The Pumpkin Spiced Horse Exists

 

Pumpkin spice is not just some seasonal flavor – it’s an actual horse phenomenon that most horses get around the same time of year. Related to the cold weather friskies, the pumpkin spiced horse has a renewed zest that sometimes runs amok. Expect many shenanigans. Sometimes with a side of tomfoolery.

 

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Signs of the pumpkin spiced horse:

 

Giant eyes. You may even see the whites of your horse’s eyes, technically known as sclera and indicative of actual monsters in the distance.

 

Ears so close together they touch. When your horse is focused on something real (or imaginary), his ears must touch to channel his brain in only that direction.

 

The high flying tail. If you don’t own an Arabian, your horse may want to suddenly become one. If you do own an Arabian, he may be pumpkin spiced all year long.

 

Flared nostrils. Nothing says “I can smell what is about to eat me” quite like gigantic nostrils. If the flared nostrils suddenly start snorting out like a fire breathing dragon, look out.

Resemblance to a kite. Horses that are pumpkin spiced also spend some time with many (or all) of their legs above the ground. Punching the air with front legs and bucking are common sights.

 

Height similar to a giraffe. During the rest of the year, many of us work to have our horse’s withers and backs lift. During the pumpkin spiced time of year, we often must reverse our goals.

 

 

 

So what do you do with the pumpkin spiced horse? Videos are always fun, as is watching from a distance. Some tips for dealing with this phenomena:

• Exercise! Pumpkin spiced horses need an outlet for their “condition”.

 

• Turn out! Horses with the pumpkin spice sometimes need to “get it out” on their own, as long as you can make this as safe as possible. Use protective leg gear, like boots, and bell boots to protect heel bulbs and shoes. You can also try turn out after a ride, when maybe the spice is a little less. Safe turnout tips can be found here!

 

• Blankets! Many horses that are pumpkin spiced are just plain cold. Since I have yet to meet a horse that can dress himself, toss on a blanket so he doesn’t need to move around so much and generate his own heat.

 

• Give the pumpkin spiced horse some food! Horses heat up from the inside when they eat forage – so extra hay (for brain stimulating and heat producing benefits) can help alleviate the spicy-ness.

 

• Be careful! Use proper handling techniques. Make sure your horse knows how to walk like a civilized creature. Note – the time to train this is not when he’s pumpkin and spiced. It’s every single other day of the year.

 

Does your horse get pumpkin spiced in the fall?

 

 

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