| Summer is an excellent time to ride. The weather is | | | | room should be left. Grooming For Health And |
| beautiful, show season is in full swing, and everyone | | | | Comfort |
| wants to come out and see your horse. Of course, | | | | Grooming in summer helps remove insect eggs and |
| it's also about 100 degrees outside, the shade is | | | | larvae, as well as dust, dirt, and dead skin cells. A |
| nonexistent, and no one remembered to bring water. | | | | good, stiff currying can remove potential problems |
| It can be fun. It can also be deadly. Equestrians can | | | | before they get started, and your mount will love |
| follow some basic rules to prevent disaster, enabling | | | | you all the more. Hoof care is more important than |
| them to enjoy their horse in hot weather without | | | | ever in summer as, in our attempt to keep our |
| undue risk or hardship. | | | | animals cool, we are tempted to leave them standing |
| Most animals will maintain proper hydration, given the | | | | in water more often than we should. Stalls, corrals, |
| opportunity. People must make a point of carrying | | | | pastures, and arenas must be kept dry, and hooves |
| and drinking water regularly in order to stay hydrated. | | | | must be cleaned out frequently to avoid fungal |
| Animals shed their winter coats; we must follow suit | | | | infections. Wash racks must also be allowed to dry |
| by using lighter horse riding apparel. We should also | | | | out completely to prevent thrush and other forms of |
| use lightweight horse tack to allow our mount's | | | | foot rot. |
| natural cooling system to function properly. Riding in | | | | Eating And Drinking Properly For Summer Fun |
| the early morning, instead of in the middle of the | | | | Summer heat often robs us of our appetites, leading |
| afternoon, is another way to stay safe and | | | | to low blood sugar. Low blood sugar can result in |
| comfortable this season. | | | | poor judgment and uncharacteristic emotional |
| The Proper Horse Riding Apparel For Hot Weather | | | | outbursts, neither of which is good or safe. As much |
| Yes, it's hot - but shorts and flip-flops are not | | | | as we love them, animals of this size can cause |
| acceptable around the barn. Riders should still wear | | | | serious injury without even trying. Even more |
| paddock boots, some type of breeches, an | | | | important than food, dehydration can sneak up on a |
| appropriate shirt, and an ASTM/SEI certified riding | | | | rider before they even realize they are thirsty. |
| helmet. Hot weather horse riding apparel is made | | | | Humans lack an effective thirst response. More often, |
| from lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick away | | | | you will crave protein or carbohydrates when your |
| moisture, helping the body to stay cool. Lighter colors | | | | body actually needs water. Riding in summer is |
| reflect the sunlight, making them cooler than darker | | | | physically demanding, and you should consume at |
| colors. While a tank top may seem appealing, a nasty | | | | least a full gallon of water each day. Only by carrying |
| sunburn is all it takes to learn the value of a | | | | water with you and sipping regularly can riders be |
| long-sleeved cotton riding shirt. This horse riding | | | | sure of staying properly hydrated. |
| apparel allows you to move freely while staying as | | | | Common sense is your best friend when it comes to |
| cool as possible. | | | | riding in hot weather. Get to the barn early in the |
| Horse Tack For Hot Weather Riding | | | | morning and enjoy the cool air. Stay in the shade |
| Using lightweight horse tack is another way to help | | | | whenever possible and be sure to keep sipping away |
| them stay cool and safe during hot weather. There | | | | at your water, Gatorade, fruit juice, or other |
| are two major opinions when it comes to saddle | | | | appropriate beverage. Make frequent stops at the |
| pads in hot weather. Some say thinner is better as | | | | water bucket or trough, and dress in light colored, |
| they dry faster. Others claim thicker fleece saddle | | | | lightweight horse riding apparel. Keep horse tack to a |
| pads are better as they provide better protection. | | | | minimum and be aware of the signs of dehydration. |
| Whichever seems to work better for you, it is | | | | The nicest weather in the world won't do you any |
| important to keep it clean and dry to protect both | | | | good if you end up spending your summer vacation |
| the animal and saddle. If you have a lighter English | | | | in the hospital or working a second job to pay vet |
| saddle, this is the time to use it. Even a couple of | | | | bills. Stay hydrated, stay in the shade, dress yourself |
| pounds less can make a big difference in the heat's | | | | and your mount appropriately, and know your limits in |
| intensity. Any horse tack that can be left in the tack | | | | order to enjoy a summer of equestrian fun. |