We don’t mean to nag, but here are a few chores that, in an ideal world, you’ll put on your to-do list for this month...
1. Clip your horse, then service your clippers
It is said: “Clipping a horse in February is a really bad idea, as his summer coat will be starting to make an appearance and you’ll just go and ruin it by chopping off the tip of it.” However, that is widely disputed as an old wives’ tale — we’ll leave the final decision to you. Either way, once your clipping duties for the season are complete, don’t put the used blades away, only to get them out again in October and realise they’re completely blunt. Send them away to be sharpened now, and consider getting the clippers serviced while you’re at it.
2. Clear out, clean up and cash in
Let’s face it, we all have stuff we don’t need:
➤ The broken headcollar at the bottom of a trunk in the tackroom “just in case” it comes in handy one day — that day will never come
➤ Rugs that are no longer waterproof — reproof them or sling them out
➤ Stirrup leathers that have come unstitched — fix them or ditch them
➤ Take items you no longer need to the second-hand shop, car boot sale or sell them online
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➤ Ensure your summer rugs are washed and repaired in preparation for use in a few months. There’s wishful thinking!
3. Get geeky, get organised
This is a fun chore. Really. Invest in a calendar, plan out your season and pin it in the tack room. Get your competition hopes pencilled in, because if horses get wind of a championship they will throw a shoe at least. Mark on your lessons, too. This is truly motivational stuff. Book the farrier, schedule your horse’s vaccinations and set reminders to do worm counts. You’ll feel super organised.
Not quite so much fun, but your horse’s pasterns will thank you. Keeping your field gateways as dry as possible will help to fend off mud fever and thrush. Putting hardcore down prevents poaching, but recycling old shavings makes an economical temporary alternative. You could try using electric fence to protect the gateway, although this may move the poached area a few metres back and exacerbate the problem. If you have an ongoing problem, seek professional advice in time for next year.
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Sarah has worked at an equestrian journalist and editor since 2004 and has held the position of Horse & Hound Editor-in-Chief since 2014. She has reported for Horse & Hound from major championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on horses and horse sport including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. She has owned and ridden horses since 1993, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university. While studying for a BSc at London School of Economics Sarah also worked for top British dressage rider Louise Spate.
