Stubborn stable stains, big clumps of sticky mud, legs that are always wet and dusty coats – winter is packed full of coat concerns. Professional groom Laura White shares her effective turnout tips to save you time brushing and make more time for riding.
1. Clip your horse appropriately for their workload.
If they are going to live out and are only in light work, a small trace or bib clip is sufficient. If they are in hard work and stabled, a full, hunter or blanket clip is suitable.
2. Feed to your horse’s workload.
Overweight good-doers don’t need excess energy in the winter. Allowing them to use their excess fat to keep warm will follow their natural weight loss cycle.
3. Remove mud carefully.
Use your hands to pick off any really big clumps of mud, especially around sensitive ears and eyes. It helps you feel for lumps and bumps too.
4. Dry off their legs.
If you do have to get your horse’s legs and feet wet at night, dry them thoroughly with a towel.
5. Keep their mane and tail mud-free.
Spraying coat shine or mane and tail spray on your horse’s mane and tail will not only detangle them, but also help prevent mud sticking to them. Beware slippery manes when you’re riding, though.
6. After-exercise coat care is as important as pre-exercise coat care.
If your horse has sweated, sponge or hot cloth the sweat away before it dies as it can irritate the skin if left on.
7. Rug up after exercise.
For horses who aren’t clipped and have got sweaty and wet, sponge off the salty sweat and help them to dry by towel drying them. Then leave a cooler rug on to help wick away the moisture before rugging them up.
Meet the expert: Laura White is a groom for the Duke of Beaufort’s hunt, and cares for 10 horses every day – most of them are greys! She is also a long-standing British Grooms Association member.
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