Being a groom in winter: Our top survival tips

Working with horses is one of the most rewarding professions, but in winter it can be a challenge for even the most seasoned of grooms.

Shorter daylight hours, mud, wet weather, more mud and the cold mean that day-to-day tasks can sap your energy.

Here are our top survival tips.

1. Regulate your body temperature:

You might find that you get hot when you are doing more intensive jobs such as mucking out which can lead to sweating. Sweat is produced to cool the body and lower your internal temperature. In summer this is helpful, but in winter it leaves you feeling cold – especially if your clothes get damp.

Once you are cold and damp it is really difficult to warm up, so the key to this is to wear multiple layers. That way you can remove a couple of layers before doing more strenuous tasks such as mucking out, so you don’t sweat, and put them on again when your body is not producing heat. Choose a good quality baselayer which is designed for strenuous activities made from a technical fabric or merino wool.

Using layers is the key to regulating your body temperature.

2. Keep dry

When you work outside in the wind, rain, ice, sleet and everything in between, it is really important to stay dry. A waterproof jacket, trousers, and boots are essential. Make sure you have a change of clothes with you, as being wet and cold for the rest of the day is demoralising.

If your boots are starting to leak, you can give them a second life with a re-proofer, although always check which products are safe to use on your particular boots. Failing that, it is not uncommon to see a resourceful use of a dog poo bag stuffed inside a boot until you can get another pair ordered.

3. Avoid cold hands

Cold hands are not only uncomfortable, but cold fingers also really slow you down. It can be a challenge to wear big gloves for tasks around the yard such as tacking up, and once your gloves get wet your hands get even colder.

Try wearing a pair of surgical gloves inside your gloves and have a couple of pairs of gloves to hand each day so that you can replace them if they do get wet. The surgical gloves stop your hands from getting as wet, which slows down the cold.

Invest in a pair of waterproof gloves – these are a real game changer for your fingers, and if you are not doing tasks which involve getting wet then have a look at heated gloves.

4. Chilblains

Beat the chilblains on your legs by using a pair of tights, or thin thermal leggings underneath your breeches, or jeans. Avoid warming up too quickly by leaning against radiators, or getting straight in a hot bath/shower, as these can make your chilblains worse.

5. Keep your head warm

It is actually a myth that you lose the most heat through your head – but keeping your head and ears warm really does make a difference to keeping warm when you are on the yard all day, especially in the wind.

6. Hydration is key

When you have an energy lull it can be easy to reach for the chocolate and caffeine, but after the initial pick me up, these actually make you feel more tired. In winter you might not feel like drinking water, but being dehydrated is one of the leading causes of energy loss. You need at least two litres of water a day, and more if you are sweating.  

7. Fuel your body

We can all be guilty of eating very little during the day and then getting home and eating our daily calorie allowance in under 30 minutes – but it is important to fuel your body throughout the day to keep your energy levels up. Snacks such as protein, or muesli bars are easy to eat on the go, whilst a flask of warming soup is quick and simple if you have limited access to facilities.

8. Make time for breakfast

The Olympic Delivery Authority found that providing breakfast improved health and safety. They provided a healthy breakfast, and accident levels were reduced*, so not only does breakfast keep your energy levels higher, it also helps your brain function which can reduce accidents in the workplace. Choose a slow releasing energy breakfast such as porridge.

9. The importance of sleep

Getting enough sleep is really important and essential for both mental and physical health. Good sleep improves your brain performance, your energy, your mood and your health. An adult needs a minimum of seven hours sleep a night – a great excuse to go to bed early!

10. Make time for fun

Plan some things to look forward to. Arranging to meet with friends, or to do something fun on your days off is important to boost morale and can help to keep you focused and energised. In any job it is important to have things to look forward to outside of work, which leads to a much better balance and will help keep you smiling through winter.
 
The good news is that we are now past the shortest day in the UK (22^nd December) – another thing to keep you smiling.


Reference * https://www.haspod.com/blog/construction/construction-what-to-eat-and-drink