Here are some refreshers and winter requirements for hack days and horse care.
1. Treat Thrush – it is wet and muddy! Pay special attention to crevices between the heel bulbs. Copper Sulfate or Bleach provided in the bottles in the grooming stalls should be used daily. If this doesn’t seem to help ask for suggestions – Thrush Buster, Today/Tomorrow, etc
2. Sole Paint – the ground is hard at night and can bruise the horses feet. Seashore Acres has a great product or purchase Venice Turpentine and DMSO liquid we can help you make your own.
3. Keep legs clean – use warm water to wash and ALWAYS towel dry. You can use the damp towel on saddle and bridle marks. Either hang towel or place in laundry room. Please do not put in grooming buckets.
3. Pay attention to the TEMP – if it gets to 32 degrees or below at night the rings are not rideable until 11 at the earliest. Colder it gets the longer it takes to soften. Check before you mount. Walk to the far side of the rings and check shadows.
4. Keep your horse covered – If it is below 45 and your horse is body clipped keep a blanket on while grooming and tacking. Once you are done riding cover them back up to do your post ride groom, wash and ice legs, treat fungus, etc.
5. No lunging or changes to turnout without supervision from Cedarhill Training Staff – Andrea, Caroline, Steph. No one else, no exceptions, we are a text away at all times.
6. No jumping or moving poles in any ring at any time. If there are trot or canter poles set by an instructor you may confirm they are set appropriately for your horse since the scope and stride of the animal affects the distance between the poles. If they are correct you may flat over the poles.
7. Cavaletti can be used on the lowest or middle setting ONLY. Full height is considered a jump and off limits.
8. If you use equipment from the lesson barn – RETURN TO LESSON BARN. Please don’t change the “settings” to any school horse bridles or swap school horse tack without guidance from the training staff. Also! Pads in the laundry room are staff ONLY.
9. No one should ride alone ever. Make sure there is always a licensed driver at the farm. If your rider is under driving age you should stay with them or make sure someone here is willing to be responsible. It isn’t just time in the saddle but out in fields and paddocks and sometimes in the barn there are risks.
There are always a lot of moving pieces on the farm. We want our riders to have independence when flatting but also keep them and the horses safe. We are lucky to have so many passionate riders and supportive families!!!