Thursday, November 22nd - Classes ARE running tonight

Hey Raynham Riders!

It is very chilly for November today but the temperature is supposed to stay just above our cut-off for cancelling so we are going to run classes.  Please dress in LOTS of layers, wear snow pants, winter boots, thick gloves,  headband to go under your helmet, etc.   Please see the previous post with all my tips for dressing for winter riding :)  We have some hot packs in the tack room as well for chilly hands.  The most important part is to stay warm while tacking up and untacking.  The actual riding portion is fine - riding keeps you warm!

For the parents, we have the heat on in the viewing room or feel free to drop off and go grab a coffee from Tims.

See you in the barn!

Nikki

Winter Riding Tips!

Hey Raynham Riders,

Despite the balmy weather yesterday, winter is coming! Here are a few tips for staying comfortable and warm in the colder weather:

• Dress in layers and make sure your base layers are moisture wicking. Thermal long underwear designed for skiing is ideal! Once you are riding you will warm up quickly, so be sure your top layers have zippers so they can easily be removed when mounted.
• Head, hands and feet lose body heat quickly. Wear winter boots with ski socks, warm gloves or mittens and a hat when tacking up. Snow pants or sweatpants over your breeches is also a good idea for chilly days. You can remove the extra layers and switch to riding boots and gloves right before you get on.
• When riding, a headband can fit under a helmet or a cozy helmet cover is also a great option. 
• Winter riding boots (some options include: Greenhawk or Pleasant Ridge) and gloves are awesome for staying comfortable during the winter months.  
• If you can’t purchase riding-specific gear, your regular winter boots may be fine. They need to have a ½” – 1 ½“ heel, not too chunky treads and the foot needs to be narrow enough to fit into the stirrup. Ask your instructor to check if you are unsure. 
• For those really cold days, hot packs (www.littlehottieswarmers.com, sold at Costco and many other places!) in gloves and boots are a great way to stay warm

Horseback riding is a year-round sport, but we do live in Canada so please remember to dress appropriately so you can enjoy riding throughout the winter :)