Cooling Your Horse. Baker Sweepstakes Included!

One of my BIGGEST pet peeves at the barn is observing other riders who don’t take the time to properly care for their tack or horse AFTER EACH RIDE.  These processes are even more important in the winter as a horse’s health can be impacted if not put up properly.  When you are making plans to exercise your horse or take a lesson, it is necessary to factor the time to properly perform these activities. Even if you have the luxury to be in a full service program with grooms, I am of the opinion that is your responsibility to start the cooling out process by walking your horse out. This is just solid horsemanship.

Here are some basic guidelines adapted from Equus Magazine to breakdown your winter routine: 

1) Putting your horse away hot and sweaty will jeopardize his health by allowing him to catch a chill. Even in the coldest of weather, the horse's metabolism (the burning of internal fuels to produce energy) will cause him to sweat during intense exercise. A full winter coat can exaggerate this sweating. For this reason, many horse owners choose to clip their horses in winter.

2) To cool your horse safely, you can begin while you're still riding. Following your ride or work out, walking him for ten to fifteen minutes will allow the heat built up in the muscles to dissipate.

3) Once you've dismounted, loosen the girth, but don't remove the saddle immediately as this will allow cold air to the muscles of his back and may cause cramping. Cover him with a cooler, which may be wool or one of the more high-tech fabrics designed to wick moisture from the horse and cool him out quicker.

Walk him for a few minutes and then remove the saddle and replace the cooler before continuing to walk him. Rubbing vigorously with a dry towel also helps speed up the drying process.

I use both wool and fleece cooler to properly cool out my horses.  The benefit I find with fleece is that it is easy to wash.

4) Check him frequently to make sure he is drying and cooling properly. If he has worked hard, you can allow him to drink cool water (not cold) to rehydrate him.

5) Once you are satisfied that his temperature has returned to normal and his coat is dry, you can blanket him with a clean, dry blanket (if you routinely blanket in winter) or put him away without a blanket.

NOTE:  If he hasn't returned to normal after an hour, he may be suffering from tying-up or other serious condition and you should consult your veterinarian. – 

Source: http://equusmagazine.com 

IT IS CONTEST TIME

ENTER TO WIN A FREE 5/A FLEECE BAKER DRESS SHEET

At K.M. Thornton & Co., we aspire to perpetuate the principles we believe in. We recognize nice coolers are costly and therefore our sweepstakes promotion offered this Autumn is a chance to win a FREE Baker™ Fleece Dress Sheet from 5/A Baker Products, Inc.   Wickable, breathable and machine washable, the Baker Fleece Dress Sheet is made from a super soft double-brushed fleece in Baker's traditional and classic plaid. 

To enter, please visit the K.M. Thornton & Co. llc Facebook Fan page and go to the "Sweepstakes" tab, or CLICK HERE.