After The Ride - Do You Turn Your Horse Out To Pasture Drenched in Sweat
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My daughter just moved away from home a few weeks ago. Of course, I’ve been doing the mom thing, worrying about how she is settling in her new home and job. She called me a few days ago, and the first thing she said in a very shaky voice was, “Oh mom! I’m so upset!” My mom radar turned on full blast, as my mind raced to anticipate what the upset might be. “I had a riding lesson this evening. You know how hot it is. And the horses in the lesson were all drenched in sweat when we finished. The instructor just had us take the tack off and turn the horses out in the pasture!”
Why was this so alarming and upsetting to her? Long distance riding was a big part of my daughter’s life, as it has been of mine. Distance riders go to great lengths to make sure their horses are comfortable and rested. They do, after all, work very hard for us. So we learn to take very good care, while preparing to ride, in the saddle, and after the ride is done. Turning a horse out, without sponging off the sweat and helping it cool down, even a bit, is simply not done. And distance riders offer their horses a drink of water at every opportunity. Yes, a horse will survive covered in its own sweat. Perhaps, there was a stream or trough out of sight where the horses could get a drink. Horses probably don’t regard being covered in dirt and sweat in the same way we do. However, heat stroke and dehydration are real possibilities, especially when the temperatures reach the high eighties and nineties(30C+).
So how do you look after your horse after a ride? Here’s one way distance riders do it. If you’ve been working hard, walk the horse a bit and then dismount. If you’ve been relaxing and walking anyway, simply dismount. As soon as your feet hit the ground, loosen the cinch or girth, letting your horse get a deep breath and know its job is done. Some people like to leave the saddle on for a bit, some take it off right away. If you leave your English saddle on, run the stirrups up. Running the stirrups up is safer because you won’t have a hard iron object flinging around if your horse spooks or bolts beside you. They’re also less likely to catch on things like door and gate handles. Walk the horse until it’s breathing and heart rate are close to normal. How long it takes will depend on how fit your horse is and how hard you’ve been working. If you haven’t already, remove the saddle. (You might want to rinse out your saddle pad or blanket, and hang it where it will dry.)
If your horse just has sweat under the saddle area, sponge this away with cool (not freezing cold water). If your horse is drenched, consider hosing or sponging its legs and body. This will remove the sweat and help cool your horse’s body temperature. Start from the ground up, being sure to sponge or hose the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs and under the stomach. Some people like to use a sweat scraper to remove excess water, but in hot weather, your horse will dry quickly anyway. Finish by sponging away sweat marks around the face and ears.
Don’t forget to pick out your horse’s hooves, offer it water and of course, a treat. Your horse will be clean and cooled, and happier to see you next time you come for a ride.
Image Credit: © Beatrice Preve | Dreamstime.com |
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