Practicing in the Winter

by Teresa Fackrell


Practicing during the winter time can be tough.  It is cold.  It gets dark early.  I would rather stay home and hibernate.  But my kids want to be ready for a 4 day rodeo in February.  


We work really hard to get get to practice about 4 days a week.  Monday and Wednesday are rodeo club night.  Thursday we teach a 4H group.  But our favorite day is Sunday.  


We rent the indoor barn and invite the family.  We do it when it is warmer and make a day of it.  My sister in law brings water and hot chocolate mix.  We always have treats.  Then we all get together for lunch/dinner when we are done.  The kids enjoy practice when there are more kids to do it with. 


So here are our tips for your kids to survive the cold practices:
1) Toastie Toes - These are a must. Once your kids feet get cold they are done.  Cowboy boots are not the warmest but are the safest to ride in.  
2) Gloves - We all like the cheap magic stretch gloves because they cover your hands well but you can still feel and grip your reins well.
3) Portable Heater - The little propane heaters or we actually have a big 3 burner work great for getting their little hands warm.  It also keeps the younger children warm while the big kids practice.  
4) Layers - I love the silk thermals from Land's End.  My son loves Under Armour.  But this year I found something that really help with that cold leather saddle fleece lined Wranglers.  Your butt does not freeze when you sit in the saddle.  I am buying more pairs next winter.  
5) Time Limits - Set a time limit.  I have noticed on nights when we tell the kids we need to be done at a certain time, we get done by that time.  Then they are not as frozen when we leave the arena.  


Remember your horses too:
1) Warm them up careful.  Their muscles take a little bit longer to warm up in the bitter cold.  We have our kids do extra trotting when it is really cold.  Some days when we are just building endurance all we have them do it trot.
2) Cool them out really well.  It is important before you take them back out that they have had time to cool down properly.  Kids can walk all of the speed events.  This helps the horses to be calmer during those events anyway. 
2) Try to get their back dry.  We let our horses roll in the dry dirt of the covered arena after they are cool.  Then we usually let them stand in the barn for a little bit while we haul cattle and other equipment home. 


Hopefully some of this helps you survive until the sun comes out and we can enjoy riding outside again.