10 Questions Equestrian Blog Hop

10 Questions Equestrian Blog Hop

I stumbled on this 10 question blog hop by accident, a fun little blog hop from Rhiannon of The Horse Is Not Black so I thought I would share my answers to her questions here with with you.

What are your summer goals?

This summer, I have so many plans and goals! But as far as horse related goals, I had really wanted to take Ethan to a show this summer. But since we decided to get our house in shape to possibly sell, that goal isn’t going to happen. I have decided to enter online horse shows. So far I have entered 3 shows through the Mane Show and Horse Shows Online and have gotten some ribbons (rosettes) in different photo classes. But they also have video classes to enter. So I will enter Ethan in at least one video class this summer.

I also have a few fancy jump designs I have been working on, and I want to be able to get those completed in the next month or so. You will know if I have been successful, if you see the videos on my YouTube channel, and the blog posts up here for you to read!

 

Do you have any tips or tricks for fly control?

Fly season is just beginning where I live. I like to combat those pesky winged creatures from the get go! I make my own fly spray, because I use a lot of it. I also hang bug pellent hangers in my barn, feed and tack room. I use homemade stall spray. And I spray white vinegar all over my manure pile to help break down the manure faster, and the flies seem to stay away from it too.

 

How often do you bathe your horse?

If I have the time I try to bathe my horses about once a month in the summer, if I don’t have any plans for showing. But if I am getting ready for a show, even an online horse show they will get bathed more often. And when I am riding I do like to rinse them down after a long sweaty work out, if the hose is close by.

 

Do you have any upcoming travel plans? Equine related or otherwise?

We would like to have at least 2 camp outs if we can find the time to make it happen. But the horses will not be coming along with us. If I do get to go anywhere fun it will be close to home and just a day trip down to the Colorado Horse Park to watch some of the horse shows there. I feel very fortunate to have such a great equestrian venue very close to where I live.

 

What is your favorite way to beat the heat?

I try to avoid it! Thankfully, it doesn’t often get too hot where we live. We might hit 95 a few times over the summer, so that isn’t too bad. But if it does get hot, I try to find some shade, or give my horses a shower with the hose. And I always have my water bottle filled with ice water.

And sometimes, if there is a nice breeze, which there is usually where I live, I will take my horse for a walk. That is a nice thing about where we live right now, lots of dirt roads and trails to take my horses for a walk. That is if I have the time!

 

 

Do you do anything to prevent your horse from sun bleaching?

I feed my horses Omega Horse Shine every day. I think it helps a little bit with protecting their coats, but I don’t keep them covered, mostly because they will destroy the expensive sheets. I also put sunscreen on Frisby’s white areas of his face every morning, so he doesn’t get sunburned in the heat of the summer sun.

 

How hot is too hot for you to ride?

Earlier when I said it doesn’t get too hot where I live, doesn’t mean I like to ride in the heat. I will typically save my riding for the late summer evening about an hour before sunset. It tends to get cooler pretty fast, so I can at least enjoy riding! I would love to do what my neighbor does, every morning when I am getting ready to leave for work she is out working her horse. I would love to be able to do that, but I don’t really want to get up and ride at 5:30 in the morning before work. But I might have to try it, at least one time this summer. Who knows, maybe it will become a habit!

 

How important is sun protection for you riding or just in general?

Sun protection is a big deal to me. I have really fair skin, and not to be vain, but I don’t want any more wrinkles! I wear sunscreen all the time during the summer. And I also wear sun shirts, and long sleeves to protect my arms while riding. And even just when I am out in the yard or my garden I will wear a sun hat.

 

Have you ever gone swimming with your horse?

I have not, and I don’t really plan on it. I don’t really like the water and the idea of my horse thrashing through the water with me in close range doesn’t make my list of good ideas. For others, they may like the idea but, I see an opportunity for injury.

 

And because shopping is always on my mind, what’s on your summer wish list?

My summer wish list of horse things is not very long this year. I really want a new riding helmet, and I have my eye on a Samshield. They are so nice, and I have heard very good things about them, but they are so expensive!

But I have seen a new helmet called One K Defender which looks really nice. And it is more in my price range. I think the only way I will be able to justify buying a new helmet is by finding a bunch of stuff to sell, and then using the proceeds to fund my fancy riding helmet purchase.

 

How about you? What are your goals, hopes and dreams for the summer?