In much of the country, consistent winter riding is not a possibility unless you have an indoor riding arena or are a very hearty sort.
For many of us who are used to spending time outdoors on a daily basis with our horses, this season can feel quite un-productive…but does not need to be.
Here are a few suggestions to staying productive during the winter months.
This is a great time to thoroughly clean all equipment, feeding the clean leather with a coat of conditioner or oil to prevent cracking and/or mold that is very difficult to eradicate. If you have synthetic equipment, it too benefits from a thorough cleaning. As you clean, check for any stitching breakdown, cracks, or metal fatique. Billets & girths need a careful inspection of all buckles, elastic, stitching for signs of wear. Most saddle repair shops have quicker turn around in the winter which will save you downtime during the peak riding seasons. Don’t forget to clean & condition your gloves & chaps too!!
Take your saddle pads home for a complete vacuuming before throwing into the wash. Wash- in conditioners for cotton & wool pads are available through most tack catalogues & shops. Saddle pads that have been neglected during the winter leaving hair, dirt & sweat to clog the fibers, break down the materials, shortening the life of the pad. A stiff, dirty pad will also negatively affect saddle fit. Give all pads the once over for worn/stressed spots, stitching breakdown or binding fatique.
Take a few minutes when you visit your horse to groom with a “Grooma” mitt or rubber curry to stimulate the skin which often suffers in the winter months under blankets or a heavy coat. Also makes for quality bonding time. Mine love to be vacummed daily during this time.
Even if you can’t ride consistently, you can still keep your horse supple & mentally engaged by using some of the TTEAM, Connect Riding, or “Horse Yoga” exercises for 10-15 minutes a few times a week. My horses’ love the “carrot stretchs” that many of these methods employ. This can go along way to enhance the bond you have with your equine friends as well as keeping them (& yourself) mentally & pyhsically stimulated during the down times.
For yourself, explore some of the many yoga or Pilates DVD’s available for riders so you stay in shape through the winter months as well.
Also see my “sister” site:www:healingessences.com for nutritional tips that will keep you slim & healthy through to Spring.
Happy Trails!!
Kaaren
TIPS TO MAKE SHEDDING SEASON SIMPLE
With Spring almost upon us, our equine friends are starting to lose their winter coats by the bagful.
By using a few simple steps, shedding season does not have to be a hassle.
I have found the “Mars” Triple Wide grooming tool available through the “Groomer’s Mall”, makes the job a whole lot easier for both me & my 2 very hairy Icelandic Horses.
First I “suit up” in a light weight rainslicker, rain pants tucked into rain boots, covering my nose & mouth with a light weight hospital mask..and don big sun glasses…and a baseball cap. This way I stay clean & don’t inhale any of those pesky little shed hairs that seem to find their way into the strangest places. When I’m done I can either hose my stuff off or just throw everything into the washer after a good shake.
Then I slide the Mars Triple Wide over the horses (legs & face included) and watch the hair glide off. The horses love it & since I can do one whole Icelandic in 30 minutes..I do too.
Vacuuming the horses or brushing with a stiff brush after using the shedding tool helps to get rid of the residual small hairs & winter coat dirt preventing “the itch” for my horses.
During this time, I make sure my horses have a Himalayan Salt Lick and Advanced Biological Concepts Free Choice Minerals to give them what they need to assist the metabolic process of shedding.
With the temps swinging widely in many areas, it never hurts to add a daily pro-biotic like Advanced Biological Concepts “ABC Plus” to help balance intestinal flora. Giving a bunch of fresh dandelion greens to your horse a few times a week is a tasty treat that will also assist the liver & kidneys to detox gently. It’s especially nice for horses that don’t have daily access to the fresh greens of a pasture.
Stay tuned for next months “Spring Cleaning” Tips.
Happy Trails…Kaaren