Frozen toes and fingers

[Faye]

Recently located to PNW, and boy it is cold! (California transplant here!) I’ve got the top and breeches figured out. Base layer, merino wool and a light zip up keeps me cozy, Kerrits thermal tights are god sent ! What bothers me the most are my completely frozen feet and my fingers (right pinky in particular!!)

I tried wool socks, didn’t work. Those chemical toe warmer did not work at all, maybe because my boots are tight and they need oxygen to work. I am hoping i don’t need to buy another winter boots. Any suggestions? We don’t have an enclosed indoor, it has wide windows, so it can get cold, when it’s in the 20s/30s.

[RedHorses]

Wool socks are half the equation, the boots being most of the other half. I also put heat reflective insoles in my winter boots as I notice the cold first on the soles of my feet. I have had the best results with Icebreaker wool socks.

I wear actual winter boots until I’m ready to ride the first horse. I have rice filled cotton socks that I heat up in the microwave and drop into the feet of my winter riding boots before heading out to the barn. This way I’m not putting cold boots on.

I am thinking about putting heat reflective insoles in my riding boots, and also considering USB charged heated insoles for when it gets really cold (-20 Celcius).

As far as gloves go I have a number of different pairs for different tasks at different temperatures. At 20F/not quite -7C I’m typically using my Thinsulite lined pigskin or fleece lined deerskin gloves. Here’s the thing, both these gloves need to be broken in so they’re not tight when my fingers curl. Tight gloves restrict circulation and make hands colder (that goes for tight footwear too). Breaking in is done in somewhat warmer weather (0 to 15 C).

No matter what I’m wearing when it’s cold I am pulling my fingers out of the glove fingers to make a fist inside the glove and warm my hand up. I alternate hands and try to start before my hands are blocks of ice. Generally once I’m trotting I’m generating enough heat that I’m okay.

This reminds me that I take my feet out of the stirrups and wiggle toes, do ankle circles and similar to get them warmer.

[pony_baloney]

I have neoprene toe warmers that slip on like a half sock. They will probably make your boots a bit snug though. I wore them yesterday in my Noble Outfitters rubber boots before and after riding. My toes did get cold during my ride in my regular boots, but got warmed up when I put them on again afterwards. They’re called Hot Sockee

Amazon.com: Hot Sockee - Neoprene Toe Warmers - Worn Inside Shoes or Boots - 3...

[NaturallyHappy]

These are genius. I use surgical gloves under regular cotton gloves; my late DVM husband taught me that trick. It works like a charm to keep hands warm.

[FjordBCRF]

For Christmas this year I received both socks and gloves from this company. SO worth it. The gloves are the twin peaks model and have a removable heated liner that isn’t too bulky.

ORORO® Heated Apparel | Heated Jacket, Vest, Gloves for Everyday

[saddleup]

Riding mittens are great. Several retailers carry them. Just the fleece ones keep my hands warm and I live in cold country. In the teens this time of year. I have several pairs and rotate the them.

[Renn_aissance]

Shearling insoles in your boots. I got Ugg. I use insulated hiking boots as my winter barn boots and they bring me joy. (So does putting my paddock boots by the tack room heater while I’m grooming so they’re warm when I am ready to put on clothes.)

[Faye]

i saw these on amazon and wondered how they work!

[mommy_peanut]

@FjordBCRF

For Christmas this year I received both socks and gloves from this company. SO worth it. The gloves are the twin peaks model and have a removable heated liner that isn’t too bulky.

https://www.ororowear.com/

I love this company‘s products.
We spend tons of time doing outside activities; snowshoeing, skiing, playing hockey, etc.
My daughter and I have the heated vests & hubby has their heated mittens.
Hubby & I also have gloves from another company.

[PNWSunnyDay]

I live in the PNW as well and also have reynauds syndrome. The small blood vessels in my fingers and toes often contract in temps lower than 50 so I know a lot about freezing extremities!

I bought battery powered, heated gloves for off-horse work around the farm or getting ready to ride. They were about $170 and I use those for very cold temps or bad reynauds flare-ups when my body cannot regulate circulation.

On a regular basis I layer thin nitrile-dipped garden/work gloves with disposable nitrile gloves over top. It helps keep my skin from making contact with any moisture. I prefer the orange textured nitrile gloves from Gloveworks. They are marketed towards mechanics and are thicker and have great grip.

I have MANY pairs of neoprene-palm garden gloves that I switch out as soon as they get damp. I ride in the gardening/work gloves in winter more than real riding gloves. You can get thin or fleece lined. The nitrile palms still allow me to have good feel of the horse’s mouth while offering some protection against moisture. The key is to keep them dry and switch them out as soon as they are a teeny bit damp from sweat or environmental moisture. The key here in PNW is not just warmth but giving yourself a barrier from the ever-present winter wet.

Unfortunately, you probably need bigger boots for winter. Both pairs of my winter boots are a size larger than my 3 season boots. Some of the extra room is for thicker socks, but mainly the extra room is to prevent constriction. My barn work winter boots are the thicker neoprene insulated Bogs (I don’t remember the style name because they’ve changed but I think they are rated for -40 degrees) and my winter riding boots are Ariat Conistan Pro Vortex boot. Keep extra socks handy and switch them out at the first feeling of cold, wet toes.

About the foot heat packs- open them and set them out for 10 minutes before putting them in the boot. They won’t activate well straight from the package and into the shoe.

[Scribbler]

Also in PNW. The wet cold is very penetrating.

I have two pairs of paddock boots. Airiat barnyard jods. Waterproof. With wool socks they are good down to zero. Then Ariat insulated laceup. They are roomier in the toe and there is toe box wiggle room with heavy wool socks. The air gap makes them much warmer, they are fine down to riding at minus 8 Celsius.

You can’t function in snow or below freezing with normal field boots or tight boots.

For riding gloves I am currently wearing back on track glove liners under “ski liner” gloves that are fleece inside with silicone palm grips. Thermal nitrile are also good work gloves.

I also used a microfiber balaclava under my helmet in the recent cold snap with my parka hood over my helmet.

[lenapesadie]

@PNWSunnyDay

Keep extra socks handy and switch them out at the first feeling of cold, wet toes

Critical! I notice the cold before the wet and change socks then! It makes a big difference!

[glitterless]

Definitely mitts if you can ride in them with gloves underneath. For boots, I always wear a proper winter boot - not a winter riding boot - that is rated for really cold temps and not too snug. You may need to use wider stirrup irons for your winter boots, but it’s worth the hassle to stay warm.

Also, I try to do any barn chores first so that I’m nice and toasty warm before riding.

[Scribbler]

A bit of barn work first but if you work up too much sweat you will get chilled faster riding.

[Tarlo_Farm]

Michigan here, and while at my age I don’t ride below 30 degrees anymore, I can tell you you’ll just have to experiment with some of the great suggestions you’ve gotten regarding keeping your hands warm. However, you MUST get bigger boots. Period.

Remember: Start warm, stay warm. And don’t get wet.

[ChocoMare]

Former NY’er here: Along with the above, spray your feet with Arrid XX anti-perspirant. Then a cornstarch-based powder. If your feet don’t sweat, they don’t get as cold.

I then use Smart Wool Socks inside boots that are a 1/2 size larger than normal and wide width. Never cram your feet in.

[FjordBCRF]

I have been super happy with the socks! They are absolutely wonderful and feel really warm at the highest setting.

I did get one of the much hand warmers and am in the process of returning it. All of the gloves seemed really bulky and I don’t like working/riding in that type due to the lack of dexterity. I was hoping this would be good to keep on me while at the barn/riding and I could stick my hands in with thinner gloves on to warm up, but it really didn’t get very warm and on a couple very cold days just didn’t cut it.

I ordered the Twin Peaks gloves after that. One of my friends at the barn had a different, bulky pair and was getting on with them well enough. The Twin Peaks has the liner that is where the heating elements are and you can remove that from the bulky shell. I tried them out last night and it was much better than the hand warmer, and not too bulky. Could easily groom, tack, and ride in them. They are warmer with the shell on, but still do a decent job without. The feels like temps were in the teens last night and while they didn’t feel as warm as my socks, my hands never got cold!

I also keep several pairs of gloves handy in case I need a fresh dry pair. Sometimes my hands would get a little sweaty or they would get wet. Or slobbered/wet from giving treats in them after a pony just had a swig of water!

[amymoyer1]

Another rider with Raynaud’s syndrome here. Wool socks never worked for me because of the bulk, as you mentioned. There are silk socks and glove liners that add warmth without bulk. I love them. They’re probably grouped with skiing clothes. Also, I have Heritage winter gloves. They have a pocket for a warmer, but I never use it because they’re so warm that my hands sweat just wearing them! I put the gloves on in my car before my hands get cold from the air.

[Faye]

May i ask, with the socks, wouldn’t the battery not fit inside the boots?

[FjordBCRF]

I wear these with the shorter winter Ariat Terrains and Mountain Horse winter breeches (like heavy snow pants) over fleece breeches. I have a pair of taller winter boots but I’ve not tried them with those, I tend to wear those when it’s warm enough out I wouldn’t need the socks. If tall boots aren’t super tight they may work but they do stick out a bit.