If it's 70 degrees outside and after I ride I want to rinse off my horse, would it be okay to do even if he still has winter hair? Posted via Mobile Device
I always make my decision based on how much the temp will drop in the next few hours... in AZ, we can have 30 degrees difference between noon and night, so I had some days where it was 75 when I rode, 65 when I was done and cooler at night--therefore no rinse. But, if it's going to stay around 70 for a few hours I think you're fine! Just use a sweat scraper afterwards to remove excess water.
My rule of thumb is if I'm in a t-shirt, I can use a hose. However, I will reconsider if I'm hosing in the evening and the temp is going to drop over night.
I had a training buddy from Norway--she was a U of I foreign exchange student--who used straw to dry off wet horses with a heavy coat. I suggest a sheet or light blanket, in the stall, until the horse is dry, then a good grooming.
My horses get so much turnout that they usually roll off their heavy coats.
I would say as long as it will still be 70 for a while you should be fine. If you can, graze him out in the sunshine until he is dry rather than putting him in a chilly dark stall. Keep an eye on him as he is drying, and have a cooler at the ready if he starts shivering.
Depends on the barn. My barn is wood, and sometimes, after a heavy Spring workout that leaves my horses really wet, I put them into their stall to dry bc it's warmer. Many barns are not made of metal and it IS colder inside. You need to use discretion.
It was actually almost 80 today!, so I went ahead and rinsed him. Posted via Mobile Device
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