Winter tips

TheB

Don't know about where everyone else is but in Laois winter has arrived with a vengence!

Since this rain arrived the temp has dropped and you not only need a canoe but more layers than the Michelin Man.. ... horrible..

Is always handy to hear other peoples tips for surviving the winter for either human or horse use - some of them are great and can be stolen for own use :cool: I'll go first..

Since TheG hasn't been clipped yet as he hasn't been worked properly due to injuries etc for about 5 weeks (thats all hopefully all to change at the weekend *fingerscrossed* when he'll start work again..) so I've had it easy with rugs etc so far.. but my favourite winter tip concerns them!

Although he wears a HW with a neck that is perfectly waterproof when it's really wet (like atm !) I put a summer turn out rug (basically a no-fill rug just a waterproof "anorak" with a cotton lining - no neck) over his NZ to prevent it getting sodden - it only takes a couple of hours for the LW t/o to dry where as it can take ages for a really wet HW to dry properly.. Hey presto - no more heavy stinky rugs hanging about drying! Also no more putting damp rugs on in the morning! And a toasty warm & dry horse..

Am also a fan of Marigolds under yard gloves to keep cold/wet out!

Anyone else for survival tips ?

TheBx

fits

Wear gloves

I never use HW rugs... (as I've never owned a horse that needed one)
I've one MW rug which I used to supplement with a fleece underneath when cold. And she wore that all the time (I dont change rugs when they come in, this breathable stuff is great).

This year ponio is overweight and out of work and she's pretty hardy anyway, so no rugs at all, but I'm keeping an eye on her skin as she's prone to rain scald.

Oh Lidl occasionally do waterproof (obviously) snow boots that are fleece lined and look like muckers. They're nice and warm.

togster

For hunters with mud rash. Use some parafin oil to remove scabs and water-proof the area.

togster

We are clipping at the mo here. I would say it saves money and time if your horses are spotless before you clip. You will save money and time in the long run. We wash the night before and brush 2-3 times before clipping and brush with a fine combe prior to clipping.

TheB

togster wrote: »

For hunters with mud rash. Use some parafin oil to remove scabs and water-proof the area.

Never used Parafin oil.. used Pig Oil..Parafin oil must make skin lovely and soft and easily healed tho' .. G gets shocking mud fever if I;m not careful (wussy TB with white legs :rolleyes: )- must bear this in mind.. cheers!

fits wrote: »

Wear gloves

although you'd surprised how many people don't.. how do they manage that ??

fits wrote: »

I never use HW rugs... (as I've never owned a horse that needed one)

You lucky thing!! I wish.. HW with neck already - when clipped he gets a full neck fleece under that plus another one if really cold!! Otherwise he stands about shivering and yelling to come in!!

Ther breathable rugs are great - I would leave it on 24/7 but I like tucking him up in his 'jamas ..

Bx

TheB

TheB wrote: »

although you'd surprised how many people don't.. how do they manage that ??

I never really used gloves when riding out, only in competition or hunting.

Never saw the need!

TheB

Deleted User wrote: »

I never really used gloves when riding out, only in competition or hunting.

Never saw the need!

Brave !! My hands would drop off in the cold!! I hate cold hands!! Don't always wear gloves just to school/ride in the summer but in the winter - I have "yard" gloves - big snuggly warm things and "riding" gloves .. thin neoprene or leather ones ones.. can't survive without!

togster

Deleted User wrote: »

I never really used gloves when riding out, only in competition or hunting.

Never saw the need!

+1 i find them restrictive

fits

Theres no way I'd ride in winter without gloves, I wouldnt even be able to hold the reins. I even have difficulty typing here in my office with the cold.

otwb

Use gloves ALL THE TIME - get yourself a nice old fashioned leather pair and you will never look back - especially useful for killing horseflies in the summer:D

For the mud rash its hibiscrub all the way. Lather up, ease off any loose scabs and it will kill off all those nasty bugs that are causing the oozing (if its gone that far). Use at first sign of the small lumps.

TheB

otwb wrote: »

For the mud rash its hibiscrub all the way. Lather up, ease off any loose scabs and it will kill off all those nasty bugs that are causing the oozing (if its gone that far). Use at first sign of the small lumps.

Hibiscrub is the only way!! At the first sign of rain I have the Hibiscrb and the sudocreme at the ready!

Siogfinsceal

hibisrub is great for mud rash followed by a coat of aloe vera babyoil which softens the stuff and it brushes out.
I dont wear gloves which is mad as I am always freezing I must move my fingers a lot on the reins!
Toggi socks - expensive but worth every penny
Penneys fleece socks for wearing over socks and inside wellies
Polar fleece neck buffs are great better than scarves around the horses
Togster is correct always wash horses before clipping its madness not too. Dettol added to shampoo gets all the crap out of their coat and leaves it spotless. Methylated spirits added to a final rinse helps coats dry quickly
Meths is great for cooling clipper blades too

skink

i see everyone here is talking about remedies for mud rash, i found a powder called keratex, looks like baby powder, but is excellent at preventing mud rash, my horse was apprently really prone to it, so i went researching and found this stuff, and he has not gotten it all, and he was out 24/7 up until the week before christmas! I know horseware used to stock, but the shop has gone to ****e in newbridge, and berneys will order it in! and olympic saddlery in galway stock it!

also i find an MW rug, the best option for permanently out horses, but you need an extra fleece rug for when it is really cold!