Without an Indoor Riding Arena ... How do you do it???

I've never ridden in an indoor arena before and it doesn't snow or get particularly cold here, so I can't help you out on that. :-/ I'm assuming there will be nice days inbetween and you'll have to jump at every chance to ride.

My best friend and I used to just bundle up and go riding on the streets of course that was in Arizona and the winters there are nothing compared to Pa (were I currently live).

I have ridden in an indoor arena only once. Heh... and I didn't like it. There's just something about being in REAL air... :P

I've ridden when it's snowy. Just make sure that you bundle up, and that it's not TOO cold. If it's too cold for YOU to go outside... DON'T TAKE THE HORSE OUT!!! But if you feel like it's a nice day, despite all the snow... go out. Just watch for ice. And places that are extremely slushy. Roads are nice, because you can often find them plowed through... which makes them slightly wet... yet still normal, without a ton of snow on it. :P

One thing I forgot to mention, in the winter we had borium welded to the bottom of our horse's shoes. It added the extra grip needed if we hit a slippery patch on the road or on rocks. We would also carry a small can of WD-40 to spray on their hooves to prevent snow from balling up.

Ah, there's nothing like riding in a field of freshly fallen snow.

iridehorses wrote:
Pam (or equivalent) cooking spray works, too.

Vaseline works too! That was recommended to us for putting on in the winters even when not riding to keep the snow from balling up. It works well. I live in Upper Michigan so we get some pretty serious snow :)

Lots of good ideas!

I don't live in a place that struggles with ice/snow either (California) but we do get A LOT of rain in the winter which makes our outdoor arenas muddy and unridable.

Therefore...

We ride on the road (not the pavement, I mean the dirt roads around the barn).

Its almost like we make our own little tracks around. You have to be careful, make sure you use wraps or splint boots because it still can be slick. Lunging on the road if riding is just not possible is good too.

If all else fails, hand walking and trotting just so they get exercise is a good option... think of it this way: You could get a lot of ground work done!!! Lol Horses can always improve on ground manners no matter how old they are!!!

I don't know when the snow comes up there, but ride as much as you can before!!!

All the best,

See if someone local with an indoor arena would let you ride in there.

It was once nice to go from the heated barn in to the heat areana in the winter!!!! After changing barns it was a ride across the street where I paid about $25.00 a month for time (about 15 years ago), we never rode when it was below -15 c on trails or -25 c in the areana with the horse heavy blanketed on the walk back and well cooled off, is there barn near you that you can rent time by the month that is in ridding distance?

Before I started boarding, I kept my horses at my place. During the winter time I must admit it did suck. There wasnt much that I could do so I took those winter months off.
If you want to continue riding, I would suggest to move your horse to a facility that access to indoor arenas.