The warmer weather has arrived and with it comes more rain and MUD! Be sure you have what you need to properly care for the horses and make the most of the season!!
- Plan to arrive at least 30min early for your lesson so you have time to clean your horse properly. Pay special attention to areas where the tack sits, especially the girth area.
- Keep 1-2 old towels in your grooming bag to clean legs/mud and a bag to put them in so you can bring them home and wash them after each use.
- Always clean and towel dry your horse's legs with special attention to the heels. When horse's heels are left wet the skin cracks and they can get terrible leg infections that require veterinary care.
- Rubber Boots and a bag to put them in so that your riding boots don't get too muddy!
- Treat Your Horse for Thrush as a preventative/maintain their hooves. If you don't know how, please ask your coach or a barn staff to teach you. We have thrush treatment in the tack-up area.
- You can add Bag Balm or Vaseline to your grooming kit and apply it to your horse's heels after a ride when they are clean and dry. When applied to heels before turning out, it creates a protective barrier to help prevent your horse from getting mud fever.
- Baby wipes are a great addition to your grooming kit so you can easily wipe your hands if they get muddy! They can also be used gently around your horses eyes, nose, etc.
- Avoid wearing fleece jackets as it's shedding season and horse hair loves to stick to fleece clothing.
- Use the shedding blades! We have added shedding blades to all the grooming kits in the tack-up area - you will need them! Shed out your horse before and after each ride and be sure to brush off the hair that is on the underside of your saddle pad, and sweep up all the loose hair when you’re done!
See you in the barn!
Your Raynham Team
