Staying Alive: Riding Through Winter Weather

As any winter-activities (in COLD climates) knows, the trick to staying active in the winter is LAYERS. Good layers. I've been keeping Courage in consistent work with sub-20f temps, and here's how:

Mostly I freeze to death.

HAHA actually it's true.

I also layer up. Here's the key elements of my winter wardrobe:

i want this color

BASE:

A good base is absolutely critical. On top, I really love the Noble Outfitters Hailey Long-Sleeve Crew. It's light weight and perfect for layering. It has long sleeves (YAY LONG ARMED PEOPLE REJOICE) and thumb holes that keep it in place. I'm seeing it listed for $30 online, but I'm pretty sure I paid $20 somewhere. I have two and they're great.

so hideous

On the bottom, I have the Kerrits Geothermal capri. This picture is hideous--I have cute black with a pretty design on it. The cut is kind of awful--The waistband comes up to my ribs and I am long-waisted and long-torsoed. The great thing about these is they don't add bulk under your boots and the elastic under your knee keeps them from sliding up and being useless. WIN.

NEXT:

I guess this is the mid layer? On top, I go with the FITS shirt I got on consignment a few years back for like $15. It's got this hideous grey pattern. I can't find it available now, but it slides right over my silky base layer and adds some warmth without bulk. I like that it's soft and stretch and moves with me. I cannot stand stiff clothes that restrict motion.

she's happy because this vest is awesome

THEN:

Again on top, at this point I go with the Kerrits Cross Diagonal Quilted Vest ($80 new, but I had a gift card!). This is a really great vest--it's cute, it's reasonably flattering, and it has stretchy side panels that let you jam ALL THE LAYERS under it because it expands. The front zips up like a mock scarf, which holds your real scarf in admirably. I definitely do not regret this purchase.

Noted: I frequently stick a light weight tech coat that's stretchy in between my shirts and the vest. I got it free from a friend and it closely resembles the Romfh Princess Jacket, but I have no idea what it really is.

ugly pants

On the bottom, I go with Irideon Wind Pro Fleece Lined breeches. Fun fact: I kind of hate these pants. They're bulky and shapeless and unattractive, but I've had several different brands and they're all kind of the same. Also, shapeless means stuff fits under them easily, so that's a plus. A bigger plus would be pockets, but apparently that's impossible. Just don't hold stuff in the winter, obviously.

I do have over pants that I bust out if I'm doing barn chores, but I LOVE BOARDING and I don't do those right now. It's not the prettiest look ever (and I really, really want winter boots), but it gets the job done for me.

What are some awesome winter riding pieces I should know about? Any suggestions from people in the cold frozen northland?

LOOK I'M RIDING MY HORSE

Photo not current

LOL JK I DON'T DO THAT ANYMORE HAH



Remember when I used to ride my horse?

I sort of do. I remember it being really fun.

that's why you have no friends, records

Anyways. We're sitting at over a week since the record breaking snowfall that shut down all important life activities (riding), and the roads are still dangerously slick.

Why, you might ask?

Well, everyone agrees that after our record breaking snow fall, we also hit record breaking low temps and I suspect, sustained said temps for a record breaking amount of time.

Needless to say, it's been miserable.

NOPE

The 19f this morning felt positively BALMY compared to what we have been dealing with.

Herein lies the problem: because this isn't "supposed" to be a winter state, the county/city have basically just not plowed the roads.

Their rational is that it will melt eventually, I guess. Or maybe that magical snow fairies will clear it for them? Seems about equally likely around here.

 It's cool how no one in the entire city has to go to work or anything til the weather gods see fit to relent.

No wait. I mean IT SUCKS BALLS to drive in rutted ice constantly and rarely get to go over 20 mph.

my world right now

Oh, and that indoor I was talking about? My BO (she's the best) is all set to haul us there, but you know, not til we can reasonably expect to make the trip without dying.

Even if she was willing, I don't want my horse getting in a totally preventable trailering accident because I couldn't handle a few more days of coldness and misery.

smells like nirvana

The weather forecast (more snow, ho boy!) is making me twitchy. If we don't haul out this weekend (predicted high=38f on Saturday only), the whole world is supposed to freeze up again and I don't know when we'll get out.

Soooooo

When I write again, it might be from the comfort of an on-site indoor arena.

Or maybe I'll be bogged down in EVEN MORE snow and freezing rain.

Such choices. Much dilemma. Very shit.

Winter is Coming/Ok FINE it's here and I hate it

cray cray

So yeah. Remember how it was all 70f and sunny and perfect and I was having all the pony adventures? Since like.. ever?

Well that's over with.

Cold front rolled in yesterday. I was at the barn Wednesday morning and it was 19f and windy and horrid and OH MY GOD NO I'M NOT READY FOR THIS.

Courage is, though. I had all his blankets clean, organized, and ready to go. He's rocking his new smartpak deluxe with the neck and has another one in the wings waiting to go on him.

yay water frozen on my coat

I also have winter clothes. I knew I'd have to break them out eventually, but I was thinking we could wait til like Thanksgiving maybe? Something?

In case you were at all unclear on this topic:

I.

Hate.

Winter.

I don't ski. I don't snowshoe. I don't like being cold. I appreciate that my lack of an indoor allows my horse a nice, long winter break and helps his mind and body relax, but if I could figure out a way to be warm year round, I'd do it in a heartbeat.


At least I have this to look back at.

I mean, as long as you completely ignore my position (sorry), Courage looks pretty kick ass. We've been working really har don our lesson homework, and I'm thrilled with how quickly both Courage and I were improving.

Farrier is out next week, so I'll have to decide whether I want to shoe one more round and cross my fingers it's not real winter yet, or just pull them and be done with it.

Part of me really wants to ride. The other part is like 9f isn't riding weather! (That's -22 to you Cannucks.)

So. We'll see how much tougher I get between now and Wednesday. Also how much snow we get.

WHY IS THAT A THING GO AWAY SNOW.

Idaho Winter Explained in Memes

PS Thanks to redheadlins for inspiration

Back to Work!

My arena. At noon. Wish I was kidding.

C-rage has had five weeks off and I am going to kill something if I keep making two board payments without riding.

Vacation is over.

That said, my world is still ice over frozen footing. Despite the fact we're facing some sort of epic drought crisis, the weather refuses to warm up enough to let snow from a month ago just melt. Whiiiiiiiiiine. Sore subject.

So. A friend headed back to school came out on Friday and rode the little dude out in the pasture. He was shockingly good, given that he hasn't done anything since his one ride mid-December and hadn't actually worked since November.

Wild!

He started out a little up. By that, I mean his head and ears were up and he looked around. He didn't put a foot wrong.

I thought the footing was slightly safer in the field than the arena and he marched around like he owned the place.

One of his better moments

He also trotted a little bit, but his shoes got pulled the last time the farrier was out in December. Between being a little bit footsore and having NO FREAKING CLUE what to do with his legs over terrain, it was hilarious to watch.

My friend just floated him the reins and kept him moving and eventually he figured out how to trot instead of tranter and flail. I tried to get video, but somehow managed to only video my feet and the ground. Oops. Probably just as well.

Taken at 1pm on Friday. Not edited. 

Anyways. The horrid inversion+fog finally went away for basically the first time in a month and I decided it was time to get back in the saddle. The footing is crap, the ice isn't leaving any time soon, indoors are not in the picture, but hey. We can walk. I'm putting together a schedule for him that just starts out with 3-4 weeks walking under tack.

I'm hoping that by the, January will be over and the footing will improve and we can put his shoes back on and ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.

So cute with a new friend up

Part of the plan with the 5 week lay off (other than "IT'S FRICKING COLD") was to allow him to lose some of that racing muscle and let us start all over. I hope it's working--he was an absolute star for his ride yesterday. Instead of giraffing around the field, he carried his neck level and his throatlatch open and just walked like a normal horse. It was fun and relaxing for both of us.

No pictures of me up--my winter breeches have no pockets and our usual photographer has escaped to warmer climates. Oh well.

It's my first time giving a horse a structured winter break. I'm curious to see how he comes back in to work and how long my motivation holds in this weather. It is nasty.

WE RIDE!! (and it is so bloody cold)

ALL THE ENERGY!!!

I know at the beginning of the week, I said I'd only go to the lesson if I got to ride Monday and Tuesday, since C-rage has done nothing for three weeks. Instead of clearing up, the fog got thicker and the ice got slicker and Courage did nothing. And then Wednesday morning came and Redheadlins and I were like "screw it, we're going" and we stuffed the ponies in the trailer and headed off to the trainer's barn.

I did warn the trainer that it was most likely going to be terrible and that Courage was just coming to get out of the ice, so we weren't doing the lesson, just lunging in the arena.

"Please don't embarrass me"

We had to go to an arena Courage had never seen before, complete with tiptoeing across packed snow and ice to get there. He had an epic spook at "something" while we tried to chill out along the rail.

He was sort of keeping it together, so I threw on his bridle and clipped the lunge line on.

Looking so calm

It was foggy and about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Courage hasn't been able to trot around his field in three weeks.

He's had crazy eyes for the past week and a half.

Oh, and the arena was full of other greenies coming from similar work schedules.

Showing off for the only non-greenie in the arena

It was really more like flying a kite.

I was actually impressed--we had a couple of leaping/WHERE R MI LEGZ moments, but mostly he stuck his head straight up in the air and trotted. And trotted. And then trotted some more. I got him to canter a little bit, but he wasn't losing his mind trotting and I knew he needed to blow off steam.

As long as he wasn't going to be crazy, I wasn't going to push him. Trotting is great.

So fancy

Frankly, he was putting on the best kind of show. I had warned everyone in the lesson that he was going to be horrible and a nut and all manner of bad things. I even told my co-workers that I was going to get bucked off.

And this is what he gave me. Gorgeous, animated, suspension. He whinnied a couple of times, but since his supermodel girlfriend was along, he was actually pretty settled.

Looking pretty relaxed

I hand walked him around the arena once and he was really good. He was a little damp from all the trotting, so I knew I either had to throw his cooler on and call it a day or get on and keep him going.

So I got on.

Little man was foot perfect.

We walked around and stayed out of the way of the people jumping. He didn't flinch. I was having some serious "oh THIS is why I love this horse" moments, not gonna lie.

Extra careful

We picked up the trot. Instead of sticking his ears up my nostrils and flailing his legs around, Courage reached his neck forward and down and stepped out. BAM! I was beyond impressed.

We even sort of joined in on the exercise. We started out trotting some poles. He canter/leaped them the first time, but then trotted through like a champ. I couldn't believe how calm and collected he was.

Why is the crazy lady wearing my clothes?

Then the instructor directed us to trot the poles, go around the corner, and jump a little box in the snow. Courage trotted in, then halted politely in front of it.

Wasn't his fault I asked him to cross the great wall of China, haha.

We did a little circle, then he let the instructor lead him over the tiny box. A light bulb flashed on. Not the great wall! A jump!

He's got this

And guess who is the best at jumps?

Courage.

He didn't even hesitate after that. Once he understood the question, he trotted right in, snapped his knees up over it, and landed cantering.

The last time through our instructor played "Eye of the Tiger" for him and he shook his head when he landed. Little dude was so proud of himself.

We even got invited back to ride as long as the arena is good. I am so.excited. It was beyond awesome to be back in the tack. This little horse is going to be so awesome.

Ponies in Snow

On my way to work

It's decision time. Courage and I got invited to go play in a lesson on Wednesday, but the little man hasn't been ridden since Thanksgiving weekend due to ice and snow. We don't have an indoor and he's wearing shoes, so snow is a no-go for us.

I wasn't out this weekend, but my BO is optimistic about the arena. If I can ride him today and tomorrow, we will do the lesson. If not, I just don't think it's fair to him to try and accomplish anything.

He wants to do something

The high for the week is supposed to be 35f and it's cold and foggy now. I'm crossing my fingers.

I've been working a ton, which is great from a money perspective.

It also means that I've been spending way too much time shopping for bridles for the little guy. I can't believe I've had him almost five months and he only has one bridle.

We can't all be this fabulous

This handsome man is retired and still has three of his own, one of which he hasn't even been ridden in since I bought it post-incident (but pre-Courage) this summer.

He actually had six bridles before I started thinning the collection when he retired. Since he was only active with me for about a year, that's one bridle every two months.



I know. I have a problem.

It's a problem that would be fixed by getting some actual saddle some. Wish me sun!!

Equestrian Christmas List

It's that time of year--I get absolutely flooded with emails and catalogs from equine companies wanting me to purchase more horse stuff. Unfortunately, my family does not believe in buying horsey anything for me and I'm spending my money getting gifts for other people (and buying feed. Next time, I'll get native ponies. TBs eat so much!)

If I was going Christmas shopping for myself with an unlimited budget (hey, that whole sentence is unrealistic), here's what I'd be getting:

IT'S SO SHINY I COULD DIE!!!!

One K Helmet Defender with Bling - list price $399.00
Ok, I haven't actually tried these on yet. That said, my local tack store does carry them and the cheaper models are worth looking in to. They're a new look with all the same high tech goodies and I just want to try them. As long as it's a hypothetical Christmas list, I want the sparkles. ALL THE SPARKLES.

I'd be the coolest at everything

Dublin Pinnacle Boots - list price $199.00
I have loved these boots for like two years. I really, really want them and would wear them all the time. That said, there isn't a parallel universe in which I can see myself paying $200 for muck boots. Not even really cute muck boots that I could wear around town or ride in. Still. A girl can dream.

So classy

Kerrit's Coach's Coat - list price $199.00
I love coats. Not only would any color of this coat look awesome with my above helmet and boots, but all I'd be so warm and dry and chic and layered. I've never owned a long coat like this, but I'm sure it would make me look all svelte and model-y.

Because I love leather

Higher Standards Leather care - list price ~$15-20
I have wanted this stuff since I first heard about it. I've entered two different contests to win it, but no luck. My money has gone other places the past couple months, but maybe I'll be able to snag some early next year. Regardless, it sounds glorious and I want it all.

To fit a tiny Courage face

Ovation Fancy Stitched Wide Noseband Bridle - list price $164.95
I'm still flirting with my hunter dreams for Courage. This would get us going on the local circuit. If we wanted to go to A shows, I'm pretty sure I'd need an Arc De Triumph, but until then the Ovation would do nicely. I'd probably want a matching standing martingale, too.

Might help if I looked like her

Under Armor base layer top and bottom - list price $49.99 a piece
I hate being cold and something like this would be amazing for the cold winter months. I could use it for running and riding and be slightly less cold than I am usually.









Ogilvy Equestrian half pad - list price $239.00
I just want one.

Who wouldn't?








All the pretty things. I know I have lots to be thankful for and my life is plenty full without all the coolest and nicest things, but it's fun to look. What's on your dream wishlist this Christmas?

Living Through a Cold Snap - Tack Whore Edition

Yesterday was my day off from the barn. Usually I just go out and ride anyways, but given that the high was like 19f and I've been putting off housework for... well, does anyone not put off housework? I think that's par for being alive.

I decided to oblige my husband and sort through the mountain of horse stuff in the garage. It's much more structured and reduced, with a mighty heap going off for consignment today. Hubs probably doesn't need to know that I brought ALL the horse stuff in the house because the garage was cold, but we'll survive. ;)

The good news is that I started playing with a bridle I sort of forgot about. I mean, I knew I had it, but I didn't like it as much as Cuna's other two bridles, so I put it away and told myself it was crap. When I pulled it out yesterday, I realized that it really isn't crap. I spent some time cleaning and conditioning it again, then played with bits.

Rocking the d ring

Here's a picture of it the first day Cuna wore it (at our old barn). It's an Ovation with a padded monocrown, crank cavesson, and completely removable flash. It's horse size, but the reins are a little short and flash is a little long.

In fairness to the Ovation folks, Cuna has a teeny muzzle and super long neck, so his proportions probably aren't what they were planning for.

Whyyyy must pelham connectors be a wretched color?

When I was playing with it last time around, I was planning to use it with my fancy new bit, the happy mouth mullen pelham.

Conventional wisdom is that using a curb chain with a flash or figure 8 is unadvisable because you have two straps trying to go in the same small area of real estate under the horse's chin.

That, coupled with the fact that Cuna really doesn't need a flash, convinced me to pull it off and go with this setup.

Show jumping clean

We competed in it last year, but once I got my beloved fancy stitched hunter bridle for a song, this one retired to my garage.

Until yesterday.

I am compiling a hearty bit collection, and I had a couple I wanted to play with*. Plus a super secret new toy came in the mail that needs its' own photoshoot.

Plus our focus on the jumpers means that I want to mix things up and look like total b@d@sses.

The high today is 21f (miserable), but I am super psyched for barn time. I know I'm totally tack motivated, but there are other things. What guys you excited to go to the barn when it's too cold to be alive?

*As an O'Connor conventionalist, Steph thinks this habit of mine is incredibly annoying. Like... why play with new bits when what you have is working perfectly? My answer: OMG BITS!!! TOYS!!!! PIKTUREZZZZ!!!!!

PS Thanks to all the contest entrants!! I will be updating soon.