Summer horse care - what do you need to know?

Summer is the peak of the riding season, when we spend the most time at the stable - and in the saddle. What do you need to keep in mind when taking care of your horse during the warm days? Keep reading to learn some valuable grooming tips!

Summer months are often the time of hard work for horses, and for horse owners - long hours spent with their favorite animals. It is advisable to use this time for proper horse care, which is crucial - not only for the looks, but also to the health of the hoofed creatures. Horse care during the summer season (and other times of the year) is also the time when we can take a closer look at the horse's hooves, skin and coat and ensure that no alarming symptoms have appeared. It's worth checking, for example, if there are no abrasions at the place where the saddle and girth are placed. Cleaning and other treatments are also a great way of bonding with horses and they usually bring a lot of fun to both parties.

Summer horse grooming tools and grooming tips

The basis of horse grooming is a thorough cleaning of the horse before riding. After the ride, it is also recommended to spend some time cleaning the horse's coat - wiping it with straw or a dandy brush, massaging with a horse's body brush, checking if any stones are stuck in the hoof's frog. Cooling the horse's feet during hot weather is a good habit - it will strengthen the tendons. The basic grooming session of the horse's coat involves combing, brushing and cleaning the hooves, as well as combing the horse's mane and tail. During summer, the dry ground can cause cracking and deterioration of the horse's hooves - in which case it is a good idea to use special products such as Over Horse or Waldhausen hoof grease or oil.

1. Busse Mane Comb for mane-pulling
2. Waldhausen Lambskin Equine cleaning glove
3. Waldhasuen Hot-Chilly Legs tendon boot piece
4. Horze Sweet grooming set in carry bag
5. Waldhausen Equine Mane Comb trim

Some light-skinned horses (cremello, piebald, spotted) tend to be sensitive to sunburn, especially near the nostrils. If you notice that your horse has sensitive skin, it's good to apply sunscreen on the horse's coat (like the ones for humans - only make sure that the product doesn't have a strong scent and monitor whether it doesn't cause any allergies).

1. Effol Kids Super-Clean shampoo for horses 300ml
2. Veredus Honey Hoof grease for hooves 1L
3. Busse Rund sponge
4. Busse Expanding sponge
5. Absorbine Showsheen Miracle Groom 946ml

Beautiful summer weather can be used to bathe the horse. It's the most effective way to get rid of loose hair, dust, dirt and sweat. Sponges and shampoos dedicated for horse's coat (or possibly gentle shampoos for children) will come in handy. Bathing the horse is fun especially for younger animal lovers - you can surprise them by choosing a horse shampoo with glitter! If it is the first time bathing the horse, you should gradually familiarize the animal with the bath hose, so that the process doesn't cause unnecessary stress. Before the bath, clean the horse thoroughly, use a sweat scraper, carefully detangle and comb the mane and tail. Start the bath with the horse's legs, pouring water carefully and gradually, getting it accustomed to the water's temperature. Avoid the sensitive areas of the horse's head and the horse's ears - it is enough to wash them with a wet sponge. If possible, after the bath, leave the horse out in the sun so that it dries faster. Never bathe in the evening to avoid putting a wet horse in the stable.

Remember about anti-insect protection!

An essential part of horse care in the summer is the protection against annoying insects - flies, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats or blackflies. A well groomed horse is not as appealing to the bugs. However, flies and other biting insects still buzz around and bother the animal. To provide relief and ensure our horse's well being we use repellents - usually available in the form of sprays (e.g. Over Horse, Absorbine). In the stable and around the paddock it is a good idea to install bug traps. An environmentally friendly (and attractive to visitors) alternative is to place swift or bat boxes at the equestrian center! You can also grow insect repellent plants close to the stable, such as lavender, basil and catnip. Horses that have a particularly poor tolerance for insects can be equipped with mesh rugs, anti-fly masks or fly fringes.

1. Horze Freja Combo fly sheet
2. Absorbine Ultrashield brand 946ml
3. Over Horse Horsefly spray 650ml
4. Busse Combi anti-fly mask

However, remember not to overdo it with the amount of used products and accessories. For thousands of years, horses have been living in the "company" of insects. Unless they are particularly nervous or do not have any allergic reactions, it is sufficient to use a repellent spray before the ride and to reduce the number of insects in the stable. Always adapt the use of the product to the individual horse's needs. Before using any insect repellent, always check its expiry date!

Looking for horse grooming accessories? Check out our wide range of horse supplies: insect repellents, horse brushes.

If you have any questions, contact the Equishop Team.

Equestrian store: +48 784 039 784

E-mail: contact@equishop.com

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