OK, I live in North Dakota, and bought my first horse this year. The previous owners used him to pony on race tracks, they have used him to break 200+ horses, and he has a lot of experience over all.
Here's my question. Has anyone noticed a change in their horses come winter? We bought him in August, and rode him every day until things iced up here, and now I don't dare ride him until his shoes are removed. First off, I'm sure I can go without riding him until the ice melts in spring, and should still be good to go.
What I'm most concerned about is his disposition. He is sometimes very skiddish and somewhat nervous, and other times he is really bouncy and playful. How common is this?! As a new horse owner, is there any other useful info that you may be able to provide for me?
I appreciate it!
Thanks!
Horse owners~~I have some winter time questions!!?
My horse is like that...he'll be so relaxed and then he gets really nervous, etc. I think some horses are just like that because I've had him for almost 14 years and he's always been that way. Although he does tend to be more skittish in the winter due to the wind, cold, and lack of exercise. He should be fine if you don't ride him during the winter...just keep in mind that he will be out of shape and you will have to start slower so he can get back in shape once spring comes. Other advice...start a rainy day fund because horse emergencies are SO expensive!! I've had colic, fractured coffin bone, etc. and they all cost several thousand dollars to fix. Good luck w/ your new horse!!
Reply:I would only feed Hay;Plenty of Water,save the Oats untill He is Working;
Reply:If you don't see your horse over the winter then he will not be as used to you as he was when you got him. As much as everyone who hates to admit it, we all don't want to go out in the cold and see them, but we still love them and we have to for them to remember us and have them be closer to us. My horses have to be cared for every day and wheter I like it or not I have to give them love every day and spoil them more in the winter to keep them warm and healthy. The more you see your horses, the less skiddish they will be around you and they( he) will love you all year. Hope I helped!!!
Reply:Cooler weather tends to make horses jittery and skittish, a bit high strung. It is quite normal for horses to act this way.
Reply:My horses are out on pasture, and then both pastures come into their stalls for the night. We have a indoor arena and stuff so ice and stuff isnt a issue.
But what ive noticed in the pasture is some of them never move. A older horse had to be in a paddock by himself because of a injury and he fell on the ice. VERY sad thing to see.
Well what happens with mine and my boarders horses is that they dont move a inch out in the icy pasture but when they come in or i have to ride them they are like a mexican jumping bean because they couldnt run or anything outside. And of course i have to hold them back best i could because i dont want them to lose precious body heat. Also what i see alot is one day lets say is 40 degrees, and the next is 12 degrees... the horses get really excited over it because its such a huge weather change. Since it doesnt sound like you have a indoor ring, you could possibly trailer him somewhere.
IM nervous for next week because its supposed to be in the 40's. But my horses have pretty heavy coats, so even though its warm i cant ride much. =[
Reply:I think he might need to be lunged once a day. You might think he's getting enough exersize but on his own I dout he's getting as much as he's use to. You don't have to worry about riding him. Just grab a lunge line and go into a ring or in the field and lunge hime at all diferent gaints. Give him the same amount of exersize he's use to during the summer. Also try T-touch it could help. I have total faith in it. If you don't already use it here's a website on it http://www.tellingtontouch.com/
good luck!
Reply:Any horse can be skittish or nervous on windy days. would that be the problem? Are you acting different with him when he acts nervous. He will react to how you react. If he acts nervous or skittish, get him moving get his attention on what he's doing. Always act confident with him. I've noticed my horses seem friskier on cold winter days. I live in South Dakota. I don't shoe my horses. I just trim their hooves when they need it. I like riding in the winter and my horses seem to like being ridden and going someplace in the winter. Since he used to pony horses, he may not have been taught to gallup on cue. On him not staying in the barn, horses if given the choice prefer to be outside. When the weather gets too harsh for him he will go into the barn. Here's a thought. Why not get a horse for your husband and then your horse will have a buddy. Think how nice it would be for you and your husband to to ride into the sunset together.
Reply:because he has more energy because
1. you aren't riding him
2. its winter its cold and the cold seems to make the horses skiddish and full of energy
horses know if your scared so some will take advantage of that too.
build up a trust and just trust him. HANG ON!
have fun!
oh try to stay on the snow or he might slip!
Reply:All horses feel frisky in the cool air are 20 year old gelding runs and bucks with all the other horses when we turn them out over the winter every few weeks or when the suns out. And he usually just starts eating in the summer.
Reply:Congrats on buying your horse.
I am in the UK and mine are out during the day and in at night. with Christmas and it going dark so early they are not getting ridden very often so mine are being silly and spooky when they are ridden and more grumpy than usual when we do anything with them - all they want to do at the moment is eat !
Reply:Okay, you Need to ride him really soon. he can not go that long, it will make him hyper and really skiddish. Also my horse has changed a little he has a little more energy. Try hand walking around things that scare him and he will trust you pet him give treats, whatever he likes.
Also for some other info. Baker blankets are awesome for the cold. Thats what I have.
Hope this helps!!!!
Reply:It's completely normal. It's harder for them to get outside and exercise in the bad weather. And unlike people, horses store energy and not just fat. I would ride him if possible, and if not make sure he gets to go outside a lot. Most horses would prefer to be outside in the snow and ice than locked up inside.
Reply:He sounds like a cool horse, awesome experience and resume he has.
I have a 10 yr old mule that is a jerk when it gets cold.. He bucks and plays and carries on worse than a weanling. Some are just like that and more work and less hot feed does help. He also has an alfalfa meth high going on, so he has been cut back severely on that. So just some ideas for you to try.
You can also bit him up, attach lines to the saddle and just lunge him around to burn off some excess energy before you ride.
More than likely he will come around just fine in the spring, but thats some ideas if you want to ride before then.
Reply:Congrats on your new horse! It sounds like he's not getting a lot of exercise (which it sounds like he was used to), which would account for his behavior. He's probably not being turned out as much, either, because of the weather, so that isn't helping matters. He's full of energy, but he's got no place to burn it, so he's acting bouncy and skittish. If you have an indoor, you could lunge or ride him to get rid of some of his energy. (I am guessing you don't, or else you wouldn't have this problem!) You are smart not to ride him on the ice, good for you.
It mioght help break his boredom a little if you give him a stall toy (check out State Line Tack or Dover's website for these). One of my horses really liked an empty plastic jug with some gravel inside tied to a rafter above her head in her stall...she'd bop it around and entertain herself that way. Take him out of his stall a few times a day and groom him so he gets a change of scenery. He will calm down once he's getting more exercise in the warmer weather.
Reply:ride him in the snow, he'll be fine
pony horses off track are usually great rides very dependable
he may always be nervous, the longer you have him and the more you show him that the monsters are not going to eat him
he will trust you more with time
Reply:I live in South Dakota, so yes I know how the winters can be. However, I would never personally have a horse with shoes on them this time of the year.....Unless I was hauling them and they stayed stalled when not riding. I personally believe that that is a very good way to get an injury that could have been easily prevented.
Their dispostions don't change with the seasons if that is what you are asking. Mine have the same personalities and dispostions all year long..... unless there is a storm coming in. In the winter when it is like this they will be alittle more frisky, and in the summer time they are about the same. It's kinda hard to explain, but it you watch your horse right before a storm hits you know what I am trying to say.
My suggestion to you is to spend some time with him. He is still new so things are new to him. I would personally spend as much time with him as you could to form a bond. Not so much riding, just on the ground stuff. Grooming, loving on him, giving him treats. Good Luck!!
Reply:My horses change a little. They go from really play full and very good under saddle, to still playful, but because its snowy and icy, they are a little more careful. They are still good under saddle but tis a little harder to get them to set their head and come onto the bit.
Your horse may have changed because you aren't spending as much time with him as you were, because its so cold. I know i do but my horses are used to it. Just because you aren't riding him and playing with him as much, try to give him a little more attention.
Reply:Is he alone or with other horses? Anxiety is common in Thoroughbreds when not in a excersize routine. What breed is he? I had a TB mare that had "skiddish" attitude on windy days. Is he on a high protien feed? Sweet feed can cause hyperactivity in horses and considering he can't burn it off like when you bought him. Look into his diet and surroundings.
Reply:i think he will be fine they do get skiddish sometimes when it is windy though
Reply:too much stuff to read....UGH!
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