From: Margriet Schuurman
Dear Jessica,
First of all I want to thank you for this mailing list. It provided me with much helpful information about how to keep my ponies healthy and happy. I have a question about longing and riding in winter. First I want to tell you some background information. I have two New Forest ponies, both mares. Tootsie will be 7 years old in may. Shes a strong alpha-mare, and it took me quite a long time before we understood each other. Shimara is my filly, she will be 2 years old. Shes a real sweetheart. I did a lot of ground work with her and never got a complaint from the farrier :-) Last august I had a little baby boy. When I found out that I was pregnant (winter last year) I stopped riding. Now I think its time to go back in the saddle, and because its such a long time ago Im planning some lessons on school horses first. This summer I lunged Tootsie a bit, and she did a nice job after we had some conflicts. But now its winter! My ponies live in a big pasture, they get extra hay and have water and shelter from a small forest next door. They will be staying in the pasture, unless the weather will be wet. They dont like to stay in a stall, but sometimes its better for them. How can I work safe with Tootsie? When I lunge her she usually starts to gallop at first. This will make her very wet during cold weather. I dont think its better to start riding instead of longing. She usually is lazy, and I need the whip before she figures out that she is supposed to work. Its likely she starts galloping, and I dont feel secure enough.
Thank you for your help,
Margriet Schuurman, Tootsie and little Shimara from the Netherlands.
Actually, after reading your letter, it seems to me that the best thing you can do is to turn your horses out for the winter and begin your riding again in the spring. You obviously know the dangers of getting a horse soaking wet in cold weather -- and the inconvenience of spending hours walking the horse until it's dry and cool again.... and yet it's better for the horses to be outdoors in winter, wearing their natural coats.
It's a very good idea to have some lessons on school-horses. Why don't you do that first, perhaps once a week during the winter while your horses are on pasture. By late spring, when they have lost their coats and the footing is more reliable, you'll be feeling much stronger and more secure. You may also be able to take one or both of your mares to your instructor's stable for some training, or perhaps you can ask your instructor to come out and help you with them at home. That way, you can be as safe as possible and not have to deal with the problem of feeling unfit and insecure, or with the problem of a sweaty horse in winter. The extra time off won't hurt your mares, and it will give you a chance to build your own strength and skills, and to talk with your instructor about your plans for spring and summer.
Good luck!
Jessica
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