Winter is fast approaching.  Today it's speed appears to be 28 straight line or gusting 42.  Yuck.  It's a good day to be in the barn, and there are two in-the-barn projects that I like to do before it gets too cold. 

Read more to learn about getting your winter blankets and leather tack ready for winter's harsh conditions.

First, I like to get my blankets out and make sure that I have a blanket ready in the right size for each horse, and that they have all the straps they need.  Straps tend to get broken or lost at my hourse.  And, I'm bad about taking them off one blanket to fix another, only to discover that I really needed both blankets!  We sell replacement leg straps and belly straps that work with our Coolhorse Winter Blanket as well as the Pro Equine turnout blankets, and I try to keep a spare set or two on hand just in case. 

A Winter Blanket tip - If you find blankets that you can no longer read the size labels on, engrave them on a pet tag and put the tag on the hood attachment dees!  You can also do your horse's names if you have more than one horse wearing the same color blanket.

My other winter ritual is to dust off and oil all my leather tack.  Winter air here in the Texas Panhandle can be incredibly dry, and a cleaning and oiling now will help make sure your leather gear will make it through the winter without drying and cracking.  If the leather is dirty, be sure to get the dirt and dust off first with a saddle soap.  Then give it coat of oil to soak in and moisturize it.  After it's had a chance to soak in, brush off the excess oil so you won't attract more dust.  I go over all my saddles.  To learn more about cleaning you saddles, click here. I also like to go through leather bridles, reins, spur straps.  Even my leather dog leashes and my boots get a coat.  To shop leather care goods click here. 

Do you have any blanket tips or tricks?  Winter Rituals that you can share?  I would love to hear them, so send me a note at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it !

A Coolhorse friend sent in some more great tips, read more here to see what we learned from Cynthia in Wisconsin.