Most people don’t think of horses when they think of very cold countries like Russia, Alaska, Norway, Canada etc. They think dog mushing, skiing and cold. These countries often have very cold (to maybe -40°C or more) winters, long dark nights and in the Summer they often got hit by intense temperatures. Still... horses are everywhere. Horse people, on the other hand, seem to know that being horse obsessed is a planetary sort of thing... so let's have a look at the challenges they're facing. For those who compete or ride seriously, the short riding season is the biggest issue. Unless you have access to an indoor heated arena the challenge is most certainly real. Even if you do have a heated indoor arena, the struggle is still very real. Tacking up your horse at -10°C in the dark is never much fun. You can’t feel your fingers, you can’t see your feet and you worry constantly that your horse might get a bit too sweaty despite a trace clip which requires you to double blanket your horse. Don’t start on the blanket debate… When temperature drops to -30°C you'll start to know why horses are named: “hay burners”. They will eat you out of house and home for hay when the mercury stays at -30°C for a month. But as long as they have plenty of food, horses are actually able to maintain a body temperature and survive the hard winter. In addition to the cold and the cost, there is the lack of light in the winter. The sun barely makes an appearance on the horizon before it dives back down. If it’s warm enough you try to get on a horse and go for a little bareback ride, because time (read light) is limited. But the advantages are infinite Not only for the horse the colder temperature is better, also for the rider there are plenty of advantages... You haven’t lived until you’ve ridden under the midnight sun and taken in the untouched wilderness while looking through your pony’s ears. Or, enjoyed -30 degrees while blanketing your horse as the Northern Lights dance above your barn. There is something very magical about the frost on your horse’s mane as the setting sun kisses it. That’s why it’s worth it to us and why we’re all still here.
