The United States has been under the oppressive weight of a heatwave this summer. With temperatures reaching upwards of 90 degrees, equestrians are struggling to make time to ride their horses outside of the hottest part of the day. But that doesn’t mean you have to stop making progress on your own and your horse’s training. There’s plenty you can do on a hot day to improve your overall horsemanship, while working up as little of a sweat as possible.
Obstacle Training
Do you have a spooky or insecure horse? Obstacle training is great for horses who are a little uncertain when faced with new things. You may have seen videos of cowboys riding through pool noodles or working with tarps and assumed that obstacle training is purely for starting horses or just for western riders. Obstacle training is for everyone and can benefit every horse, no matter how experienced they are.
To get started with obstacle training, pick up the book Over, Under, Through: Obstacle Training for Horses by Vanessa Bee. Bee has provided Six Blueprint Exercises to lay the foundation of skills you need as a trainer and a horse to go over, under, and through. Then, she takes us through 50 common scenarios—such as riding over white lines or dark shadows, or riding past farm animals or marshmallow hay bales—and illustrates with small, building-block steps and photos, what is needed to change the horse' reaction and behavior, assuring a smoother, safer ride down the road. With the help of this book, your horse will become an extraordinary trail horse in no time at all. Plus, while these exercises apply to under saddle work, they can also be completed from the ground.
Train Your Brain
If it’s too hot to even step foot outside your front door, you can stay in your air-conditioned living room and sprawl across your sofa with a good book. Brain Training for Riders by Andrea Monserrat Waldo is designed to help riders overcome their fears and anxieties and go back to enjoying their time in the saddle. Andrea Waldo teaches you how to: handle uncomfortable emotions, such as fear, anger, anxiety, and embarrassment; hone your mental game and focus your riding time to get the most out of your hours in the saddle; care for your emotional injuries the same way you would care for an injured horse; and produce a state of "Focused Calm" and tap into the skills you have (whether you know it or not!) to ensure an outstanding ride.
Practice Your Braiding
Don’t get caught with sloppy braids at your next show. While you can’t ride, take the time now to practice your braiding. Not only will you get to spend some time with your horse, but your horse will also stay cooler without their mane laying flat on their neck. If you’re new to braiding your horse’s mane, don’t be intimidated. You’ll need a few supplies to get started, such as this TuffRider Aluminum Comb, yarn, or rubber bands depending on the type of braid you’re doing.
Learn from the best braiders in the business with the book World Class Braiding by Emma Ford and Cat Hill. Emma Ford is a groom extraordinaire, having groomed for Olympians like Phillip Dutton and was a recipient of the U.S. Eventing Professional Groom of the Year award. In World Class Braiding, Emma and Cat cover everything from braiding basics to different ways of braiding long manes and tails. Bring this book to the barn with you and keep it in your tack trunk as a go-to reference whenever you need it.
Learn the Masterson Method of Massage
Is your horse feeling a bit stiff lately? Spend some time giving them a nice massage in the shade of their stall. The Masterson Method of massage allows your horse to perform at his best without stiffness and pain in his body. Jim Masterson shares his wealth of experience with the layperson through his book, Beyond Horse Massage, via chapters with tips & techniques, anatomical explanations, and examples from Jim's practice.
You can also buy the accompanying Beyond Horse Massage wall charts to hang in your barn for easy references while you learn to massage your horse. These large format wall charts provide reference photos and step-by-step instructions for 13 Masterson Method techniques. With spiral binding and grommets, these wall charts are durable and long-lasting references that are useful in every barn.
Have a Spa Day
If you have a horse who loves attention, have a spa day with your horse! Break out their favorite brushes or use something like the TuffRider Massage Brush, which contains magnetic roller balls with soft teeth for grooming. These magnetic roller balls help to improve your horse’s circulation and loosen up their muscles before a ride.
Your horse will definitely appreciate a cold bath on these hot days. Start with the silicone-free EquiNatura Shampoo, which contains geranium oil to nourish your horse’s skin and hair. For the softest most luxurious coat, follow it up with the Mane ‘n’ Tail Original Conditioner. This conditioner’s protein enriched amino acid formula maintains, nourishes, and conditions your horse’s coat to aid healthy hair growth.
Shop the Clearance Horse Tack Section on Breeches.com
You can’t get very far with your groundwork if you don’t have the basic necessities for your horse, like a quality halter, lead rope, and more. Spend some time inside doing some online shopping this summer. Check out our clearance horse tack for summer favorites for the barn, like muck boots, halters, bell boots, and more.