10 Winter weather ideas for horse lovers!!!!!!

For those of us in the Southern half of Australia, its getting wild, wet and wooly. So what can you do on those blustery days when riding is a soggy hobby? Here's a few suggestions:

1. Clean your tack! If you take all your tack inside, dont forget to put something on the floor to collect all the dirt. Then go through the tack with a fine tooth comb -checking for any breaks, tears in the leather, loose stitches - all those things that could be a safety hazard. Then clean, clean, clean!

2. Improve your knowledge! Buy or borrow an instructional/philosophical book, like Monty Roberts, or Dan Sumerel, or Parelli or any of the hundreds of self-teaching books available and learn while you're not on your horse. 

3. Learn Thai Chi or Yoga! How is that horse related? Both these exercises are great for balance and for breathing control and will actually improve your riding.

4. Aerobics! Go to a gym or hire a video tape but get into the fitness while everyone else is putting on the winter flab. A fit rider is always better than a non-fit rider and when you're riding, theres no time for aerobics, right?

5. Sing! Buy an instructional CD or find a singing teacher. Singing improves breathing, improves posture and both of these equal better riding!

6.Have a clear out. Go through your tack and remove anything thats obselete or not needed anymore. Perhaps you have a Riding for the Disabled stable nearby that you can donate them to.

7.Take lessons from a good facility with an INDOOR arena! You're never too old or too good to learn more.

8. Watch horsey videos - again, they can be instructional or just plain entertaining.

9. Paint your cavelletti! If you can find a nice big shed to keep them dry (they shouldnt be out in the paddock in winter if you're not using them), this is the perfect opportunity to spruce them up. Your friends will think they're brand new :)

10. Relax in front of the fire with a nice novel. Perhaps you can revisit the Black Stallion or My Friend Flicka!

Maybe you can think of other activities? Post them on the message board to share them with the group :)