|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
| T.E.S. WINTER TIPS |
| |
Horses and Hot Weather
by Dr. David Ramey, DVM
|
| |
Blankets -- There is an easy rule of thumb for when to blanket horses: If it is cold enough for a person to need a jacket, it's cold enough for a horse to need a blanket. We blanket our horses in the winter, so please plan to take some extra time for blanketing--unblanket if you are first student to ride in the morning and blanket your horse if you are the last student to ride him at night. You'll find that we have several different types of blankets--all fasten in the front with either a buckle or plastic tab, but some have straps that criss-cross under the horse's belly, some go straight across under the belly and some have straps that fasten around the horse's hind legs. Please ask a working student or instructor if you are not sure of how to put on the blanket. Always halter your horse when you are putting on a blanket.
Hot Horses and Cold Weather -- We body clip our horses in the winter so that they cool off more quickly in colder weather and don't get too hot under their blankets. Horses can get over-heated even in cold weather, so you need to make sure that the horse you've just ridden is cooled off before you put him back in the stall. The sweat on his back and chest (which is normally a cooling mechanism in warmer weather) can now give him a deadly chill if it is ignored. Ask your instructor to show you how to tell if a horse is too hot to put away. If it is, be sure to walk him around the parking lot until he is dry and cool. Never blanket a horse that has not been properly cooled down after a lesson.
Horses and Mud -- What would winter be at T.E.S. without mud? Horses get mud on their legs, mud on their bellies and mud packed in their feet. During your untacking routine, make a special effort to remove all mud from their feet. The arenas have a special mixture of footing that, while being easy on their legs and feet, unfortunately turns cement-like in their hooves after it dries. If you have trouble removing this dried mud, please ask a working student to help you.
Use a brush to gently remove as much mud from your horse's legs as you can, or if buckets of warm water and sponges are provided by the working students, have them show you the proper way to sponge off the mud. If mud is left on their legs, they can become susceptible to ailments such as scratches--and the working students will become susceptible to back aches if they have to brush off 120 legs before they go home! Don't forget to remove the mud from the less obvious places, such as under the belly and chest, by using a soft brush to remove the splatters.
|
Cold Weather Attire -- Layer your clothing so you can wear less while riding and wear more after riding to prevent a chill. Put a raincoat in your car, so that you can stay dry in your lessons on those days of intermittent cloud bursts, especially if your class needs to walk to and from the Equidome. Inexpensive rubber riding boots are also a great investment for muddy weather. Dominion Saddlery, on the LAEC grounds, usually give 15% discount during it's Holiday Open House.
Rainy Day Schedules -- Always assume that we will be conducting our lessons, even if it is raining. If the outside arenas are not usable, we are often able to use the Equidome. If in doubt about your lesson, please call the T.E.S. office at (818) 569-3666. You are responsible for calling to cancel your lesson if you choose not to ride during rainy weather.
|
| |
| Return to EQ Interactive Index |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
