Winter Riding: How cold is too cold to ride?

I have to agree with Kevin, mine get ridden and used in all temperatures (unless it is just too cold or hot for me to be out). During extreme temps, you do need to be more aware of how your horse is responding and how they seem to be feeling but most horses are hearty animals that can withstand much more than we humans think they can. However, I also agree with gypsygirl. I also depends on what the horse is used to. I wouldn't take a horse from SoCal where it has been in the 90's every day and ask him to do a full day's work here where it is 20 degrees and snowing.

I ride no matter what... Im lucky enough to have an indoor arena were Oscar is stabled so I can just go in there and turn the heater on

If the indoor was being used and I HAD to go outside I'd ride with Oscars fleecey cooler rug untill he warmed up then I'd take it off and keep him moving:) He normally has a full clip by the time the winter comes so he wouldnt sweat so much outside:)

you also have to think about their lungs. if its too cold out their lungs can be damaged, its just like people running outside when its too cold. if its really cold out i try to give them lots of walk breaks & also use a quarter sheet to they dont sweat

Now that's something I never heard of, and I've always spent a lot of my time cross-country skiing (which is about the same exercise level as running) in the winters. Granted that it doesn't get really cold in these parts (the Sierra Nevada), but I've also skied & snowshoed in some pretty darn cold northeastern winters, with no problems.

lol I agree. Wisconsin is NOT a warm state. If 20F was my cut-off, I might ride ten times in one winter or less since I can only ride in the evenings . I agree- it just depends on what the horse is used to.

Around here in Oklahoma, it really doesn't get all that cold very often in the winter. I would be more concerned about precipitation than temperature. We don't get much snow, but we do have incredible ice storms a few times a year. I sure wouldn't ride until the ice was gone.

As for my horse's lungs - they are outside pretty much all the time and will often run themselves silly in the cold. I haven't had any problems with their lungs, yet!

For me, I don't ride long enough when it's cold to get them to sweat. Aside from that, there is no temperature cut off, but if the wind is whippin - I'll quit even when it's in the 30's.

I live in Washington and it is usaully rainy here, but It has been getting colder. I am already using winter blankets and polos. It is normally about 60 degrees here, but it has dropped to about 40 45. I never ride if it is colder than 35-30 degreese and even then I give about a 20 min warmup. and I would never ride outside in weather colder than that. Sry I couldn't spell lol

20 degrees F

for light jumping my cut off is 20F but for riding work out (nojumping) my cuttoff is about 10F