What an interesting post. I'm just reading this on Tuesday morning after watching the video and posting about it on Fugly and my own blog. I think I would like to take back what I said and say hmm, not how I would train/compete a horse, but competing is not my livelihood. I don't have to get my horse in first place to put food on my table and hay in Sugar's mouth. I think this trainer did what he had to do to win, and while that's not what I would do, I can see why he did it. I really, really appreciated that post and it seriously opened my eyes. As always, you make me think Mugs!
And I would like to continue writing about it (I like to type and ramble so once upon a time I started a blog so I could do that) because I thought even more about it. My next thought is that this guy chose horse training as his career. I did not, because I didn't want to have to put training like that on a horse in order to pay my bills. If he wasn't really prepared to receive this sort of a response, maybe he should have been a car salesman or something. If he is prepared to receive this response...yikes who would want that!
In other news, it was over 90 degrees all weekend so I chose to leave Sugar and Rally alone and let them weather the heat. (of course I fed them and gave them water, etc.) but all I wanted to do was hug my air conditioner and go outside after dark only, I can imagine she wouldn't have enjoyed a ride. Fans are being unearthed from the back of the loft and will be going in by the end of tomorrow, and horses have been switched to night turn out.
Sugar did manage to find the one and only screw that pokes out in the barn and catch her fly mask on it, right beside her eye. She must have ripped it off her head because when I found it, it was hanging on the screw, velcro still attached. It happened on Sunday morning right before I went to feed her. I know this because when I walked in, her eyes were as big as a half dollar and her nostrils were all flared up with crazy breathing. She didn't get injured but of course it worried me!!
Couple Questions...Does anyone ride after dark in extreme heat like this? If I hose Sugar off when it's this hot will she only stay cool while I'm hosing her, or will her being wet afterwards help to cool her?
I read Mugwump and she had some very interesting and valid points. I still disagree with how the horse was handled to achieve what is deemed acceptable for showing. I found her lifeless and disengaged, almost robot like. Personally, I don't find that exciting to watch.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of riders ride in the early morning or evening in the arena when it's really hot. We are on a well system where I board, so hosing off your horse is not the usual routine. You can fill a shallow bucket and sponge your horse off. Putting a nice cold sponge on a pulse on the neck helps cool the blood as it circulates. :-) I think the dampness after hosing down helps cool a horse, but I would also like to say cool fresh water helps cool from the inside out. :-)
I hadn't heard anything about that video until Mugwump Chronicles posted about it as I don't read Fugly very often. I agree with Mugwump on this one after watching the video. While I wouldn't train on my horse like this nor would I like anyone else to, I don't classify this as abuse. The competition at this level is intense and this guy has to win to feed his family and the horses in his barn. Since this is what it takes to win, horses will remain strictly a hobby for me.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't think riding after dark would be too hard on the horses all long as the humidity isn't too bad. I used to ride in Texas when the temps were in the mid 90's but there wasn't much humidity where I lived. I found a good guide line for riding in the heat but you will have to get on weather.com to find all the info you need. Here is what the article said. "To determine the risk of heat stress, add the air temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) and the humidity, then subtract the wind speed. If your total is less than 130, your horse isn't in danger. If the number is near 150, reduce hauling and exercise, especially in high humidity. If the total exceeds 180, refrain from exercise and hauling." I think a nice hosing after your ride her will help her cool off a bit. Kind of like taking a cool shower for us. Hope this helps!
Wolfie, I agree with your idea on the Fugly reining horse...you put into words exactly what I was thinking!!! I may have to try the sponge on the neck for Rally...He is not too keen on hoses. Cool fresh water = always available!!! Do you keep your water tanks/buckets in the shade? Ours is in the sun but I'm wondering about moving it to the shade. The only shade spot avilable is kind of in a corner, so I would be worried about that, but it's only Sugar & rally in their area so I hope they would be able to get along with it like they do normally.
ReplyDeleteRocky, that is exactly why Sugar and Rally are not headed for the competitive shows. Schooling and local...I can only dream of going there someday post trailer purchase :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very humid here. I think I will use your equation for all future heat riding...it's so useful! In fact, I think I will type up a little thing and post it in the tack room at the barn.
MANY THANKS!!!! :)