| There was a time when I would shun all attempts | | | | Try a scarf, wrapped around your neck and |
| of my mama to get me to wear a coat. "It's | | | | across your mouth. Yep, right out of the |
| really cold out there Oscar", she would say, "You'll | | | | Christmas Story Movie they run every year, |
| catch your death!" | | | | Randy laid there like a slug. But he still had his |
| Tough guy, me! I don't recall ever getting sick | | | | scarf. |
| because I didn't wear a heavy enough coat or | | | | It should make sense that if it is so cold you have |
| any coat at all,but I do recall being very cold when | | | | to dress up like Randy and can't move your |
| I came inside. | | | | arms, maybe your horse won't like the ride much |
| As I grew older, I could feel the cold more and | | | | either, especially if you are one of those who pull |
| began wearing coats and then, heaver coats. I | | | | shoes in September. |
| learned it was not as cool as I thought to go | | | | Don't ride a barefoot horse. And if you ride in |
| macho. Fortunately all forays without a coat were | | | | snow or around ice, you'll need to check and pick |
| near the house so I could run inside if the cold | | | | hooves about every 30 minutes (might be a little |
| worked its way to my bones. | | | | tough dismounting wearing all that garb). |
| But when trail riding, there's no place to go if you | | | | Take your time. Cold air is more exhausting for |
| get too cold, and if you do decide you need help | | | | you and for your horse. And, winter is not a time |
| it may be some distance and time away. | | | | for endurance testing. If you see any sign of your |
| Here are my hard-learned lessons offered as tips | | | | horse getting tired, stop for a rest (in a wind |
| for anyone planning to ride on horseback in cold | | | | shielded place, if possible). |
| weather. | | | | Leave the alcohol back at camp. A thermos of |
| Or anyone just carrying the trash can to the end | | | | hot coffee is a better warmer, and it doesn't |
| of the drive. | | | | compromise your thinking. |
| Dress in layers. Start with thermal long johns as a | | | | Heres my biggie: |
| base and build from there. You can always take | | | | If it aint workin, turn back. Being a die-hard is just |
| off a layer or two. (I thought long johns were | | | | not cool, for you or your trusty steed. No need |
| nerdy until I realized Helen didn't know I was | | | | to push on and hurt you or your horse. Some |
| wearing them and my teeth didn't chatter as | | | | days are just better than others to ride. If it aint |
| much). Wear the red ones only if you want us all | | | | workin, turn back. |
| to know. | | | | Good rule of thumb: if you have to put on so |
| Cover your head, and ears. You lose most of | | | | many layers to go for a ride that you risk frost |
| your body heat through your dome. Wear | | | | bite of your private parts because of how long it |
| insulated gloves with textured palms and fingers. I | | | | takes to peel down so you can do your business |
| remember the first time I wore a real hat, with | | | | in the woods,maybe you should wait for another |
| ear flaps, how muchwarmer I felt. | | | | day. |