Cold Outside . . . Bored Horses Inside (or not)

Snow-bound? Cold? Got horses with nothing to do but eat, eat, eat?

Try on some of these inside-the-barn training ideas to keep you and your horses sane, plus some housekeeping hints.

Barn Boredom Busters

• Teach your horse to set up for conformation showing. Pfft you say? You'll never lead and feed? Standing 4-square quietly, without fussing and allowing your handler to move around while you maintain your equine position; is never a bad skill to have. Could also evolve this training into ground-tying -- also a useful tool.
• Practise/train for easy hoof cleaning, trimming and shoeing. Go find that hoof-pick, rasp and hammer and make sure your horse still remembers his manners where the farrier is concerned. Never had his feet touched before? Now (with no stress or pressure) is a great time to start. Remember, for the absolute newbie-horse (totally unbroke or baby-baby) that has never had his feet played with before, slow and steady wins the race, or at least the undying gratitude of your blacksmith; who will answer your calls immediately; knowing he comes to a barn with willing, trained horses.
• Ear trimming with clippers-- worth practising now (at least with the most stubborn beast you'll work up a sweat and actually be warm) so by the time the day of the show arrives, your horse will have at least  acquiesced to having less fuzzy ears. Again slow and steady is the way to go when introducing a totally new idea to your flight (or fight) animal.
• Practise unloading/loading -- again good for the absolute newbie/baby-baby. PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF FOOTING -- many people trailer their riding horses to indoor arenas to work -- good for you. However training a baby to step up/step down must be done on solid, non-slip footing. Clear a flat spot at the rear of the trailer, put sand/shavings or any other non-slip (non-salt) cover down to prevent foot slippage; and practise in and out -- with no agenda or pressure it is fascinating to see a horse figure out the easiest way to load/unload is to listen to the person with thumbs.
• Work on any other bug-a-boo your horses experience. -- With nothing but time on your hands (at least until lunch and that mug of hot chocolate), any little thing that has been bugging you about your beast; but you haven't had time to correct; now is a good time. Your horse probably wants something; anything to do; and may be very amenable to listening to the "person with thumbs", even if it is something that normally accompanies a toes-dug-in response. Walking over a tarp, over a bridge (most aisleways will fit one that you can practise with), backing up reliably from the ground; not flinging one's head when halters are removed; not clenching teeth when being bridled (to practise this when cold -- you must WARM the bit -- no fair cramming cold metal in your horse's mouth), there are plenty of little problem areas that could probably be corrected by the time the snow's off the ground and you are ready to mount up again.

HANDY HOUSEKEEPING HINTS

• clean your tack -- well really, it goes without saying; but then it often goes without cleaning too -- especially if you are using leather; now is a great time to take pieces into the house for an inspection and a good soaping and oiling. Pay special attention to stitched areas -- they are areas of weakness, areas where screws or metal decorations are applied -- areas of weakness and creases or folds (usually where bits attach). All these areas are prone to wear and tear. English saddles - check stirrup leathers, flaps and other areas where there is flex/movement to the leather. With your Western saddle; check fleece underneath; worn spots often allow screws to make contact with the horse. Polish silver (keep in mind what type of silver you have -- some accept metal polish; some simply want a toothbrush and some soapy water.) Fender/stirrup attachments can weaken, latigo straps can wear and check your neoprene girth to make sure it hasn't started to break down.  Inventory what needs replacing or what you think you'd like to purchase for the show season -- keep a list and check suppliers websites regularly; good sales often happen and could have the very thing you need being deeply discounted. Sign yourself up for your favourite store's email alerts -- then you will know when the sales are occurring.
• cobwebs -- yucky job; no one likes doing it; but they are a fire hazard and now is as good time as any to clear them out (all that stretching and reaching will help keep you warm) -- move horses outside or to another part of the barn so they aren't breathing in dust and consider wearing a dust mask yourself and goggles to prevent dust in your eyes
• clean/disinfect boots and brushes -- bring inside, put in laundry overflow tub and scrub with scrubby, check boots for and cracks/tears that put them on the discard list, let dry well before returning to the barn. Soak brush bristles in disinfectant/water mix -- do not get wood backing wet, nor wet the area where the bristles attach to the back.

Cold yet? Get in the house, have lunch + warm up and . . . continue . . .

• pull out your show clothes -- check what fits/doesn't, out of fashion/back in (yeah I know -- but it might happen!), needs cleaning/dry cleaning, mending, etc.
• grab your boots -- saddle soap, conditioner -- get to work -- remember if you get the leather really damp; you are going to want to wear them until dry -- so they form with your foot again!
• check your hat -- need cleaning? just brushing? shaping? -- no time like the present. How's your helmet holding up? Any cracks, need cleaning? Would a new cover do it?

If you managed your way through the list; reward yourself and go online -- check out all the deals at the suppliers. Or go shopping at your favourite horse classified site.