(no subject)

[which_chick]

Day 2 of conditioning. Walk. Trot. We actually got Kenzi's horse moved today so that she can ride it tomorrow, assuming she can catch it. Kids did well reviewing material on gaits.



I didn't have a topic for today. I need a topic for every day. I fail. Fail is me. Tomorrow we're going to talk about how horses and water with regard to exercise.

-- exercise makes heat
-- too much heat is dangerous
-- horses cool off by sweating
-- sweat is basically water coming out of the horse's body
-- water can't come out if it's not in there
-- so, you gotta make sure that there is water IN the horse before, during, and after exercise.

-- hydration strategies for success
*water to drink at all times (buckets, streams, bigger tubs if possible, even mud puddles)
*grass-filled bellies 2 days straight before going to ride (not hay. Grass.)
*offer all possible grass grazing AT ride, during vet-in, after dinner, etc.
*offer soaked alfalfa post-ride, apples, water

-- water also works to cool horse if you put it ON the horse
*3 locations (neck, front legs, inside of back legs)
*put water on, wipe water off, put new water on.
*letting water sit on horse is NOT GOOD, as it heats up and then does not cool.
*do water-on-horse at water stops, midpoint, end-of-ride^2.

All my kidlets need to know about horses and water, there.