We’re close to 90°F today… and tomorrow it’s dropping to 30°F with possible snow. Those kinds of swings are hard on horses. Their bodies are constantly trying to adjust temperature, hydration, and metabolism — and that’s when we tend to see things like mild colic, respiratory irritation, or horses just feeling a little “off.” A few simple things you can do to help your horse handle these swings better: 1. Prioritize hydration. Rapid weather changes can reduce drinking. Make sure water is clean, unfrozen, and easy to access. Some horses drink more if you add a little soaked hay or electrolytes. 2. Don’t over-blanket. I know it's tempting with wet weather coming. If they sweat during the warm day and the temperature crashes overnight, that trapped moisture can actually chill them. 3. Support gut health. Weather stress can disrupt the hindgut. Keep forage consistent and available. 4. Keep them moving. Turnout and light movement help circulation, digestion, and temperature regulation. 5. Watch for the “quiet signs.” Less drinking, dull attitude, standing away from the herd, or mild stiffness can be early indicators that a horse is struggling with the shift. Most horses handle these swings just fine when their basic needs stay predictable: forage, movement, water, and social contact. Nature throws the curveballs… we just help keep things steady for them. Curious — how are the horses in your area handling this weather rollercoaster?

This week’s 10 Minute Tuesday experiment is simple: Stop before things fall apart. When you're riding and you feel something getting difficult for your horse, stop. How many good steps do you get? Maybe it's four. Maybe it's one. It doesn't matter. Quit while you're ahead. Let the moment end in success. You can always ask again — just for a moment. Today, reward the try. Then tomorrow, notice what your horse offers. You might be surprised how much more they bring when yesterday ended well. Happy Riding! P.S. Horses remember how things end. Make the ending a good one.

If you're enrolled in Reconnect, Rebuild, and Ride with Heart these are your "office hours". I'm switching to Wednesday evenings. Fridays are staying the same for now, but they will probably change when the weather warms up. Going forward Wednesdays — 7:00 PM EST Fridays — 10:00 AM EST These are relaxed coaching sessions where we can talk through anything that’s coming up with your horse or you. You can bring: • a question • a short video clip • a situation you’re trying to understand • or a small win from the week Sometimes the smallest moments with our horses turn out to be the most interesting to unpack. Come to whichever session fits your schedule — you don’t need to attend both. 👇 Drop your question or win below if you’d like me to cover it during Rider Lab. Looking forward to hearing what everyone is noticing this week.

If your seat, legs, and hands aren’t independent… your horse feels every brace, every lean, every collapse. Most riders think it’s a “horse training” issue. It’s usually a body awareness issue. Winter is the perfect time to fix this. You don’t need a saddle. You don’t even need to leave your couch. I just uploaded the full “Core Exercises You Can Do From the Couch” video inside the Classroom. These exercises will: • Improve rider balance • Increase true aid independence • Help you return to the saddle stronger this spring • Reduce tension your horse has been compensating for If you want your horse to feel lighter, freer, and more responsive… start with your body. 👉 Watch the full video in the Classroom section now under Ride Fitness.

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