How Cold is too Cold to Ride

By Alicia Johnson

During the cold winter months many equestrians in the region become fair weather riders, choosing to give their horses a break from regular riding; however, many devoted riders keep riding no matter what the weather throws at them…Which leads to the age-old question: How cold is too cold to ride?

Typically, we have mild winters with moderate temperatures that allow for riding throughout the entire season if one chooses to do so. Although, at the end of December we experienced single-digit temperatures, frigid wind chills, and icy precipitation that warranted exercising caution when it came to winter riding and horse care. Paying attention to key factors in both your horse and the elements will help you decide if it’s a good day for a ride.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple temperature cut-off for riding throughout the winter; several factors come into play. First, consider the terrain your horse will be ridden on. Slick, frozen ground or deep snow are deal breakers for a winter ride. Hard, icy terrain not only puts your horse at risk for losing its footing and, consequently, potential injuries, but places the rider at risk as well. Sprains, strains, and concussions are more common when riding on slick trails, as the risk for falls increases due to treacherous terrain. Snow may hide potential hazards on trails, such as holes or ruts. Also keep in mind that if temperatures are hovering around or below freezing, keeping outdoor riding at a walk is a good rule to follow. Your horse’s coat length is another factor to consider when riding in the cold, as it affects both evaporation and heat conductivity.

David Gitchell, local farrier and long-time horseman, goes by this general rule when it comes to riding in cold weather: “Listen to your horse.” If the horse is reluctant on frozen ground, David says the icy terrain is more than likely hurting its hooves. “Frozen ground can cause sole bruising which can lead to an abscess,” David states. He suggests shod horses’ shoes be picked; otherwise, ice balls will form in the shoes making it uncomfortable for the horse and potentially causing an abscess as well.

Another piece of advice for cold weather riding David offers is to warm up your bit. If you don’t have a heated tack room, try keeping your headstall indoors until you’re ready to tack up on a cold day. You can also place the bit in a warm bucket of water (make sure it’s not too hot), use commercial hand warmers over the bit, or simply warm the bit in your hands for a few minutes before you put the bridle on.

Quarter sheets can be purchased to drape over the hindquarters of your equine companion to ensure warmth while riding on a cold day, especially if your horse is clipped. Equally important is dressing in layers to keep yourself warm and comfortable as well. If trail riding alone when the temperatures dip, be sure to inform someone where you are going and when you should return. Consider ordering EquineTrac’s tracker and download their app. The tracker and app will record and track your ride. Should an emergency occur it will call your emergency contacts.

If you choose to keep your horse on a riding schedule this winter, enjoy those cooler temperatures. Most equestrians would gladly trade the horse flies and sweat that come with summer for a jacket and gloves in the winter. Just keep in mind to always evaluate your horse before you ride in the cold- is he or she reluctant or hesitant? Check the ground: is it too slick to ride? Is snow covering ruts, holes, or other potential hazards? If you have safely assessed the environment as well as your equine companion, enjoy that winter ride.

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The 2nd annual Bucking Around the Christmas Tree was held at the Northwest Multi-purpose Arena in Senatobia Miss. The event is a local fundraiser, with admission being a toy or food item which was then delivered to the community. It was a rainy, cold night but was full to capacity with a huge crowd coming to watch some great bull riding and barrel racing.

Cameron Favazza won the Junior bull riding category while Jayden Jackson took first in the Senior bull riding. In the open bull riding Hudson Bolton won the event with a ride of 87 points. Hudson is from Milan Tenn., just returned from Las Vegas where he won the 14-15 age group of the 2022 Junior World Bull Riding Finals.

Photos By Paul Nolte

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Bradford Performance Horses presented the Ranch Horse Christmas Finale on December 17, 2022 and Gould Arena in Moscow, Tenn. Open to Amateurs, Novice and Youth riders classes included Herd Work, Working Cow, Reining, Trail and Pleasure.

Photos by Gary Cox

The 34st Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Rodeo took place Monday December 26th, at the Agricenter Showplace Arena, with a great turnout of local fans as well as the Arkansas Razorback and Kansas Jayhawks visitors.

A slack performance (rodeo events for overflow entries) was held in the morning with some fast action that saw the 2nd fastest time in Team Roping for Cooper and Justin Cowan (6.7sec), as well as the 2nd place run of David Holt (8.5 sec) and 4th place run of BJ Billingsley (8.8 sec) both in Tie Down Roping event.

During the evening event the overall winners were produced by Bareback Bronc rider Jackson Poe (73 pts), Tie-Down Roping by Glenn Jackson (8.1 sec), Team Roping by Cooper and Cade Cowan (5.6 sec), Bare Bronc rider Kody Rinehart (81 pts), Cowgirl Barrel Racer, Mary Brooks (14.575 sec) and finally Bull Rider Colby Burgess (82 Pts).

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by Paul Nolte Photo by Paul Nolte

Photo by Paul Nolte Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by 870 Sports Photography

Photo by Paul Nolte

Hillside Stables – Boarding with 2x daily feeding, stall cleaning and turnout. Retired/aged horses welcomed. Wound care/rehab available. Riding lessons English or western.

Includes covered arena, round pen and wonderful wooded trails. Full board $500.00. We are located south of Collierville/Germantown, east of Olive Branch. www.HillsideStables. wordpress.com 901/857-7500

Premier Horse Boarding in Fayette county. Full/pasture board. Retired horses are welcome. Private pastures, grained 2x daily w/senior feed & Bermuda hay. All weather outdoor arena w/lights. 50+acres of riding, lots of additional amenities. Look us up on FB. Blues City Warmbloods Dana 901-331-3500 Boarding at beautiful WHITE OAK FARM: Located on 40 acres in northeast Shelby County at 10023 Rosemark Rd. Full Board $400/month. Board includes stall cleaning/shavings and morning/evening feedings.

Numerous amenities include large stalls with windows, stall fans, heated waterers, turnout pastures, lighted outdoor arena or inside barn riding, crosstie area with hot/ cold wash rack, fly spray system, Bermuda hay grown and baled onsite. Gated facility with owners and farm manager living on property. Call Sammy 901833-3075.

Training your horse, the correct & gentle way. Desensitizing & teaching respect on the ground; trust without fear. We mostly use the Buck Brannaman training methods. Exc. References. Grained 2 x day w/ Bermuda hay & private pastures. $800 Mo. Michael Garner 901-857-8060 Blues City Warmbloods on FB HORSE TRAINING SADDLE & TACK REPAIR:

Van’s Leather Craft. Custom gun holsters, belts, knife sheaths, photo albums etc. For sale: Used & new saddles and horse health products.

Off Hwy. 309, 1909 Bubba Taylor Rd., Byhalia, MS. (662) 838-6269.

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FEB. 25: Ring Stewarding, Bit Checking, Scribing and Scoring Clinic. KY Horse Park, Lexington, KY

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https://nwha.com, www.sshbea.org, www. walkinghorseowners.com, www.shobaonline.com FEB. 11: WHOA Annual Convention & Awards Banquet. James Union Building. Murfreesboro, TN.

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www.tqha.org, www.mqha.org, www. wtqha.org, www.midsouthquarterhorse. com, facebook Mid-South Breeders FEB. 7-8: Jackson, MS. Mary Hopkins Memorial Equestrians with Disabilities Show. Info: http://www.dnqhs.org FEB. 10-12: Nashville, TN. TQHA Annual Convention. Info: Keith Glad 615-8722905 FEB. 14-19: Jackson, MS. Dixie National Quarter Horse Show. Info: http://www. dnqhs.org

www.nationalsteeplechase.com, www. bloodhorse.com, https://www.oaklawn. com/racing/calendar/ Every Saturday through May: Hot Springs, AR. Oaklawn. Info: https://www.oaklawn. com/racing/calendar/

www.americanranchhorse.net, www.volrha. com Info: Parker Bradford 901-651-1145 MAR. 11-12: VolRHA. Agricenter International. Memphis, TN MAR. 18-19: SERHS Clinic. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Michelle Turner 423-619-4467; southeastranchhorse@gmail.com MAR. 31- April 2: SE Ranch Horse Series. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Michelle Turner 423-619-4467; southeastranchhorse@gmail.com

tnreining.com, www.nrha1.com MAR. 24-25: TNRHA. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN. Info: Ronnie Fox 865-388-1780 MAR. 25-27: TNRHA Shamrock Slide. Roane State Expo Center. Harriman, TN.

www.ipra-rodeo.com, www.prorodeo.com, www.lonestarrodeocompany.com FEB. 3-4: Shelbyville, TN. Calsonic Arena. Lone Star National Finals FEB. 4: Tupelo, MS. Bancorp South Arena. NE Mississippi Championship Rodeo FEB. 10-11: Starkville, MS. MS Horse Park. Starkville Breakaway FEB. 10-12: Bowling Green, KY. WKU Ag Expo Center. 41st Annual Lone Star Rodeo FEB. 10-18: Jackson, MS. Mississippi Coliseum. Dixie National Rodeo FEB. 11-12: Starkville, MS. MS Horse Park. Rotary Rodeo

www.ustrc.com, www.jx2events.com FEB. 10-12: Memphis, TN. Agricenter Show Place Arena. USTRC/WSTR Super Q Muddy River Classic

Facebook: Ingram Mills Saddle Club. Holly Springs, MS. Marshall Co. Fairgrounds. Cook’s Lake Saddle Club. 4269 N. Watkins, Memphis, TN. Info: Wes (901) 5703595. Cookslakesaddleclub.com Woodstock Cuba Saddle Club. 7211 Woodstock Cuba Rd. Millington, TN. Info: John (901) 412-0327. mywcsc.com

www.ustpa.com, www.rsnc.us Gould Arena. Ranch Sorting. Info: 901651-1145 FEB. 18-19: City Forest, MS. DJ Cowhorses Show. Info: www.ustpa.com

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