Like pretty much everyone this Autumn, Diva and her stablemates are seeing more than their fair share of mud. Good old Leicestershire clay means gateways and well-travelled areas can get poached and deep with mud.
So far, I have slipped onto my bottom only once and that was before the gateway got very muddy at all. I am sure that before the winter is out I will do a proper splash in the mud.
I am even considering using a motion-detecting camera so that should it happen, we can all have a laugh about it.
At this time of year people worry about mud fever, those horrible sore scabs usually on the lower limbs. Luckily, I have never had a problem with it despite muddy, and in the case of Mabel and Florence, white legs.
Personally, I tend to hose off with only cold water and not scrub at the mud with detergents.
Tails, however, are fair game!
Mabel’s short black tail needs little attention, but Florence rolls a lot and her white tail can get covered in mud. Diva’s tail, though black, gets very muddy as she is much lower to the ground and her tail is full length.
Last week I decided I couldn’t bear seeing their dirty tails a moment longer and decided to wash them. Being stabled on a competition yard, I am lucky to have access to a wash box.
Since Diva seems to think she is a sports horse and not a Shetland pony, I decided to see if she would mind being cross-tied like the big horses.
Of course, she didn’t.
It did make me chuckle to see the little thing standing there.
Oh, and following on from my last blog with Mabel being used as a model for Ruggles, the relentless rain prompted me to get Diva a 50g turnout rug, which no doubt pleased her!
Riding your horse at night is something even the keenest of equestrians may have never even considered. Whether the idea fills you with excitement or trepidation, there might be times when it’s necessary to ride your equine after dark.
Whether you’re a weekend hacker or a serious competitor, tying a horse safely and securely is an equestrian basic. But there's much more to it than meets the eye. Here at Equesure we’ve got some important tips on how to do it safely and what to avoid.
The tables seem to have turned as to which horse is naughtiest now. Shockingly despite Bob ripping yet another of Autumn’s rugs (think that’s 6 this year already), Autumn has taken on the title as most troublesome! In the last few weeks she has taken on full diva status!
We’ve compiled a list of some of the main things you should be aware of, divided into three categories: horse welfare, horse management, and horse riding.