Getting your horse ready for summer!

 

For most folks, summer means beach vacations, no school, and longer days. For horse folks, it means bugs, horse shows, and longer days. Now is the time to start preparing your horse for the summer, so that everyone is comfortable and your show weekends can go smoothly!

 

Here’s a list of things I like to do to get the horses ready for summer:

 

• The next rotation of deworming is probably due! Check with your Veterinarian for an appropriate worming schedule for your climate and area. Many Veterinarians are now suggesting targeted deworming and fecal egg counts. You can do a fecal egg count easily by using a kit to mail off.

 

• Clip! I don’t mean body clip, but it’s a good idea to get into the habit of clipping ears, bridle paths, legs, etc. This makes getting ready for a show easy, and if you keep your horse clipped up, the better he will tolerate the clippers. Or skip the clipping if you like.

 

• Now is also a great time to shorten that mane, bang that tail, and start to practice your braiding!

 

• Check your fly sheet and fly mask fit. I also use fly boots to reduce the amount of stomping that goes on. I have two sets, just in case of an accidental tear or when one set is in the laundry. Fly sheet fit is critical to be safe and stay protected from the bugs.

 

• What’s your bug control plan for the summer? Now is the time to start fighting flies and critters.

 

• What are you doing for sunscreen for your horse? A fly mask with nose is a good idea, so is some zinc oxide cream on his nose. The baby versions of sunscreen seem to have tons more zinc oxide and I find they last longer.

 

• Are you taking steps to prevent your horse from getting sun bleached? Sun bleaching can be helped with diet and some horse management ideas and even specialized shampoos.

 

• You may want to do a diet analysis with the help of a Veterinarian or Equine Nutritionist. Pasture conditions change, metabolic changes can flare during seasonal changes, and you want to make sure he has the proper nutrition to get you through the show season!

 

Fly season is upon us!

 

• Adjust slowly to the heat and humidity. Exercise your horse early if the day is going to be unseasonably hot and/or humid, so he can slowly acclimate to the summertime temperature extremes.

 

• Be wary of your arena footing. Often the warmer months are drier and your footing can become hard and possibly uneven. Here’s a quick read on arena maintenance.

 

• You may need to adjust your farrier schedule, as hooves sometimes grow a little faster in the summer.

 

What else is on your summer-ready list?

 

 

If you want to pick up some fly control staples, you can use these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but there is ZERO extra charge to you! And, I’m eternally grateful for your support.

 

Cashel Crusader Horse Fly Mask with Ears and Long Nose – select size

 

Kensington Natural Horse Fly Boots — Stay-Up Technology — Protection from Insect Bites and UV Rays — Sold in Pairs (2 Boots) – My favorite fly boots!

 

Cashel Quiet Ride Bug Armor – 2 Piece Set – for neck, shoulder, and rump fly sheet for riding.

Thank you!