons) will let me. As also I expect I will not put her through that many summers .

[candyappy]

I have for many years now. Just too cold and slippery footing and I absolutely hate riding all bundled up.

I think it is good for the horse and rider both to take a break now and again.