Summer Heat Reminders

As the temperatures rise, proper after-ride care becomes especially important for the comfort, safety, and recovery of our horses. Lessons will be modified or shortened during extreme heat for the safety of both horses and riders. Please remember to bring LOTS of water, wear sunscreen and ask your instructor for breaks if you are feeling the heat. 

After your lesson, please take a few extra moments to cool down and care for your horse properly:

1. Proper Cool Down
Always allow your horse to walk on a loose rein for several minutes after your ride. This helps bring their heart rate and breathing back to normal and prevents stiffness.

2. Untack Promptly
After you dismount, untack immediately so you can get to the wash stalls as quickly as possible. You should be in the wash stalls and hosing down within 5 minutes max after dismounting. 

3. Hose & Repeat
On hot days, horses will need to be hosed off repeatedly until their body temperature returns to normal. Focus on their large muscle groups (neck, chest, shoulders, and between the hind legs). Once they feel cool to the touch, graze or hand walk for a few minutes and then recheck their temperature - if they have heated back up, repeat hosing and walking until they remain cool to the touch. 

4. Wait to Feed
Horses that need feed must be thoroughly cooled out before feeding to avoid colic. If you are short on time, please ask the tack-up-help if they can supervise your horse eating so you can leave - do not feed them while they are still hot. 

If you have any questions, please ask one of our staff! We appreciate your support in keeping the horses safe and happy during the hot summer months.

Spring Schooling Show Start Times!

Hello Raynham Riders!

With the beautiful weather comes the start times for this weekend's schooling show! 

Spring Schooling Show Start Times

For the combined test divisions, riders should be in the warm-up 20 minutes prior to your dressage time, and 10 minutes before show jumping (since your horse will already be warmed up from dressage). For the equitation divisions (Novice, Pre-Novice, and Introductory), there are warm-up times included in the start times.

Here's everything you need to know:

• The SHOW OFFICE will be in the house office around the back of the farmhouse (by the chicken coop)

• Payment: Cash or cheque to the secretary on the morning of the show, or e-transfer.

• Attire: Show Team Riders should *ideally* dress/prepare their horse as if it were a regular off-property show (full show attire & braid). New show riders may not have all their show gear yet - that's totally fine, just dress neatly!

• Spectators: Are more than welcome, but please stay out of the barns and tack-up area - it will be busy enough without extra bodies!

• Dogs: As much as we love dogs, please leave them at home as it will be busy!

• Food: We will have food available for purchase - coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, pop, muffins, cookies, chips, chilli, hot dogs, and walking taco for lunch! Concessions will be CASH only.

Please let us know if you have any other questions! We are looking forward to a fun show on Saturday!

Gabby

Friday, March 13th - LESSONS CANCELLED

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Well, we made it almost a month without another inclement weather cancellation but we couldn’t quite  finish the session without another reminder that we live in Canada! They are calling for a LOT of snow today in the afternoon and during the evening commute so we have unfortunately decided to cancel lessons. 

Riders are welcome to schedule a makeup during our make up days, tomorrow through Tuesday. Here is the link to book a time. If you cannot book a time over the next few days, we will extend makeups from today into the next session. 

If you have to go out on the roads today, stay safe!

Nikki 

Wednesday February 18 - LESSONS CANCELLED

Hello everyone,

Unfortunately, we will have to cancel lessons again today. The weather is quite unpleasant and is going to continue well into the evening, so best to keep everyone safe and warm!

Stay tuned to your email inbox as we are working hard on opening even more makeup lesson spots in the coming weeks. 

Stay safe,

Gabby

Sunday, February 8th - LESSONS CANCELLED

 Hey Raynham Riders,

Unfortunately, the forecast for tomorrow is very cold again so we are cancelling lessons. Thankfully, the long range forecast looks promising! 

Stay warm tomorrow!

Nikki 

Saturday, February 7 - LESSONS CANCELLED

As it is currently -21c outside and not expected to warm up significantly, sadly lessons are cancelled again today. Stay tuned for an email blast today with options for rescheduling. Stay warm and safe today.

Sunday, February 1 - Lessons ARE running

Hey Raynham Riders,

With warmer temperatures finally on the way, we’ll be running classes starting at noon on Sunday, February 1.

Because the morning will still be quite chilly, the 10:00 a.m. class will run at 12:00 p.m., and the 11:00 a.m. class will run at 1:00 p.m.

As the weather continues to improve, we’ll be adding additional make-up class times. New dates will be shared here and in the WhatsApp group as they become available. Any last-minute cancellations will also continue to be posted in WhatsApp.

It feels safe to say we’ve already broken our record for winter weather cancellations—and January has only just ended! We know rescheduling can be a bit of a hassle, so we truly appreciate everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding. This winter has been a challenging one, and your cooperation has made a big difference.

Thank you, as always, for being such a great community! 

Nikki