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Extreme winter riding equipment? Bogs boots?

11K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  ponyboy 
#1 ·
Hello everyone,
I am living in Ottawa, Ontario for a year and the winters here are extreme. I've been told it gets down to -35 some days, but more regularly about -15. I have a lease of a (beautiful lovely) horse at the only stable I can access on public transport and there is no indoor arena so I am going to be braving it! I need to get properly kitted out. I am thinking of buying the Bogs equine boots since they can double as wellies and I don't have them either yet (coming over from the UK I didn't bring much riding kit, and anyway its all so ancient it needs replacing). I was wondering if anyone has tried the Bogs equine boots and if anyone has any other specific pieces of equipment I should get for riding in the winter. I will only be in this climate for one year so I like the idea of equipment that can multitask.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Tara
 
#2 ·
I live in Wisconsin and would recommend buying underarmor (or something like it) to wear under jeans/breeches, Buying some of the cheap strechy gloves and putting them under your winter riding gloves (I also have a pair of deer hide fleece lined mittins I wear over all the other gloves), take out your helmet liner (if you wear one) so you can wear a hat under the helmet (if you cant take the lining out wear a head band), buy lots of woolen socks :), and I also wear thick winter boots when tacking up and doing chores but lighter boots when riding. To keep the boots warm I keep them in my car. Hope this Helps

Painting Missy
 
#3 ·
I have Bogs Boots that I wear for barn chores. These, to be exact:http://z.about.com/d/containergardening/1/0/C/2/-/-/Bogslg.JPG. They're warm, comfortable and totally waterproof (I have to walk through a creek everyday to get to our manure pile). If the equine version is anything like the type I have - go for it!

The only thing I'm not too sure about is the outside material... but, it would probably just be like a rubber tall boot. Fine for winter riding :)
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the advice PaintingMissy and My Beau! Some great tips. Any tips on looking after your horse after riding in really cold conditions? I'm worried about how to cool him down without him getting a chill.
Also, any other tips for winter riding much appreciated!
 
#5 ·
Make sure you walk them out for about 10 minutes before you head back to the barn. I untack and throw a fleece or wool cooler over them. And then I lift up sections at a time and towel dry underneath.

Exercise blankets are great for warm up/cool downs in the winter, too :)
 
#6 ·
There were a couple good threads about winter riding gear recently. I can't remember the name of the one mostly about clothing but "Good Winter Riding Boots" was about boots. the Dover catalog has some great deals on winter riding clothing, full seat insulated waterproof breaches, gloves, etc. right now.
 
#7 ·
I don't ride out if it is really cold. Feezing air is bad for lungs. And also in the winter I just don't work my horse as hard so they don't work up a sweat. I understand that this is unreasonable for some people so just spend alot of time cooling down and make sure your horse is warmed up good too. Don't need any injuries.
Hope this helps
 
#8 ·
Yeah, if cold enough, the air that is entering the lungs through the nose won't warm up enough, therfor it freezes(or drops the temperature of) the liquid inside the lungs. Just warm up and cool down with an exercise sheet
 
#9 ·
So your advice to me is to hold my breath!? Eek this is scary. How cold are we talking when lung damage starts? Don't ski ers and people suffer from this? Are you sure about the lung thing it sounds like you might be pulling my leg! Thanks for all the advice though! I've gone with mountain horse long winter boots, the clunkier ones, and their snow pant jodphur things. Plus smartwool socks. Not fully kitted out yet but getting there. Thanks everyone!
 
#10 ·
NO! I didin't intend to scare you. I read about this happening in horses somewhere. I'm fairly sure this is something VERY rare! good luck! I don't know how the heck you do it. I can barly stand sub 30s
 
#11 ·
Hello everyone,
I am living in Ottawa, Ontario for a year and the winters here are extreme. I've been told it gets down to -35 some days, but more regularly about -15. I have a lease of a (beautiful lovely) horse at the only stable I can access on public transport and there is no indoor arena so I am going to be braving it! I need to get properly kitted out.
I live in Ottawa and I know the place you're talking about. Never been there though. Apple Saddlery has the insulated Ariat boots on sale now... I would definitely check that out!
 
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