Barn Wear

Since I have been working in a horse barn, I have not been cold at all. I usually take off my coat within the first half hour. I am constantly moving, so I have found that I stay pretty warm, until today. It never got that warm out, and I had to keep my coat on all day, which didn't seem to help. I had to take my coat off once, to wash a horse's tail, but realized that it was too cold to continue washing horse tails. Even though there is hot water in the wash rack, when it gets too cold out, hot water doesn't make a difference, it only seems to keep your hands warm!

I have also come to realize that my boots are no longer waterproof, so I will have to spray waterproof stuff on them again. It has been about 3 years since I've done that, and water is definitely getting inside! The only time I am in the wash rack right now, is when I have to wash tails and rinse off a sweaty horse, which isn't happening too much right now. But I know when the trainer's get back from U.S. Nationals, I will be in the wash rack a lot. So I will definitely need to spray those boots! I do have a pair of Columbia waterproof boots, but they don't have a hard toe, and some of those horses move around a lot in the wash rack, so I don't feel that comfortable wearing those around the horses. I have ended up with some wet socks in my boots, and that does not help when I am already cold. We do have a boot dryer at home, which is a necessity. I just throw my boots on the dryer, and within a couple hours, the insides are completely dry.

My expensive Ariat gloves that I absolutely love, ripped a seam in the thumb today. So my thumb kept poking out. I actually hate wearing gloves around horses, especially trying to take blankets on and off, and putting boots on or taking them off. Although I do wear them when I turn a horse out into the arena, I have had too many horses try to rip the lead rope out of my hands, which have resulted in rope burns. But when the temperatures really start to drop, I will need gloves. I am very picky about gloves, they must be very fitted to my hand, if they are too bulky, I can't function. Seriously!

The coat I wear is lighter weight, but it is rated for -20 degrees, which I don't really think is true. It does have a hood, which I need, and is waterproof, or used to be. I think the rain is seeping through now. So I am going shopping for a new barn coat this weekend. I must have waterproof, must be warm, must be comfortable and must have a hood. I was thinking of a ski coat. Hopefully I can find something to fit. I have a hard time getting coats to fit me, I usually can't fit in a womans small, and a extra small is just too small, the sleeves aren't long enough for my long, skinny arms.

My Columbia fleece zip-ups have been a life saver. Once I take my coat off, I have my fleece already on over a long sleeve t-shirt and a tank top. I have to wear a belt now with all the bending that I do, my jeans aren't wanting to stay put. Plus with me being so skinny, I don't have much of a butt or hips, so yep, that belt is a must wear!

I just bought some new boot socks, they are tall, but aren't that warm. I couldn't find any good ones for the winter. My OH stopped somewhere today, and picked up 4 pairs of boot socks for me, that are supposed to be warm. They are in the dryer right now, so I'll try a pair tomorrow.

When I am at home working my horses this time of year, I am only out for a couple hours. So I don't really get that cold. But I am working in a barn for 9-10 hours a day, so that is different then just going out to work one of my horses.

We all know how cold a barn gets in the winter. They seem to be colder inside then outside. So when the temps start to drop into the 20's and 30's, I will probably freeze my skinny butt off. What I would like for you guys to tell me is, what do you wear to the barn? Is there anything in particular that you must wear to keep warm? Any product suggestions? Has anyone found warm boot socks? How about keeping your feet dry? Any good fitting, warm gloves? Any recommended spray on waterproofing for boots? Anything you can help me with staying dry and warm would be greatly appreciated!! I am not a newbie to barn life, but I am a newbie to working in a barn full time!!