Rally!!! It is official,
we are holding a qualifying eventing rally in conjunction with Steepleview 's
Horse Trial over Labor Day Weekend! Why go home with a possible ribbon when you
can go home with two and maybe 3? The Northern Lakes Region is picking up the
cost of horse management so this qualifying rally will not cost you more money
than the horse show costs. Get your teams together, and sign up so that you can
get a stall before stalls are gone! It's time to qualify for 2014
Festival!
Jump Crew: If you are without a
horse, or otherwise unable to do the eventing rally, we need you! Help jump crew
Sunday morning (Labor Day weekend) for the Steepleview Stadium rounds.
Remember to wear appropriate barn shoes and a polo always looks nice and
represents your club nicely.
Reminder:
Did you get your entries in for the non qualifying Dressage Rally to your DC
last Friday? Your DC needs to get those teams to the organizers for that rally
this week!
Hot Weather tips: Hydrate: Did you know that not only is
it important to drink water, but sometimes in extreme heat you need more than
water, you need Gatorade to replenish your electrolytes? Your horse could
also need electrolytes in extreme heat. You can just sprinkle it on their
food. If you add it to their water bucket, always make sure they have a second
bucket of water just in case they don't like the taste of flavored water so that
they drink. If their water troughs water gets warm, they may not want to drink
it either, so refill those water troughs or buckets regularly with cool water.
Tube paste electrolytes are also available for the equine after an extreme
workout in the heat. You can find electrolytes at the feed stores and most tack
stores like Dovers. If your horse is "blowing" where his nostrils are breathing
in and out rapidly and he is not sweating when he should be sweating, hose him
off immediately. He may have developed anhydrosis which if left untreated could
even result in his death. Call your vet.
Also, when you hose your horse off, be sure and scrap them off as the
water can act like an insulator and keep them overheated. A bucket of ice water
and sponge will help your horse get through the day's lesson. Have a groom,
parent, or helpful friend nearby, and again, scrape the ice water
off afterwards.
Finally, immediately after
dismounting, remove your helmet and cross country vest to allow your body to
cool down. And, consider riding in the early morning or late evening when
possible. And never leave your dogs in the car!
Do you know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Go to
www.ponyclub.org and learn more. Know the signs!
For those very, very hot days, you may want to not exercise your horse that
day.