Top 10: Tips for Staying Toasty

We love the cooler months at U Rock ‘n Ride. Our home is in the Midwest so the trees are just starting to show the first sign of color. It also means things are a little “invigorating” when first stepping into the barn. Here's our Top 10: Tips for Staying Toasty to keep you comfortable while working in cooler temps.

1. Cover Your Hands. Mittens keep your hands the warmest but don't work all that well when trying to halter a horse. We recommend keeping a bucket in the tack room with a variety of mittens and gloves to switch out during your barn routine. Mittens are fine for sweeping, cleaning stalls, dragging the arena. Switch to a pair of fleece lined leather or synthetic leather gloves for when you're working with horses. Stay away from any material that will draw dust, hay, horse hair or shavings to it. If your hands do get sweaty from work, change your gloves/mittens right away.
2. The Right Boots. A great pair of work boots that are either waterproof or water repellent are the way to go. They should fit great and be the most comfortable thing you put on your feet. They are not a fashion statement, but a functional essential.
3. Toasty Toes. Stock up on a bunch of good, thick socks. We like wool or polypropylene socks for cold weather. If you're feet sweat or get too warm, change your socks. Put a fresh stock in the same bin as your mittens and gloves.
4. Hand & Feet Warmers. Stock up on these magical little wonders. If you buy in bulk you can usually find them for about a $1.00 a pair. They're invaluable when the weather turns really cold and will keep your hands and feet warm for hours.
5. Take Cover. Cover your head and ears. We like the combination of earmuffs and a hat. Sometimes the hat just gets to be a bit much, but we still want our ears to be warm. Before it turns too frigid, even a baseball hat will help keep you warm. As it turns colder, switch to a fleece or wool hat … but keep the earmuffs.
6. Scarf. Not just a fashion statement and not just for chicks. A neck wrap is an excellent way to keep warm. Whatever you put around your neck, make sure that you tuck ends into your jacket or vest so they don't get caught up on anything while working.
7. Invest in a Vest. Vests are great and work well when dressing in layers. We prefer vests to bulky jackets which are harder to move in and sometimes just get us too hot while working in the barn. If you're too bundled, you'll break a sweat which will ultimately make you cold to the core. It will take you a long time to shake that chill.
8. Layers. Mom is that you? Yes, dressing in layers really is the way to go. Keep whatever is closest to your body made of material that will wick away moisture. Keep the layers fitted, but not too tight and shed them as the day warms or you warm from work.
9. Hot Beverage. Some people think drinking a hot beverage actually cools a person. We like the idea of bringing a thermos of coffee, hot chocolate or soup to the barn. Even if it's just in our head, that warm beverage warms us up from the inside out!
10. Keep Moving. The best way to keep warm in the cooler months is to get moving and get to work. You'll be losing layers after the first stall is cleaned.
    

What are your ideas for staying warm? Comment below or post in the Forum. We want to hear from you! Discuss ->

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Comments  

 

# tattooed_reiner 2008-09-15 05:44

Great advice - especially the whole "dress in layers" thing!!

 

 

# telby69 2008-09-16 00:20

Good article. Good timing. I found rechargeable warmers. Just throw them in the water as you boil it for bran mash.

Also vests with kidney warmers have really made the rounds with hunters.

 

 

# Chase 2008-09-30 18:02

Great article that uses a ton of common sense.

Thanks for sharing

 

 

# J.L. 2008-10-05 18:05

These really are great ways to stay warm. These are the same simple ways that I manage to stay warm in the winter months working 12 and 13 hour days. Great Advice.

 

 

# fullcirclerider 2008-11-13 09:57

Coming from Montana I have learned the best way to keep warm on those long cold winter days. I put hand warmers, the kind you get at atwoods or Walmart into my back pockets of my jeans and also a couple in your boots on the outside of your ankle , be sure to keep the sock between the warmer and your skin ...I always wear a hankerchief around my neck summer or winter to keep the cold out and to wet and cool off with in the summer. Stay dry and you can still get some good days of riding in during the winter months.

 

 

# country_girl 2008-12-01 03:49

Great article. *sneeze* Maybe I should have read this earlier and printed it out. *cough* Hehe.

Seriously, though, this is a great article, because it's so easy to take things like this for granted when we're "all grown up," and no one is there to make us do it. ...Or least it seems to be for me, anyway.

 

 

# Saddle Tramp 2009-01-08 00:38

after we got all the tack and feed inn our new barn, the next thing was the
coffee pot, I drink a lot of Java, especially when its cold, and you never know
when you may be spending extra time with a sick horse, or waiting on the mare to foal...
bought a kit from TSC to build a wood burning, twin 55 gl drum,heater and it works great,
at my age I hate the cold, but I hate the heat too...
remember: don't eat an apple yourself, then kiss your horse on the nose!;-)

 

 

# Mary 2009-01-24 04:15

Hey coming from the frozen tundra,I can tell you that the little gloves you can buy anyplace (one sz. fit all) for like a dollar works wonders. You put those on and find a pair of wool gloves to fit over them,no cold hands and if you need to halter your horse you just take the wool ones off and you can work with the little ones you still have on and your hands are still covered. Trust me I've tried a lot of different ones, layers are the best to keep the body warm or cool...Just haven't got the whole feet thing down yet but close,thin socks then wool so the moister can wick away for your feet so they don't get colder from the sweat.;-)

 

 

# Deneene More Than Horsin 2009-01-27 07:00

Well written article. I read it to see if there was anything I could do that I wasn't already doing, but sadly, I found nothing new. My daughter bought me those little self-stick Toasty Toes that you stick to the bottom of your socks, then you slip your boots on. They've been wonderful for keeping my toes from getting cold. I liked Mary's idea about wearing those stretchy cotton gloves underneath heavier ones and I do believe I'm going to try that, since I'm constantly removing my gloves to adjust a buckle or tighten and throat latch. Thanks, Mary!

 

 

# friesiansownme 2009-01-28 02:46

Good article! I wear so many layers I look like I gained 50 lbs. before I go out to the barn! If the barn turns out to be warmer than I thought, well layers just get peeled off!

 

 

# lauram 2009-01-31 22:01

Another great article. I dress in so many layers I look like the Michelin Man at times. No choice though in MI if you want to be out with your horse.

 

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