We’ve done it, well almost. Here we head up the top 10 things horse owners will be busy doing now it’s spring (and yes, that includes us!) …
- Dig out the saddle, bridle and tendon boots as plans are made for the horse to be fit enough to compete at Badminton Horse Trials in the next six weeks….
- Arrive down the yard in a T-shirt (with short sleeves) before realising it’s not quite warm enough and they didn’t pack their coat
- Remove rugs and turnout the horse, smiles then turn to frowns as horses find the nearest muddy patch in the field and role in it.
- The rider becomes the horse as the shedding season begins and all winter coat transfers from horse to owner during mammoth grooming sessions
- Cleaning all tack to within an inch of its life not to touch it again all summer
- Dig out the lightweight rug to realise it was never repaired after their horse performed a houdini trick in removing it last time it was on
- Apply all new matching bandages, saddle cloths and fly veils to go out hacking, leaving the yard looking like Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, returning looking like a Rhino as those bridle path’s aren’t that dry yet… (remember the hi-vis!!)
- Perform ‘risk-it-all’ procedures just to turn out overly fresh horses and ponies
- Getting stuck in partially drying mud pits having let the horse go, as the ground near the field gate starts to dry out, thus leaving wellies in situ and hopping back to the stable yard
- Bank balances increase!!
