Alright it’s that time of year when we pull out our mud ball that’s covered in shedding hair and smells like an old boot into the barn to start riding. Summer prep has begun!
First let’s make the horse more comfortable and for Pete’s sake smell better. Lunge the horse until it’s sweaty, don’t worry it won’t take long. Then it’s bath time! Bathe with medicated shampoo to rid their skin of all the free loading nasties they’ve collected over winter. I prefer Aloe medicated shampoo. It cleanses with bedadine properties and soothes with Aloe. You’re horse will be less itchy and irritable once they are put back into work.
Lunge daily for a week until the horse is sweaty then hose them off and call it a day. Do this for a week or two depending on the condition of said “pasture potatoe”. Some horses need more prep before riding to find their brain.
Once your horse is used to lunging routine then you can start riding. Remember to ease them into it they’ve been used to the mellow lifestyle so it’s best to bring them back to work gradually to avoid stress or injury.
Enjoy the summer, Be safe and have fun 🙂
J Randol horse training 