10 tips to get you going this winter

By Harriet Linton

Seasonal guides

10 December 2009 16:47

Winter’s here, and it’s tempting to dive under the duvet and hibernate till spring! Our top 10 tips are guaranteed to put the sparkle back into your winter riding, so if you are lacking in inspiration, read on – we’ll get you motivated.

1. Wrap up and ride out

You already know we love hacking, but winter hacks are some of the best of the year. You can’t beat riding out first thing on a cold, crisp winter morning, as the sun burns off the early mist. It might rain for the rest of the day, but for a couple of hours you’re out with your greatest friend, enjoying the best of the day. In the clear winter light you can see for miles, and the bird calls seem to travel forever in the still air. With everyone else hiding under the covers, you’ve got the countryside to yourself, so enjoy a really good gallop – or just relax your reins and take in your surroundings.

2. Plotting to trounce the competition

If your competition wings were clipped by all the cancelled events of 2007, or you just had a stinker of a season, now’s the time to practise. Put a schooling plan in place.Whatever you want to do with your horse, he needs to be obedient, balanced and forward going. Focus on good transitions, getting your horse straight but supple, and off the leg. It might be dull, but when you’re heading the scoreboard next summer, it’ll seem like time well spent!

3. Ride out with the pack

With the first frosts comes the chance to get out and about with your local draghunts. There’s no bigger adrenalin rush than draghunting – there are packs throughout the UK and they host a variety of days, from flat-out runs to no-jumping days, and even hacks out with hounds. If you don’t keep your horse at a busy yard, going out with hounds is a great way to make friends and introduce your horse to a new discipline in the company of experienced riders.

4. Watch polo – on snow

Your Christmas list isn’t complete without a request for Santa to whisk you off to St Moritz in Switzerland, to watch the amazing spectacle of Cartier Polo on Snow. From January 28-31 2010, the top polo riders in the world converge on the glamorous Swiss resort to show off their moves on the snow-covered surface of the frozen lake, 1,800 metres above sea level. Now try claiming it’s too cold to ride! For more info go to www.polostmoritz.com/en, email info@polostmoritz.com or call 0041 81839 9292.

5. Hitting the sales

Remember to put some Christmas money aside for the sales. Be ready to queue for tackshop sales, but if that’s not your scene, there are great online sales, too. Bag a bargain just by booting up the laptop, snug in your pyjamas with a glass of mulled wine – how civilised is that? Robinsons (www.robinsons-uk.com) and Derby House (www.derbyhouse.co.uk) have plenty of special offers in their winter sales, while Equestrian Clearance (www.equestrianclearance.com) offers extra discounts after Christmas.

6. Remember to look after the rider!

We all tend to our horse’s every whim, from his love of mango-flavoured treats to his need for hand-gathered herbs from a certain slope of the Andes. But remember to take care of yourself! You’re no good to your horse if you’re run-down, dead tired or just plain ill. Here’s a handy winter health checklist:

● Prevention’s better than cure for coughs, colds and the dreaded ’flu. Remember to eat plenty of fruit and veg, get lots of sleep, take vitamins if you want and steer clear of anyone with the lurgy!

● Herbal remedies can help you through the winter. Herbs like ginseng and echinacea can help support your immune system. Also, drink plenty of water.

● Aromatherapy oils are a great quick pick-me-up. A few useful oils include ginger, lemon, rosemary, bergamot and nutmeg. See which ones suit you best.

● Take care of your outside – chapped and cracked skin is painful and prone to infection, so invest in a good moisturiser. The Your Horse team are rarely seen without a pocket-sized pot of Vaseline – it’s cheap and great for keeping those chapped lips at bay.

7. Get organised and save time

In winter, life revolves around just one thing – time, or the lack of it. Instead of struggling on your own, organise a rota of stable chores on the yard. Some of you can help each other out in the evening and others first thing in the morning – this lets you all get the odd lie-in or early night, which will keep your energy levels and morale up.

8. Get good winter gear

You want to make the most of your precious time with your horse, so look for timeand labour-saving gadgets and special winter gear.

● A small but powerful torch that you can wear on your head will help you find your horse, feed buckets, dropped car keys, etc – and leave your hands free.

● Look for frost-resistant Tub Trug buckets and add colour-coordinated covers.

● Handwarmers are cheap and great if you’re out doing chores or teaching.

● Invest in a pair of warm, waterproof gloves that you can ride in as well as use for yard work.

● Keep your feet warm. Look for a pair of really good quality knee-length socks – look out too for thermal insoles you can pop into your boots.

9. Go celeb spotting

Pack your thermos, grab a friend and head off to a big competition venue – you’ll stand a good chance of seeing a few really big-name riders up close. In winter, professional riders often take their up-and-coming horses out to eventer trials. They’ll also take their top horses out to dressage and show jumping events. This keeps the horses ticking over while building fitness for the four-star events, and highlights areas that need some fine-tuning – and gives you the chance to see them at work.

10. Raise a glass – or mug – to your friends!

It’s the end of another horse-filled year, so why not celebrate over a glass of something fizzy (or freshly brewed?) Whether you had a clear round at Burghley, managed a Prelim without getting lost halfway up the centre line, or simply enjoyed a year’s hacking with your horse, it’s time to celebrate a job well done. Life with horses is a rollercoaster and very once in a while we all need a friend to lean on, so get everyone on the yard together and raise a glass to each other.