Running Late to the Barn?
Published by GHC • Sep 4th, 2007 • Category: Horse Advice, Junior Bloggers, by Sydby Syd, age 12
So you’re at the barn and running late. Your lesson started almost 15 minutes ago and you’ve just arrived or your friends have already left for the trails without you! Well here’s how you can get ready quickly while not regretting it later:
THE RIDER: First of all YOU the rider need to make sure you’ve got all your gear on, especially your helmet, so as soon as you’re done tacking up you can jump on right away. Things you have to do at the last minute, like putting on spurs or grabbing your crop, leave nearby so you can grab them as soon as possible. Also make sure there is a grooming box nearby so when you get your horse out you don’t have to go searching for one. Also make sure your tack is close by.
GROOMING: When you’re this late you don’t want to spend 20 minutes giving your horse the spa treatment and making sure every square inch of her is groomed and sparkling clean. But you do want to make sure she is comfortable when tacked up and being ridden. So the first thing you should tend to are the legs. Take a hard dandy brush and get all the dirt off, and check for sores or swelling — it would be disastrous if you noticed that right when you wanted to mount! The next most important thing is the girth and saddle areas. Curry the girth area then quickly brush it to smooth the hairs. After that, curry the saddle area and brush it smooth as well.
TACKING UP: Now to tack up quickly! Like I said before, have your tack nearby. Then to save time, grab your saddle with one hand (to do this, grab the back with your hand and prop the pommel up against your hip) and your saddle pad with the other. Throw those on (this is a figure of speech, don’t actually throw them!) and grab your bridle. Put that on and you’re ready to mount. Put on your spurs, grab your crop, mount up, and hit the trails or arena!
GHC NOTE: These are some great tips for efficiently grooming and tacking-up your horse when you’re short on time. But just make sure you NEVER compromise safety, even if it means missing a lesson or trail ride. Being rushed and impatient around horses can result in accidents. Always take a deep breath and make sure you put safety (for you and your horse) above all else.
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Love this blog! :) :)
Awsome!!! Hope I never run late
i know! i have b4 and i remembered most of these tips hope u guys do 2! :D
Fantastic ideas Syd! I’ll make sure I would always keep your advice in mind!
Good job! I’ll remember this!
Grat Job! Lots of information! I Never knew about the golden horse…now I do! Thanks so much!
-Hannah