A Horse Owners Guide to Surviving Spring

 

With February leaving us feeling as if Spring has already sprung, here’s our horse owners guide to surviving spring … so buckle up and hold on tight!

1. It’s time to hold your horses, no literally take a hold of your horses (or horse) as it’s that time of year your dope on a rope turns their hand to piaffe and/or pirouette type dressage moves, as we make our way to and from the field in glorious style.
2. Horse riding is undoubtedly such fun at this time of the year, again our new dressage superstars may try to reenact said turnout moves in the school, so it’s time to check our horse riding gear is a) still safe and b) up to current safety standards.
3. Buy face masks (for you, not the horse) in bulk as your horse sheds ‘the’ winter coat in an almost ‘go big or go home’ type motion. Prepare to be amazed at how much coat the horse actually has, as no matter how many years you’ve had him or her for, each year you seem to forget how much is really there.
4. On the subject of face masks, it’s time to pull out fly rugs, nose shields and other accessories (now we mean for the horse) to make sure all are in good working order. A comfortable horse, is a happy horse!
5. Now is the time to prepare your horse’s skin if he, or she, suffers from Sweet Itch. Starting now will help prevent your horse from suffering and will save hours of trying to bath, or treat, irritated skin. Take a look at our guide to sweet itch and our product review for great advice on where to start.
6. Bog, beware! As the winter gateways start to dry up mud becomes more like cement so it’s time to move them forward, or back, to dryer ground so you don’t get stuck in the mud … literally.
7. Beware of sugar intake! Not the horse, you … you’ll be needing to be nimble and fit to be able to ride like Charlotte Dujardin, or Ross Canter, so it’s time to ditch the choccy and tuck into a salad (as we type with a bottle of Pepsi on our desk).
8. On the matter of sugar, turning our attention to the horse, it may be time to consider moving over to hay (if you’ve been feeding haylage) to reduce unwanted energy levels.
9. Make the most of the break in the usual winter conditions and dig out a deep litter bed (again make use of those face masks) to give the corners, walls and floors a good clean. Not only is it more hygienic for the horse but it also works wonders on bingo wings, ups the endorphins and makes for a happy horsey home … just watch your back!
10. Need a holiday? We do, that’s for sure! Why not consider booking a super riding holiday where you can relax, soak up some sun and enjoy beautiful views on horseback. We all need something to look forward to.
11. If you haven’t already, revisit your worming programme. Get together with other horse owners on the yard to consider buying worm counts to evaluate your horse’s ‘state of play’.
12. Vaccinations, with the recent Equine Influenza (or equine flu) outbreak it’s time to pick up your horse’s passport and check when vaccinations are due.
13. A spring (well almost spring) health check never goes amiss. Horses change shape throughout the year depending on work, feed, and age etc. Pull out the saddle, bridle and other riding accessories to check for wear and tear alongside assessing fit. Teeth should also be top on the agenda and if your horse is returning to work after a break, now is a good time to call the Phsyio and/or Chiro for a once over.
14. And last, but by no means least, strengthen your bond with your horse by spending time with him or her. Spend an hour grooming, practice some stretching in the school or take it back to the basics with some join up. By doing this you’ll reduce yours and your horse’s stress levels and potentially pick up on anything that’s not quite right, so we can enter the summer feeling our happy and healthy best (human and horse).

And the list goes on …