Event grease

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Wan2bEventer

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Hey guys,
Just wondering at what level you would grease up your horse for XC? One person has mentioned to me that I should do this for my upcoming Intro's and PN's; while another has said not to bother at that height! Would love to know what you all thought.
Cheers! x
 
I don't think it is really necessary until you get up to Novice, I mean grease is meant to help them slide over fences really if they knock them.
Therefore if your horse needs help at Intro/Pre Novice level then perhaps it isn't a wise idea to be doing Novice!!
 
I usually only grease up from Novice upwards, and sometimes didn't worry with grease at Novice depending on the course.

As said above, i'd be a little concerned if a horse at Intro/PN needed help sliding over the fences!
 
I personally wouldnt use it at Intro/Pre Nov. Some do for Novice - the bigger ones (If I get there I might) and if I ever get to Intermediate and beyond they yes I think I would.

Someone in the Foxhunters last year at Aintree (over the National Fences) had greased up their horse - I cant remember if it got very far or not!
 
My very un-precious novice horse has certainly never been greased. Might if I take it higher this season, but then it's quite common and sweats a lot and by greasing you're reducing the available surface area for heat loss so then it might depend on the weather.... So many things to think about, so little time
 
I would never grease up till advanced other than 3DE's. It does stop the skin breathing which isn't great and is a nightmare to get off = also not great!! And like said above, if you're needing it to slide over intro adn PN fences i'd be very scared!!!
 
lol thanks guys, I don't plan on sliding, and my mare has huge scope and ability so I hope she isn't planning on sliding either! The lady who recommended greasing doesn't know my horse, and has never seen us ride. She just commented in passing and it got me thinking.

Thanks again! x
 
Never used grease and currently at Intermediate with the big boy. Keep saying I should get some but always seem to forget!!! Agree with all others really, don't until Novice/Int depending on the horse.
Good Luck!!
 
ah, just thought... there's 2 types of grease though. there's the water-soluble type that slides off and washes off very easily, that i use for one days, and the really really greasy type (more like white vaseline) which has to be sprayed with a degreaser to remove, that's for 3 days.
 
If we've had grease on we put fairy liquid in the wash off water to get it off!! Remember ot only put it on at the last minute and to rub it up the leg first then gently smooth down not t'other way
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I think it depends on the horse and on the course. Generally I'd grease Intermediate upwards but I might also grease a new novice horse or a small horse especially on the stifles and I'd grease the stifles if there were log drops on a course. That saying it's pointless greasing a horse with grease that comes off in water (i.e. the green stuff) if the water is early on in the course. I'd tend to use some really tough stuff - Gold Label is super slippy, especially if it gets on your reins!, but it stays put - I find removing it is easy with half a bucket of hot water with a cup of vinegar in it. All in all I'd rather play safe and spend a few £'s on grease than spend a lot of £'s on vet fees and lost entries.
 
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