I dont know, but they do seem to get very frisky. I wouldnt say spooky, really, but certainly frisky. I have noticed that over the years with my own and others. It seems to be normal, maybe its because it is cold, and they feel like playing. Sometimes they will run and buck and chase each other just before a storm, too.

Yes, that is excatly what I has been happening, too. How can we keep this under control, that it does not get dangerous when riding? Any idea would be welcomed. I find it a bit frightening!!!

Well, I dont know. I never rode mine when they were acting goofy.I would suggest doing some ground work first, before riding, to take some of the energy off. Then they should be ok. They are just blowing off steam. Cold weather seems to give them extra energy. How old is your filly?

Well there are allot of reasons really, and mind you this only what i have observed with my own horses and others that I have trained. So these are my opinions but I believe them to be accurate. There are multiple factors in the winter time or in colder weather conditions get frisky as phantom said, it is also possible that they are a bit spooky. First consider the weather conditions its cold so there is less humidity in the air and with less humidity sound has less of a barrier to travel through. A horses sense of hearing is awesome they can here for miles with noises being carried on even the slightest breeze. So they may be hearing things they have not heard before or are not used to. The best way I have found to overcome this is simple ground work and desensitizing, the dually halter is great for this training. I do this often with my horses especially when I see them react to a new monster ( or a monster at least to them). Another reason for this behavior in the cold is the natural one of course they are being more active to keep themselves warm. This is completely normal, horses burn a ton of energy to keep themselves warm in cold weather even when standing still their muscles are in overdrive to generate heat. Then allot of times they just have a ton of extra energy to burn off and in cooler tempatures they just all out seem to feel good and being frisky is how they show it. Again absolutely nothing wrong with this, I do however see this has being an issue when you want to ride. This is where teaching the horse comes in of course in a manner in which the horse wants to learn. Ground work is imperative for both the horse and rider. and like all things it takes time there is never an instant fix. This is where having controll of the horses feet and movement is most important, and the confidence of the rider as well. A horse can since when you are even a bit afraid and that fear will carry to how the horse reacts. I understand entirely that it can be frighting when you see a horse that you are getting ready to ride being frisky and running,rearing, even bucking through a field because they feel good. this is all natural and nothing to fear what it comes down to in a case like this is how much training has the horse had and how much experience does the horse have. A well trained experienced horse will do these things without saddle but using my horses as example one being a 10 year old american quarter gelding with nine and a half years experience and training, once under saddle never attempts any of the prementioned behavior while under saddle. Another 6 year old throughbred gelding with only 2 years experience is the same under saddle so it comes down to ride time traing and the horses experience. (my throughbred is also nearly 18 hands and I am the only one capable of riding him in my family because I am the only one that is not afraid of him fear is a big factor) And of course the rider confidence. The best suggestion I can give you is incremental training, ground work, riding work, desensitizing, and just continue the incremental work until both the horse and you are comfortable and confident. And when you are confident your horse will reflect this then attempt a short ride in the colder weather, and continue incrementally training, make the rides a little longer each time this will build your confidence and your horses every single time. I also recommend spending leisure time with your horses for example I go into the pasture with my horses with a chair and I just sit out there with them watching them and usually reading a book but I get to know their individual personalities very well and 99.9% of the time when I am out there my horse stand right next to me or eat next to me or even lay down from time to time just to be near me. I know this may seem a bit strange but its how I do things and I build very strong relationships with my horses. There is a saying "A Horse doesn't care how much you know until He/She knows how much you care" and I believe it". I apologize for writing a book here I could go on forever probably but I won't. I will say give it some time get to know your filly, you said this is the first winter with her. So spend some time with her get to know her personalitiy work with her of course, Monty has excellant training videos at your disposal here, I have know idea which ones you have been through but the spooky horse ones and phobia ones will help you out with the desensitizing, the 6 imparatives for riding as well and all the riding ones its all about having controll of the horses feet and the movement, and of course the dually halter training. And of course standing still. All of my horses no matter how frisky they are feeling once the halter goes on it is stand at attention for them and thats when I know they are ready and willing to go for a ride. There are many lessons that can be used here but thats a start and I hope this helps. My last recommendation in this book I have written again i apologize for that, but I suggest observing your horse look at their ears their body langauge see what they ar listening to what might be making them spooky or frisky in different weather conditions, and work from there the biggest point I am trying to make here is through observation of your horse understanding what the horses needs are and train accordingly and in increments this is paramont and before you know it both your horse and you will have uncomprimised confidence and be riding free anytime you want. I hope this book of mine was helpful in some way.
Thanks for Reading
DC

Excellent!

Thank you, DC, this is really helpful. I will read your "book" more often. You are right it all burns down to me not being as confident as I need to become.

Your very welcome of course, Confidence is always a building process its never ending for both you and the horse. Same as learning you never stop learning and neither do horses. Everything takes time especially with a new horse. So certainly don't take me the wrong way I sure wasn't trying to say you weren't cofident I was just goin off my own observations and experiences. But the way I see it is confidence same as learning are a ongoing process that will never end. Training is key to that for both you and the horse along with your bond with horse which grows over time.

Funny Sory of my own, I recently got a new mare pretty little thing rides well mostly but is still very green. Likes to throw her head and try to buck and rear at times. I noticed she only really trys this when there is a decent wind about so I ask my self what is she is hearing on the wind to make her act like this. Anyway back to the story now all my horses love water we run in to creeks, lakes and ponds all the time. But AJ absolutely LOVES water didn't not know how much until one day me and an ex were out for a ride she was on AJ. We came up to a pond to water em a bit and AJ start to stop and play in the water spraying it every where. Then she moved forward into the pond a bit and proceed to roll in the shallows. It was quite hilarious no one was hurt so it was very funny. And now that she is an ex its even funnier. But it is something that I have to train out of her its a new one for me never had to train a horse not to roll in water before but it is what it is. Understandably this could be a dangerous situation so only experienced riders are allowed on her for now and she doesnt go to ponds or creeks with anyone but me for the time being.