Hunting On weekends in Winter/snow

Background:
Ok, it’s 85 degrees in NC right now, but I’m already thinking about next winter… we’re moving to Michigan. Hopefully the DH will get a job after vet school and we’ll finally have a second income by fall so I can join a hunt to go out on the weekends (can’t go weekdays as I work long days)

But in Michigan it Snows! and we’re buying a cute 10 acre place with a barn and trails but no covered arena accessable that I know of. And the DH and I are born and bred Californian our first NC winter seemed harsh last year…

The horse I’d like to keep going over winter is a warmblood who is hard to get back into shape, he’s nothing like my TB… which is why I’d like to keep him going over winter, but I"m worried he won’t stay in shape enough to be able to hunt on the weekends. Also, the TB is 16 w/ arthritis, so he gets the winter off.

Questions:
How much do you ride your horse during the week during hunting season?

How long/ strenuous are hunts in the snow?

Anyone keep their hunt horses at home without winter riding facilities? Any tricks?

What kind of shoes do you use to hunt/ ride in the snow?

In your experience is there more risk of injury hunting in the snow?

Thanks!

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.

Hotspur, Thank you for all the info! Your report was beautiful! I can’t wait for hunt season and for my hubby to get a job and to go riding in snow :slight_smile:

We’re moving to Richland so I think it is near Battle Creek Hunt. I’ve never been a full member of a hunt but have gone out with the Santa Fe hunt and Santa Ynez as a guest of my mom… hoping one day (soon) I’ll get to go for a full season and I think my WB would be great, I’ve never hunted him but he is very level headed with a smooth trot and NEVER kicks. My OTTB on the other hand has great stamina but his trot is extremely jaring after three hours and he doesn’t do well in the colder months now that he’s entering his late teens. I’m hoping we can settle in quick and start getting involved in the eventing/hunting community this year but I’m not sure how busy we’ll be with new jobs in a new area.

You’ve really given me something to look forward to, Thanks!

What part of Michigan are you moving to? I’m in the Michiana area, where spring comes sooner but the lake effect snow’s hip deep! Down here, I rode a bit in the winter with no indoor–up where my parents are in central it just gets too cold in December and January to do much of anything outside! I’ve worked at Mackinac in the early spring and it’s still cold up there in May–you can ride, but it’s not shirtsleeves weather.

I also hunt in a northern state. I have snow pads put on usually by December and I use screw in studs. Snow is not a problem to ride in but ice is a huge hazard. We usually cancel for icy conditions. I can’t imagine not having an indoor because if you work long hours it is pitch dark by 5 PM in the winter, so even if the footing is OK, it is dark by the time you get home from work. If I could ride during the day, I could live without an indoor if I had to…Best of luck to you.

[QUOTE=danceronice;4796578]
What part of Michigan are you moving to? I’m in the Michiana area, where spring comes sooner but the lake effect snow’s hip deep! Down here, I rode a bit in the winter with no indoor–up where my parents are in central it just gets too cold in December and January to do much of anything outside! I’ve worked at Mackinac in the early spring and it’s still cold up there in May–you can ride, but it’s not shirtsleeves weather.[/QUOTE]

moving to Richland

Not in MI, but we also get cold and snow in winter. This past winter was particularly harsh and shut us down for 2+ months, but in just cold weather we are lucky to live in the country with dirt/gravel roads and so we put on lots of warm clothes and safety gear and ride down the road after work. Takes some getting used to, but the horses see better than us in the dark, so it works. We try to ride at least one evening a week and hunt or exercise on the weekends, hopefully you’ve got your horse in good shape earlier in the season and can just maintain Dec - March. We clip and blanket as needed and use borium on our shoes. I also use snow rims on front feet, husband doesn’t. . .