The Great White North
Hi Granada, and welcome to the Great White North. I am a member with the Metamora Hunt in southeast Michigan. Our hunt season starts in mid August and runs through the winter, weather permitting. Cold temps are not usually a reason to cancel a meet, it’s all about footing.
How much work to give a horse during the hunt season depends on a few things, like: How often is he hunting, how long or strenuous have his hunts been lately, and his fitness. I try to keep my guy (a big QH) in steady light work during the season with short hacks 2-4 time a week, plus his hunting.
How long and strenuous are our hunts in snowy conditions? In good footing, on a good day, they can ask a lot from a horse. But that’s not our normal. By mid winter the conditions have cut down the number of hunts available and everyone’s horse is not as fit as we might like, so our Masters and Staff keep that in mind. It’s the responsibility of each Hunt Member to keep safe and sane out there. If a horse tires, the rider usually goes in early. This is quite common.
What to do to keep your horse fit and sane during the Michigan winters if you do not have an indoor? There is usually reasonable footing and weather in southern MI for winter trail rides. Our Hunt roads hounds all winter long, especially if we cannot hunt. Using the roads, when they are not icy, for excercise hacks is a good resource as well. My wife and I are usually able to contact barn owners that do have an indoor to set up regular visits to work our horses mid winter. It all takes a little effort and some good clothing (gore tex, Under Armour, and wool will be your new favorite words) but you can keep yourself and your horse active all winter long.
What do we do for shoes, pads, and studs? I recommend all! My guy is in the pop type pads front and rear from November-March. The pop pads are very dependable. I also have our Farrier permanetly install 4 small pin type studs on all 4 shoes starting in November. This keeps my horse safe when he’s working, and around the barn when he is moved from paddock to stall each day.
Is it unusually risky to hunt over snow cover? Snow is not too frightening. Ice is a different matter. A reasonable cover of snow over ground that does not have icy spots underneath can affort very good footing. If there is ice underneath the white stuff, we do not hunt. Hunting in “good” snow is a special treat. If you like, please read my hunt report from this December: http://www.chronofhorse.com/article_landing/hunt%20reports
So, we hope to see you out with Metamora this next season! Please PM me if you like.