Soak up these last few weeks of summer.
The end of summer is approaching, which means fall is on the horizon. If you want to be properly prepared for the changing of the seasons, then there are several things you should complete before the summer is over. Get your barn and horse ready!
Finish Summer Strong by Completing These Tasks
- Stock up on hay for the winter: The best time of year to buy hay is during the summer. Not only will it likely be cheaper than in the fall or winter, but you’ll have more of a selection. Depending on your area, hay farmers can sell out once the season changes. You can get a high-quality 2 nd or 3 rd cutting this time of year. If you pick it up directly from the field, you’ll probably save a few dollars.
- Give your barn a deep clean: Prepare for the colder months by removing cobwebs, sweeping out the hay loft, organizing your tack room, and disinfecting water buckets. No one wants to deep clean once temperatures drop too low. Pick a mild day toward the end of summer or early fall to get your barn in order.
- Schedule a veterinarian appointment: Many horses receive vaccinations in the fall, so make sure to get on your vet’s schedule before they get too busy. Common fall vaccines include tetanus, WNV, EEE/WEE, and rabies. Some recommend equine influenza and strangles
- Evaluate your horse’s body condition: With cooler weather approaching, you want to ensure your horse is in good condition. They shouldn’t be too skinny or overweight. You may need to speak with an equine nutritionist to make adjustments to their diet. Some feed companies offer free consultations.
- Consider your horse’s deworming plan: Nowadays, most veterinarians encourage a fecal egg count to determine which parasites to treat for. This is one area you don’t want to skip! Parasites can wreak havoc on your horse.
- Monitor the condition of your horse’s hooves: Summer into fall can be tough on your horse’s hooves. Ground conditions go from very dry to always wet. Their hooves may have experienced some cracking from the dryness, which leads them susceptible to thrush once the rainy season moves in. Maintain a regular schedule with your farrier. You should also be picking them out daily.
- Walk your pastures: Summer can be rough on the health of your pasture. Evaluate if they need to be reseeded. You should also remove toxic weeds. Many like to drag their pastures to break down and spread manure. Don’t forget to make any repairs to the fencing.
- Clean and go through your tack: It’s time to remove all that sweat and grime buildup from your tack. Leather can get brittle if it isn’t properly cleaned and conditioned. You may want to discard or donate unused or old tack. Late summer can be a good time swap out some items and bring in new ones like reflective tack for hunting season or rain gear.
- Check the fit of sheets and blankets: The rainy season will be upon us shortly, followed by the cold and snow. You’ll want to measure and check the fit of your horse’s blankets before you need them. Some may need repairs or waterproofing.
- Revisit training goals: The cooler weather can act as a motivator to get you in the saddle more. Create a fitness plan to work on improving you and your horse’s stamina. Now is also a good time to condition your horse if you plan to do a lot of trail riding in the fall. Nothing like the crunching of leaves and vibrant colors that await!
