I myself am not a 'fair weather' horseman therefore I always find ways of engaging my horse(s) during the winter months. Here are some ideas:
I spend time working on pressure points. Very little tack is needed for this; only a halter and some time. I will leave the house for about one hour and go to an open area in the pen or pasture and ask the horse to move away from from my hand. This includes areas that in the future that (when you are in the saddle) move the horses head, neck, shoulders, and hips. Ask for a little bit more every day.
Try different tack. This may mean getting them used to a different kind of bit or headstall. You may want to work them in a hackmore for something different. In the past I have been known to tack up a horse with a different headstall in their pen and leave them for a couple of hours while I go about completing chores or other tasks. Should you decide to try this make sure that the pen or stall is clear of anything that may get caught on the headstall or bit, and that the horse is alone. Take the reins off as well. Tying them up or around the neck is just asking for a problem. Make sure to check on your horse from time to time. Of course the bits must be comfortable for the horse. Their teeth and believe it or not the size of their tongue will determine whether or not a bit will work for them.
How well can you handle your horses feet? Make it easy for your ferrier, work on picking up all 4 of your horses feet with ease. This includes moving those feet while elevated to the front and back of their shoulder and hips.
If all else fails you can always improve how well that horse leads. There is nothing worse than trying to lead a horse that 'leans' on the halter, you know....... you pull slightly and the horse follows but chooses to stay at the speed of their choice no matter how much you tug on them. Getting your horse supple in the halter at all speeds is an essential basic training element. I spend many hours training and retraining many of our good saddle horses to give to the halter with ease regardless where the trainer stands or what speed the trainer wishes to go. Proper halter manners will lead into your horse making a connection to other training particularly in the bridle.
Winter is a great time to work on some of the more basic training that each horse aught to be exposed to. Much of this training can be accomplished with very little tack and in many cases no saddle is required.
Train Safe
Marc.
