It seems like it’s been a long winter, and as the weather warms up, that means more time to spend outside. But more importantly, it’s time to saddle up and ride!
But are you sure your horse is ready to hit the arena or trail?
Call for Backup
To make sure your horse is in optimum health for a ride this summer, you need to bring out your veterinarian and farrier for health and hoof evaluations. Ideally, your veterinarian should see your horse twice a year, which allows for checkups on your horse’s overall health, teeth and provides you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have concerning nutrition or any other health issues.
- A solid ride comes from the ground up…or, rather, the hooves up. Getting a farrier to trim your horse’s feet on a regular basis will keep his hooves healthy and work to prevent any potential lameness issues that can occur from improper hoof care. Be sure you discuss your plans for the year with your farrier and do your best to set a schedule to keep on track.
- If you plan on traveling, whether for trail rides or competitions, this is the perfect time for your annual Coggins test. A Coggins test is a blood test that is used to identify if a horse is a carrier of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), which is a viral and potentially deadly disease found in horses. A negative test is required for any interstate travel or lodging at most equine facilities.
- Your veterinarian should perform a routine dental exam to see how your horse’s teeth wearing over time. Typically, a routine dental float is all that’s needed.
4. The twice-a-year standard for veterinarian visits is set by the time that vaccinations are needed for your horse. These vary with your location, but spring immunizations usually include:
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- Eastern and Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE and WEE)
- Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 and EHV-4)
- Equine Influenza
- Tetanus
- West Nile Virus
- Rabies
Do-It-Yourself Preparation
The rest of your ride-ready prep can be done without the help of the experts. While it may mean investing more time at the barn, it's the best way to reconnect with your horse, which is the most important part of preparing for a long season of riding.
- As your horse starts shedding, spend more time grooming him. This will help loosen up the dead hair for quicker release, as well as invigorate the oils in the skin to return your horse’s coat to a healthy shine.
- When it’s warm enough (if you do not have an indoor wash rack with warm water), give your horse a complete scrub down using medicated shampoo for the lower legs and intensive conditioner for the mane and tail. Rinse thoroughly so the shampoo doesn’t dry on the skin, thus causing itchiness and discomfort.
- Check daily for any skin issues, such as rain rot (if your weather is particularly rainy), ringworm, scratches or bot eggs laid in the leg hairs. If you have any concerns about caring for those spots or how to prevent, contact your veterinarian for assistance.
4. Look at your tack room: Has everything been sitting out through the winter, collecting dust and mildew? Spend a day thoroughly cleaning your tack room, tack and all of your grooming tools. Check for any issues with your saddle and bridles such as tears, breaks or missing screws.
Get Ready to Ride
Now that your horse has passed any health inspections and your tack is ready for use, it's time to saddle up! Just a few more steps before you’re ready for a season of fresh air and fun with your horse.
- Start slow. If you haven't ridden throughout the winter, just remember how it feels when you go to the gym for the first time in months—the next day you're going to be sore. The same goes for your horse. Plan out your rides early if you have a goal coming up, so your horse (and you) can spend more time under saddle and build up strength and stamina.
- Proper warmups and cooldowns are key to keeping away any potential injuries, so take the time to warm up your horse with simple walking exercises, stretches and light trotting/jogging.
- Using proper support gear, such as Tough1's Max Sport Boots, can help to prevent strains, while using therapy products such as Tough1’s ceramic, magnetic or ice therapies before and after can help your horse feel more comfortable after your rides.
- Don't forget why we ride and do what we do at the barn: Keep it fun for you and your horse. If you routinely ride in an arena, try to ride in different locations (when you're ready) to offer a change in view. Keep your expectations in check and enjoy the ride.
As always, if you’re in need of new tack or equipment for the barn, check your favorite Tough1 dealer for quality products to help you kickstart your riding season.
