When the temperature drops and daylight hours shorten, the onset of winter can bring that familiar sinking feeling for many equestrians — especially if you don’t have access to a heated indoor arena. Cold, dark days make enjoying our equestrian lifestyles more challenging, and staying motivated takes a little extra effort. This is something I have felt all my life, and I honestly believe it’s at least partially why I struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Suddenly, the thing that brings me happiness — my horses — becomes more difficult to enjoy. Over the years I have found a few ways to make this time of year more enjoyable and ensure that I am able to maintain that bond with my horses, even when it’s less than desirable to be outdoors. 

Photo courtesy of Abby Stilwell 

I live on an acreage a few minutes outside of a small town with a public indoor arena. I have a four-stall barn that I am grateful for, but unless I win the lottery, I won’t have my own indoor riding arena any time soon. My trainer/coach has a beautiful facility about 45 minutes from my house, and I am grateful to have access to it, but given the distance, I typically only go there on the weekends. This means that my winters typically include a lot of hauling. If you’re fortunate enough to have your own indoor, or board at a facility that has one, some of my challenges may not be the same as yours, but I hope these tips will still resonate with equestrians in various situations.  

1. Take Advantage of Grooming Time 

Time spent in the company of our horses is a gift. Grooming your horse allows you to maintain your bond and relationship, while also keeping a close eye on their health and well-being. Bundling up to groom for 10-15 minutes, even without a warm barn to groom in, will be time well-spent. I keep my horses clipped in the winter, bringing them inside my barn at night, so this also ensures I see them daily and keep a close eye on them. There is scientific evidence to support stress reduction and improved mood in humans after spending time interacting with horses, and research is being conducted around the shared electromagnetic fields between horses and humans. So, take advantage of those moments to groom your horse and just be in their presence.  

Photo courtesy of Abby Stilwell 

2. Set a Schedule and Make Plans  

I do best if I make a schedule and stick to it. The only exception is if the weather is horrible, since I am often hauling in the winter and I don’t want to be out on the roads in unsafe conditions. I typically look ahead at the forecast and plan my week. I pick a few days where I will commit to hauling to the local indoor arena to ride, schedule a lesson with my coach, and then I identify our rest days (where I just groom) and add them to my calendar. 

Photo courtesy of Abby Stilwell 

If possible, I will also make plans to ride with friends, as this helps to hold me accountable. I think we all ride a little better and have more fun when we aren’t doing it alone. It’s not always possible but if you can set plans with fellow equestrians, especially during these challenging winter months, I promise it helps.   

3. Ride When the Sun Shines  

When those magical days appear — when it’s not too cold and the sun is shining — it feels so good to just go for a hack outside. I ride down the road and out in the field if the conditions are suitable. Even if it’s a short ride, the opportunity to ride outside of an arena is good for your horse (we have all heard the term “arena sour”), and that fresh air and vitamin D is great for our own wellness, too. These outdoor rides allow you to either work on different forms of conditioning or simply enjoy a relaxing ride in a different environment. Always make sure to dress appropriately for the conditions; this means both you and your horse (especially if they’re clipped). Throwing a quarter sheet on your horse and pulling on some good fleece-lined breeches and warm gloves can make a big difference in both your comfort and your horse’s.  

Photo courtesy of Abby Stilwell 

4. You’ll Never Regret Investing the Time 

That feeling of being cozy inside your house after a long day of work is the best, and often the last thing I feel like doing in those moments is bundling up, hooking onto my horse trailer, and making the two- to three-hour commitment to hauling to an indoor arena and riding my horse. That said, every single time I commit to doing it, I am so much happier. Usually, the second my leg swings over my horse’s back and I land in the saddle, I am grateful to be in that moment. Even if my ride is short, or I don’t focus too hard on any specific training goals, I have honestly never regretted investing the time. On the other hand, on those days when I choose not to ride or be outside with my horse, I almost always regret it. I feel guilty for not going, and I miss out on the stress-release that inevitably takes place every time I choose to be in the presence of these beautiful, healing animals. 

Photo courtesy of Abby Stilwell 

Something I have been striving to do in all aspects of my life is practice identifying and expressing gratitude. So, although the cold, dark days of winter can be depressing and make some of my equestrian goals a little more challenging to achieve, woven into these chilly months are wonderful opportunities to strengthen the bonds with our horses and heal our own hearts along the way.  

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Main Photo: iStock/Shahbaz Par Abdolmaleki asl