Whileaway Ranch

11/16/2025

For equestrians in the northern states who do not migrate south for the winter season, the days after Daylight Savings in late fall signals the beginning of the long, dark, COLD time.

People leave their offices at 5 p.m. only to see darkness. The initial refreshing cool-off of fall and excitement over sweaters, vests, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes has waned. The new, harsh reality? Wind gusts that sting your skin, gusts, frozen water buckets, and weather-related disruptions to turnout and off-farm adventures, making for stir-crazy horse owners and tighter, fresher horses.

Folks from cold climates are hardy though, and many want to continue to work horses during these harsh months. Some take advantage of winter show circuits for accumulating points and qualifying for finals early in the year, while others may want to continue their training programs without a long interruption. For those continuing to work their horses during the cold months there are some important health related factors to consider.

The cold weather months are hardest on the respiratory health of our horses. Barns are often closed up tighter than in other months, so ventilation may not be as good. Horse barns that are poorly ventilated will stress the horse’s airway with small particles of dust, mold and higher ammonia levels from waste material in the stalls. Studies have confirmed that horses exercising while breathing very cold air have increased lower airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction (asthma-like response) than horses exercising while breathing more moderate temperature air.

Just like people, horses can shiver and tense their muscles when they are cold. Horses will overall have more muscle tension in the cold weather than on a warm and sunny summer day. It is not unusual for horses to be stiffer and less fluid in the cold. Additionally, horses tend to do less moving around on their own in turnout, and snow accumulation or icy conditions can limit the size and duration of turnout available.

Younger horses may be more “fresh,” horses with a tendency towards back pain may display more behavior issues (bucking, bolting, refusing to go forward, rearing), older horses may be stiffer and more sore. For the youngsters or those who develop behavioral responses in the cold this can lead to increased lunging, which may predispose to injury.

Additionally, indoor arena footing can become harder as the base underneath freezes and becomes less forgiving, leading to more concussive stress on the joints.

One of the biggest risk factors for developing gastric ulcerations is reduced water consumption.

Horses are at increased risk of developing ulcers in the cold weather if they are not consuming as much water as usual. Additionally, working the horse excessively in the winter on very cold days and causing even a light sweat can dehydrate them rapidly and predispose to an impaction type colic if they do not drink enough to replenish following the workout.

So, what’s the ultimate take-home message about riding in the cold? There is no specific temperature at which it becomes “too cold” to ride. However, consider that once the temperature dips below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), it is probably starting to become unpleasant for all involved.

Below 25 degrees, and it is likely that there will be lower airway effects—and these effects will be worse the colder the temperature gets. Horses tend to have the most gastrointestinal issues when there is a sudden change in temperature. So, a temperature of 20 degrees the day after a 40-degree day would potentially be more problematic than a week of 20 degrees straight.

The coldest months of the year may be an ideal time to let horses rest and recharge their minds, allowing them to have turnout as conditions allow, light work on a walker or treadmill if available, or 20-30 mins of tack walking during long periods of very cold conditions.

The horses will appreciate the downtime and you may be able to prevent some repetitive stress injury by not continuing to train during the coldest weeks of the year.

📎 Save & Share Dr. Heather Beach, DVM 's article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2022/03/15/ask-the-vet-when-is-it-too-cold-to-ride/

11/12/2025

11/01/2025

𝐀 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞

British Riding Clubs have taken a big, brave step this week one that quietly puts welfare right back where it belongs, at the centre of everything we do with horses.

From now on, riders at BRC competitions will be allowed to use vocal aids (their voice) during tests, so long as it’s quiet and discreet. And just as importantly, nosebands are no longer compulsory. You can ride in a bridle without one if your horse prefers it.

It might sound like a small rule tweak, but actually, it’s a major cultural shift. For decades, competitive riding has been wrapped up in convention, polished tack, tight straps, silent riders and anything that didn’t fit that mould was frowned upon. This new rule recognises what good horse people have known all along: that a relaxed jaw, a soft mouth and calm, clear communication matter far more than appearances.

Research has shown for years that over tightened nosebands can cause pain, restrict jaw movement, and mask tension. Some horses simply go better without one, yet many riders felt forced to use them because the rule book said so. Allowing riders to make that choice is an enormous welfare win. It recognises that every horse is different, and that comfort should come before conformity.

Allowing voice aids follows the same logic. Horses understand tone, rhythm and calm reassurance. A soft “steady” or “and… walk” can do far more to guide and relax a horse than any amount of rein pressure. It’s not about talking constantly, it’s about communicating clearly the same way we do on the ground.

This change also puts BRC ahead of the curve internationally. Sweden made nosebands optional in 2025, Denmark followed soon after, and many European countries are now openly questioning their necessity. Yet, British Dressage, our own governing body for national dressage is still lagging behind. Instead of removing the requirement altogether, BD is focusing on measuring tightness with gauges, due to come in over the next year. It’s a step forward, yes, but it still clings to the idea that we must have a strap around the horse’s nose in the first place.

The truth is, BRC have done what BD has hesitated to do trust riders to make the right welfare choices without being dictated by tradition. It’s refreshing, forward thinking, and very much in line with the broader welfare movement we’re seeing across Europe.

Of course, it’s not without challenges. Taking the noseband off won’t fix heavy hands, bad riding or poor saddle fit. And using the voice isn’t a shortcut for feel or timing, it takes skill to make it an aid, not a distraction. This is where coaches and clubs will have to step up. Riders need education, not just freedom, to use these tools fairly and effectively.

But overall, this is the right kind of change. It shows that BRC trusts its members to ride with empathy and awareness. It moves away from the old, rigid picture of dressage and back towards true horsemanship where the horse’s comfort and confidence come first.

British Dressage might want to take note. The grassroots are speaking, and they’re saying welfare matters more than formality. Tight straps and silent mouths don’t make good riding harmony does.

Hopefully Ireland won’t be far behind. We pride ourselves on being a nation that understands horses But we’re still a little slow to adapt when it comes to formal welfare driven rule changes.

𝐁𝐑𝐂 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡!
🙌🏻❤️

Photo Credit: Julia Clarke ( long time follower)

10/15/2025

10/14/2025

10/12/2025

Happy October! 🧡🍁❄️🤎🍂❄️

08/31/2025

Roughly five thousand years ago on the Eurasian steppe, people began selecting horses not only for their strength but also for traits hidden in their DNA. A new genomic study points to two key regions of the horse genome that may have determined which animals could be saddled and steered. One gene, ZFPM1, influences anxiety and stress in other species. Its rise suggests early breeders favored calmer, more manageable animals.

The second, GSDMC, appears tied to the shape and stability of the spine. When this variant spread between 4,700 and 4,200 years ago, horses likely developed stronger backs and sturdier forelimbs. Such changes would have made them better able to carry a rider, a development that transformed human mobility and warfare. Ludovic Orlando, who led the research team, explained that the rapid spread of these traits shows how quickly people recognized and reinforced them through breeding.

Archaeological traces of early saddling and wear on horse teeth line up with the genetic timeline. The match between the physical record and the DNA record provides a compelling case that humans were deliberately shaping the rideability of horses at the dawn of the Bronze Age. While other genes and cultural innovations surely played a part, this discovery helps explain why wild herds became the trusted partners that carried humans across continents and into history.

08/18/2025

07/11/2025

Recent research published in the journal Animal shows a clear link between horse welfare and rider safety.

Horses in facilities with better welfare—characterised by fewer health problems, higher haemoglobin levels, and more positive behaviour towards humans—were associated with the lowest number of rider falls during lessons.

In contrast, horses showing signs of poor welfare, such as chronic pain, apathy, aggression, or anaemia, were associated with more rider accidents.

The study also found that positive, attentive human-horse interactions during care and riding improved welfare, while rushed or minimal interaction worsened it.

Management practices like the frequency of turnout or the teaching strategies employed by riding instructors—were also found to be highly influential.

For example, the facility with the best welfare outcomes provided more frequent turnout and riding instruction that emphasised horse comfort rather than strict control. This approach not only improved horse welfare but also resulted in safer riding environments and a reduced risk of accidents.

This study, though modest in scale, clearly demonstrates that investing in horse welfare brings tangible benefits beyond simply having healthier, happier animals.

Facilities that make even small improvements in management—such as increasing turnout and providing more attentive care—see direct enhancements in horse welfare, which in turn results in fewer rider accidents during lessons and lowers the risk of costly legal claims for riding centres.

Ultimately, prioritising horse welfare is both an ethical responsibility and a sound, practical strategy for creating safer, more sustainable riding operations.

Full Study: L. Gueguen, R. Palme, P. Jego, S. Henry, M. Hausberger,
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough,
animal, Volume 19, Issue 6, 2025

07/04/2025

“While an unpopular opinion among some, it’s better to be able to see a hint of a horse’s ribs than fat deposits.”

I could not agree more.

This is just a short excerpt from the article “5 Common Feeding Mistakes” by Emily Dickson, MS. See link to full article below. Worth the read!

“Considering domestic horses evolved from wild predecessors who traveled 20 to 30 miles per day to meet their feed and water needs, it’s clear that most domestic horses are not getting as much exercise as they used to. Further, we tend to overestimate the amount of exercise they do get.

While an unpopular opinion among some, it’s better to be able to see a hint of a horse’s ribs than fat deposits.

“It is challenging to have horse owners feed their horse in a manner that encourages an appropriate body condition score, as people are used to seeing overweight horses and believe it looks good,” says Brian Nielsen, PhD, PAS, Dipl. ACAN, professor of equine nutrition and exercise physiology at Michigan State University. “There is an old saying that ‘fat hides a lot of sins.’ A large number of individuals in the horse industry believe they are knowledgeable but often mistake a horse that is fat for one with good muscling. That being said, it has been known for about 100 years that calorie restriction can lead to a longer life.

“As often happens with horses, dogs, and other pets, many people fall into the trap of ‘killing them with kindness’ by allowing their animals to become overweight,” he continues. “Many health problems could be avoided if horse owners were more diligent in regulating the body condition score of their animals.”

Nielsen is not advocating for skinny animals but, rather, bringing awareness to the fact that fat horses are at significantly higher risk for developing serious and painful health conditions than a slightly ribby horse.”

https://thehorse.com/1106183/5-common-horse-feeding-mistakes/

Want a second set of eyes on your horse’s diet? Sign up online for a free nutrition consultation at https://bluebonnetfeeds.com/pages/consults

05/27/2025

We have stalls available for Summer boarding! Our cool and spacious indoor arena is lined with large windows, filling the space with breezes and natural light. A large outdoor arena, individual turnouts with automatic waterers and spectacular mountain views create the perfect accommodation with full care board. Private trails are accessed from the back gates. Lessons available or bring your trainer. We are located in Silver Creek Estates minutes from Park City and Deer Valley. Text or call (301)787-4730