Cooling out a wet horse who winters out 24/7

As much as I tell myself I am not going to get my horse all sweated up I just can't seem to help but find myself galloping across the snow covered fields.  I always end up riding a steaming horse back to the barn. 

Now if you are like me and keep your horses out 24/7 you worry about turning out a wet horse and catching a chill in that cold winter air.

Let me say my horse does have a large shed he can get out of the wind and snow and access water and hay and bedding  anytime he wants. It is important horses have some where to go even if it is into a wood lot to get away from the wind.

Now back to the sweaty horse. The first thing I do is untack and dry my horse off with a towel.  Be sure to get their legs and go against the lie of the hair.  This allows more air to get at the coat and keeps hair from freezing together.  Next I give him a good curry, again the point of this is to prevent wet hair from lying flat agains the skin.  I work very hard and fast at this for two reasons; one it helps me warm up and two it is not good to have your horse standing around wet.  Next I throw a wool cooler on him.  Wool is excellent at wisking away the moisture from the coat and providing warmth at the same time.  Lastly I let him eat some hay.  Eating hay is vital in getting the gut working and generating heat.  I spend the hour or so cleaning up or handling some other horses and by the time I'm done the horse is dry enough to take the wool cooler off, and leave to their own devices.

My next blog I will give you some cost saving ideas on tack and equipment.  I know I certainly need them after my wife gets through with the Christmas shopping.

10 reasons to ride in a treeless saddle.

Everyone one loves top 10 lists.
#10 They are light weight and easy to lift.
#9   They allow your horse back to flex in all gaits.
#8   They don't restrict your horses shoulder.
#7   They can adjust to your horses back as his shape changes.
#6   They work on those hard to fit round backs.
#5   They can be used on multiple horses this means you save $.
#4   You can feel the movement of your horse and helps you get in sync with them.
#3   Sizing isn't as important so as we change the saddle can accomodate us.
#2   They are warm in the winter and cool in the summer
#1   They are comfortable for you and your horse!

If you are interested in trying out a treeless saddle check out my website and read about my free saddle trial offer, or host a clinic at your riding facility. 

Email me with any questions you may have

www.horselife@execulink.com and be sure to check out my website http://www.horselife.ca/

Thanks

Steve Wawryk

Bridleless Riding! Are you Crazy?

Last night I was surfing on Youtube and came across Clinton Anderson doing some Bridleless riding.  I don't impress all that easy but I watched in amazement as he put his horse through a reining pattern.  You may have also seen Stacey Westfall do this bridless and bareback, if you haven't you have got to check it out your jaw will drop.

Like a lot of you out there I am always looking for new ways to challenge me and my horse.  So this morning I went out and decided that me and my horse were going to learn to ride bridleless.  I consider myself a bold rider but not a stupid one so I am starting with baby steps.

I put on a Horselife Ropehalter/bitless bridle combo and a neck rope on my trusty but very forward and energetic horse Chopper.  For a neck rope I used a 6ft lead line tied around his neck. I jumped up on him bareback and rode him into the paddocks.  Now my horse works pretty good bitless so I figured I would have that as a backup in case things were not working with the neck rope and I could use it to reinforce what I was asking with the neck rope. 

when I first started out my horse wasn't quit sure what to think but after a short time and some reinforcing with the halter he was catching on.  I was able to do rollbacks, steer fine, back up and do  a decent stop( still could be better).  I was  very surprised how well it worked. I rode him in the same style I would if I had a saddle and bridle using the leg cues and shifting my weight and mimicking the had movements I do when neck reining.  I hope to be riding bridless by the time spring hits I will keep you posted on my progress. 

If you are looking for something new to try give bridless riding a shot.  Remember to work up to it and be safe.

If you are interested in buying a Horselife bitless bridle halter combo you can get them on ebay just type in horselife or email me and we can make other arrangements

www.horselife@execulink.com

Thanks

Steve Wawryk

No more frozen water tanks. Your horses will thank you.

For those of you that live in a warm climate you can skip over this tip but for those of us battling the winter weather and freezing temperatures you might want to read this. 

Keeping water from freezing is a real concern for many of us.  Horses need their water just as much in the winter as in the summer so it is vital we keep our stock tanks from freezing over.  Here are a few tips that might help in the battle of the frozen water tank.

If electricity is around try using a tank heater they simply plug in and heat the water enough to keep it from freezing, they come in several styles and are easy to use and maintain. They can get expensive to operate. Count on adding about $120.00 to your hydro bill for the season.  Another electrical device you can use is an aerator.  Basically it is a pump that sits in the bottom of your tank and blows water and air up to the surface the warmer water from the bottom and the movement created keeps the water from freezing , kind of like a creek that doesn't freeze over because of the constant motion.  This is less expensive then a heater but can get messy if the tank water level gets too low. 

Things you can do that don't require electricity are covering most of the tank with a board, only allowing a small section of the tank exposed so the horses can stick their muzzles in to get a drink. 

Place a floating object in the tank. The movement of the object along the surface can stimulate the water enough to keep it from freezing.

Insulate the tank.  You can do this by building an outshell around the tank with some plywood and 2x4's.  Fill the gap inbetwen the shell and the tank with foam insulation then build a lid with a small hole for the horses to drink out of.

Another way to insulate is to bury the tank below the frost line. This may or may be feasible depending on where you live and the depth of the frost line.

The idea I really like is to build a solar box around the tank.  You do this in the same manner as the insulating box but with a few little changes.  Firstly the tank should be painted black and a clear panel of plexiglass built into one side of the box.  The clear side should be facing the southern exposure.  Build a lid with a small opening for the horses to drink out of.  In order to retain most of the heat seal the box with a caulking sealant.

Good luck

Steve Wawryk

Don't let the snow keep you from riding.

Well the dreaded day had arrived.  I woke up this morning to wet snow on the ground and from what the forecast says I am in for some more.  You would think after some 42 years of ontario winters I would get use to it but unfortunatekly I am one of these people that grin and bare it for the next 4 months.  The only saving grace for me are those sunny winter days wen I can get out and gallop across a snow covered field.  One of my most memorable rides have been riding in the snow racing a jack rabbit along a fence line.  Needless to say after the rabbit grew tired of us he took off across the field and was gone in a blink of an eye.

Now riding in the snow can be a little tricky here are a few things to keep in mind when venturing out. 

• Avoid sharp turns and small circles, I have had horses fall on me because they caught some ice under the snow and slipped trying to lope a circle.
• Be aware of the footing, try to avoid ice as much as possible, don't be afraid to dismount and check the footing yourself.
• Stay off lakes and ponds, especially if you have winters with freeze and thaws, you don't want to break through the ice at best you will get very cold and wet , worst case an empty stall and place at the dinner table.
• Try to avoid deep snow drifts.  I once went out with a person who's horse got bogged down in deep snow and we spent 1/2 hour digging them out, the horse was cold and I was tired.
• Avoid getting your horse too wet, especially if they don't have a warm stall to dry off in.
• Improve your horses traction by keeping snow from balling up. One way to do this is allow the sole to grow thick so there isn't much of a pocket in the hoof.  Another trick is to spray PAM or any not stick cooking spray on the sole of the horses hooves.  This keeps the snow from sticking.
• Slow down and ride in areas you are familiar with.

Get out and have Fun

Steve Wawryk

Any questions or comments email me at horselife@execulink.com

I have a herd bound horse what do I do?

I deal with a lot of clients who telll me there horse is fine when out riding with a bunch of horses but get them out on their own and they come unglued.  This is referred to as being herd bound.  Horses become herd bound because they  lack the confidence and/or the desire to get out  and accept you as his leader. 

First thing you need to do is establish yourself as a leader on the ground, read any natural horsemanship book and it will give you all sorts of ways to do this.  When that trust and leadership has been established on the ground establish it in the saddle, again taking control of the horses feet is the way I like to do it. Once the horse has gained your trust and respect they will respect and trust that you will not lead them to harm and follow you.  This all sounds easier said then done and it is.  Alot of work goes into achieving this.  I will give you and exercise to try when you are out with a friend on your herd bound horse.  Ride together for a while then ask your friend to ride ahead 25 yards, your horse will start to act up but don't let them go with the horse until you say so.  Once they have settled meet up again. Now you ride ahead 25 yards.  Continue to do this increasing the distance and the speed and direction.  Soon both will be able to canter off in opposite directions without a fuss. 

Remember the key to a good horse is wet saddle blankets.

Have fun and be safe.

Steve Wawryk