Embracing Winter Horsemanship: Quality Time Trumps Quantity

As the days get shorter and the air turns chilly, it's that time of year when our horsemanship routine gets a winter makeover. Let's be honest, who really wants to brave the cold for hours of training or riding? Not only is it hard on us, but riding your horse in frigid temps is not good for his body either. So here's a secret you should know: it's okay to chill out during the winter with your horse.

Quality Time Matters

Horses are pretty simple. They don't keep track of how long you ride or how many training sessions you've clocked. What they truly cherish are meaningful moments with you. Truly Harmonized Horsemanship is all about taking your and your horse’s needs into consideration. In winter, you don't have to stress about rigorous training sessions. As long as your horse’s needs are met (more on that in the next section), all your horse needs from you is quality time and mental/emotional enrichment.

Winter is a great time to focus on bringing more mindfulness and presence into your daily interactions with your horse. How often do you find yourself totally lost in thought, or worrying about something that happened weeks ago? The constant internal chatter takes us away from the moment we are in. And remember, your horse lives in the present. So unplug and ground yourself in the moment. You can practice some simple breathing exercises or dive into a meditation practice regardless of weather, footing, or lighting.

Meeting Your Horse's Needs

Winter brings colder weather and shorter days. Anyone who has a horse knows that meeting their needs in the colder months seems like a daunting task. Ensure your horse has access to free-choice forage, room to move and a heated water source. If your horse has a hard time keeping weight on, you may need to supplement with a blanket to ensure they aren’t cold and using vital calories to keep themselves warm.

Horses need to move! Let them go to turnout with their friends and frolic in the snow. On days where the footing is not safe for turnout, make sure you take them out on a walk or turn them out in an indoor arena (if you have one.) If your horse lives outside 24/7, place their food in different areas around the pasture so they have to roam to find it!

Ideas for All-Weather Activities

Quality time comes in various flavors. When riding is on a winter break, you've got plenty of options. Here are some ideas:

1. Grooming Sessions: Pamper your horse with some quality grooming. It's like a spa day for them, and it’s easy to get lost in the moment while you go to work removing mud and loose hair from their coats. Try to stay as present as possible. Feel their hair underneath your hands and listen to the sounds the tail brush makes as it works through their tail. This presence and mindfulness will be recognized by your horse…and she will appreciate it more than you know!

2. Fun on the Ground: If you feel the desire to do something WITH your horse, then explore some low-energy/low-movement groundwork exercises. Things like the head softening exercise, Orbit the Sun, or Friendship Walking are all exercises you can do in almost any footing or amount of space. (Even a barn aisle!) If you want to learn more about these exercises, check out our online program.

3. In-Hand Adventure: Get out there with some in-hand exercises in whatever bridle you use to ride your horse. This can strengthen your communication from behind the shoulder, which translates beautifully to when you’re on their back again.

4. Walk it Out: Take leisurely walks with your horse, exploring the neighborhood and letting them sniff around. It's their version of a relaxing stroll in the park and is one of my favorite things to do with horses…especially after a snowstorm! This increases the trust your horse has in you as you help him navigate new sights, smells and sounds.

Remember: It's not about complexity; it's about the quality time you share.

Winter's here, and it's time to toss the guilt out the window. Let's give a welcome to a different kind of horsemanship. Quality time and tending to your horse's needs are what matter most in the chilly season. Focus on creating those magic moments of connection, understanding, and just hanging out. Your horse values your presence, and they appreciate your love more than the longest ride.

So, as snowflakes twirl and the barn creaks in the winter wind, take a deep breath. Remember quality over quantity.

Stay warm out there.