July 2, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
Summer Horse Riding
Summer has always been my least favourite time for riding my horse. It’s usually hot, the ground is hard and then there’s the flies, which I hate. I never liked them much to start with but I was followed by a swarm of flies when riding through a wood one summer as a kid and ever since then, I really really dislike them.
In the summer months, I often switch the horses routine and put them out at night and bring them in during the day. If they are out during the day, then I always made sure they can get into a box or some shelter from the sun, plus these days you can get Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask Standard
My current horse hates flies. He will frequently shake his head and will strike at his nosse with his front feet. I initially tried the more standard horse anti fly ear protection but he is much better with a nose net which just attaches to his noseband. I also use horse fly spray when riding. This seems to vary significantly in effectiveness so you may have to try several until you find one that works for you. It also seems to help a lot if the horses are washed down after riding in the summer, rather than just cooled off after exercise in the summer.
Not all horses like being hosed down with cold water but most quickly come to like it. The regular washing also helps with sweet-itch type problems where they rub their manes and or tails in the summer months.
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