drying horse off after exercise

Poppys Nannan

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hello there

how to dry / care for your horse after exercise

my daughters horse is now working more and getting more sweated up -want to make sure we do the right thing -

should she be wiped all over with a clean sponge and left with cooler rug on and kept in yard until dry or not

thanks:cool:
 
Yup, that's pretty much what I do except I use a wicking fleece as it sucks up the moisture really well. You could also clip the horse which makes drying off times considerably shorter.
 
I sponge them down with a damp sponge ( not soaking ) then they go straight out to roll. Much more efficient at drying them off than a rug! Been doing this for ten years and never had a problem. I always think leaving them in a stable to "cool off" makes them cold rather than dry as they are not moving about.
 
Pretty much that! Except the only thing I sponge off is the armpits, sweaty bridle area and between the back legs, then stick his Weatherbeeta cooler fleece on while I pick out and brush out his feet. By then, he's usually dry and comfortable for me to stick his other rug on or brush off any dried sweat. And ditto getting a little clip if it's possible, certainly is more comfortable for them and less time consuming xx
 
My horse is clipped so drying time is short. He gets a good scrub with some hot water and then has his HorseWare Ireland fleece on which wicks away all the moisture and keeps him dry :)
 
I always clip early now,as soon as horse starts getting fluffy & sweating when ridden. I walk for 10-15 mins at end of ride then sponge & sweaty bits,I pop cooler rug on while he's eating his feed & I'm faffing about doing jobs. I then brush off,rug up & turn out. I too think they're better mooching in field while finishing cooling off.
 
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