Working horse in winter time?

Question

I am training to go to a fair, im participating in the jumpers, the fair is March 30 - April 4. Is there anything special I need to know for working my horse throughout the winter? What kind of clipping he will need, shoeing, ect...?

I already have a blanket for him.

The show is this comming Spring.

Answer 1

It all depends on where you live.  For me, I live in Ontario Canada and we can get some pretty extreme temperatures during the winter months.  As long as your horse is able to warm up slowly and you don't make him work to the point that he is drenched in sweat, you should be alright.  Even if he is sweaty, make sure he is completely cooled down before you blanket him (if he's blanketed) and this is ESPECIALLY true if you horse lives outside.  Horses can acclimatize to weather better than many people think.  You can clip during the winter, but many people do not.  Seeing how the show is at the end of March, if you were to clip, clip him near the middle to end of March...this way you have hopefully misssed some of the coldest weather and make sure you have enough blankets to match the type of weather.

Answer 2

http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/he...

http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/ht...

here are some really good sights:) just make sure u kewl your horse down:) good luck in your show!!

♥Can't Stop Riding♥