The following article appeared in the Alaska Icelandic Horse Association’s newsletter in December, 2009.

Winter is here, and so far it’s been a season for us Southcentral Alaska riders. We’ve had numerous days of sunny weather and up until recently, limited snow. The trails have been ideal for riding. What follows are some things that I think all riders should think about as the temperatures continue to drop.

Before you ride:

Make sure that your saddle pads and bits are warm before you put them on your horse. Think about it this way; would you want someone to put a cold piece of metal in your mouth or a frozen sweater on your back? Brrrr. Warm up TTouches can also stave off future aches and pains. I as a matter of routine do python lifts, tail work, and abalone touches on the back. The colder temperatures can also be hard on our older pals, so it’s particularly important to walk for at least ten minutes before breaking into a trot. This, in all instances, saves wear and tear on joints, muscles, and ligaments. And if you’re going out at night, wear a reflective vest and take along a headlight.

The earlier in the day you go out on your ride, the better off you and your horse will be. After your jaunt your horse will be able to take advantage of the warming effects of the sun. Plus, it’s far easier in the daylight to note if anything is amiss. For example, a horse may (unbeknownst to you) showing symptoms of colic.

Dress warmly. I cannot stress how important this is. The general rule of thumb is to wear a base layer, a wicking layer, and a windbreak layer. Warm boots, hats, and mittens are a must. Putting a thin fleece liner under one’s helmet is always a good idea. If you get moderately cold, your judgment can be impaired. This could be deleterious for both you and your horse.

If you’re going out with a group, talk beforehand about where you are going, and take into consideration the trail conditions. Everyone should be in agreement about the proposed route and also stick with it, particularly at night. The unforeseen can happen when one encounters moose, snowmobiles, and punchy trails.

If your horse is barefoot, consider taking along a hoof pick or a sharp implement with which to remove compacted snow. Some apply cooking oil to the soles beforehand. I’m not sure how well this works because I go with ice shoes and popper pads. This prevents slippage on icy roads and snow buildup on the trails.

Before leaving the premises, write down or let someone know where you are going. I used to balk at the thought of doing this because my route was dependent on trail conditions, weather, and my horses’ mental state of being. But my having fallen off and knocked myself out was (no pun intended) a wakeup call. I now just cut my rides short if things aren’t going the way I’d originally planned. Having some form of ID, a cell phone, and a chocolate bar on hand is also a good idea.

During your ride:

If you’re an occasional winter rider, take it easy on those infrequent outings. Icelandics that are very forward won’t give you much of an indication that they’re tiring. This really holds true of the young ones, who haven’t yet learned how to pace themselves. Think of it this way, you have to do their thinking for them.

As best you can, try to keep your horse cool. If he or she breaks into a heavy sweat, slow the ride pace down. I have noticed that thick coated horses tend to break into a heavier sweat immediately after the ride, so I try to forestall this by taking it easier on them, especially when the temperature is below freezing.

It took a while for me figure this one out, but I now firmly believe this. If you see a moose or bear, stay on your horse and if need be, get the hell out of the area. You are in more danger if you are on the ground than if you are on your horses’ back.

After your ride:

This should be a rule of thumb, no matter what the weather. I get off my horses, loosen their girth, and walk the final half or mile home. This is real important in cold weather because otherwise, the horse can colic or catch pneumonia. I learned the hard way that horses with heaves are particularly susceptible to respiratory ailments. I’ll sometimes bend my hard and fast walking rule and canter up the road leading back to our place. However, l then walk the horse past the driveway, and keep going for a ways. This is also an opportune time to work on ground training.

Some blanket and some don’t. This is a very controversial subject among Icelandic horse owners. After a cold weather ride, I throw a thin polar fleece blanket on my horse. I don’t often blanket the young ones, but do put a nylon-fleece lined blanket Tinni if he’s been out for more than an hour in the winter.

Warm water and hay should be easily accessible after the ride. Some days I’ll also make a warm mash; mine contains wheat bran, apples, and carrots. TTouches are also welcome: I usually do zig zags under the saddle blanket, belly lifts, and ear slides and forelock pulls.