With winter knocking at the barn door, we asked seven intrepid horse trail riders how they bundle up to face the cold weather. Scattered across the country, horse trail riders face a wide variety of winter conditions, from moderate weather in central California to the deep freeze in upstate New York. Here, these horse trail riders describe what they wear on the trail and around the barn when winter hits. They also share their favorite winter trail rides, their top keep-warm tips, the cold-beating items on their holiday wish lists, and their post-ride routines.
Bonnie Davis, The Trail Rider's consulting editor, runs Two Horse Enterprises (www.twohorseenterprises.com), an online resource geared to trail riders.
Around her home in central California, she enjoys a moderate winter, with sunny skies most days and temperatures averaging around 50 degrees.
Typical winter conditions: "Lots of wind and rain! Here in wine country, the wind blows across the vineyards in gusts up to 30 or 40 miles per hour. Typically, rain falls in sheets. At night, it's cold, sometimes freezing."
Favorite winter trail ride: "Once winter rains begin to fall, I stay off public trails so my horse's hooves won't 'pot hole' the soil. Instead, I ride in a large roping arena that has a sand base and offers good footing year round. I also ride around the pastures."
Favorite winter wear: "I layer a T-shirt, a plaid flannel shirt (from Sheplers, Wooluck, or Wrangler), and a High Sierra Sport Company vest. If I need to, I'll wear my waterproof, windproof Tri-Mountain jacket over the vest. I love this jacket, because it has lots of pockets. My Double H Packer boots keep my feet warm and dry. I wear leather gloves. If it's raining, I'll wear a Wrangler baseball cap, because cowboy hats tend to blow away. On windy, dry days, I ride without a hat. I like feeling the wind blow in my hair and face. It's cold, my horse feels good, and we're facing the elements."
Top keep-warm tips: "Keep your hands and feet warm, and you'll stay warm all over. When your hands get cold, tuck them into your pockets, or push them up under the saddle pad for a few minutes to let your horse's body heat warm them."
On my holiday wish list: "I can always use more socks - lots of socks."
Post-ride routine: "I make sure my horse is dry and clean, then I put hay in his manger. He's bedded down with lots of shavings, so he can lie down and be warm, dry, and clean. Then I'll sit on a bale of hay, drink a cup of steaming hot coffee, and listen to him chew. I love to hear a horse sigh with contentment. When my horse is happy, I'm happy. Listening to the sounds of the barn is heaven."
Shawn Hamilton
As the owner of Clix Photography (www.clixphotography.com), Shawn Hamilton travels worldwide to cover equestrian events and capture images that appear in top magazines, including The Trail Rider. Home to Hamilton, her husband, four children, and five horses is a farm in Ontario, Canada, where winter comes early and stays late.
Typical winter conditions: "Snow and ice. We tend to get ice first, then loads of snow by February. I try to ride on trails right after it snows to pack down the fresh snowfall. If I miss a storm or two, it just gets too deep."
Favorite winter trail ride: "In the fall, I ride in the Ganaraska Forest, a 13,000-acre forested park with riding trails, a five-minute trailer ride from home. Once winter arrives, I ride around my home in farmers' fields, through apple orchards, and on public rights of way on private land. Two years ago, I took a nasty wipe out on ice, and my face was badly torn on gravel and ice. Now, I stay on snowy trails, if possible."
Favorite winter wear: "I have tall winter-riding boots by Mountain Horse, which I cannot imagine doing without. I also pile on wool socks, a down vest by Outback Trading Company, a neck cover big enough to pull over my face, and, if it's really cold, a down jacket. I also wear corduroy breeches by Equesport and chaps. I tried wearing ski pants, but found them to be too slippery. I always wear a helmet with an ear warmer over it."
Top keep-warm tips: "Take your feet out of the stirrups often to increase circulation. If your hands get cold, put them under your horse's mane. Ride in wooded areas to cut down on wind chill."
On my holiday wish list: "The perfect winter gloves. I haven't been able to find them: If they're warm enough, they're too bulky, and if they aren't bulky, they aren't warm enough. Help!"
Post-ride routine: "If the horses are sweaty, I keep them inside to dry before turning them out, and give them a handful or two of sweet feed. My horses are out all winter, so they grow a thick coat. For me, two things: hot tub and Baileys!"
