Regional Rallies & More

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.