Here are 5 tips to making life at the stables during winter that little bit easier. With short days, bad weather and dark nights, working horses around work can be a difficult job. I love having my horse but some days I just need to make my life easier, here are 5 of my life hacks.
These little babies make life so much easier when tying nets up, just attach one to the string of the net and clip to the underside to secure the net to a ring.
Remove the steamers head and cut a small round hole in the container at the bottom, push the plastic tubing part through and re-attach the steamer head.
1. An alternative to tying haynets
I have done this to all of my haynets, they work so well, especially with a horse who normally untied the nets and throws them in poo during the night.
2. Steaming Haynets
Okay you might think "not everyone can afford that luxury" well think again. Everyone can afford a hay steamer, they are super easy and cheap to make. Simply get an old wheelie bin, barrel, container with a lid and a cheap wallpaper steamer from a local hardware store.
Get a plastic or metal grate and place above the steamer head, this is to keep the haynets from directly sitting on top. When in use keep the lid on and steam for approximately 20mins. Ta Dah.
Please excuse the messy barn, this is what a working farm does to the room if the doors are open for 5mins!
I love this genius little machine, I get warm haynets that have been steamed well and don't have to put up with cold, wet hands and clothing from soaking the nets.
3. Tail Bags
I hadn't used one of these until recently but I love the results so much. If your yard is anything like mine there is a tonne of mud. I have done a full review on my tail braid already, but it also deserves a place on this list. If you have a competition or need your horses tail clean for whatever reason, the tail braid makes for a great time saving hack. It keeps the tail clean whilst also providing a protective cover and it can be applied straight after washing. It's also very useful if your horse, like mine, poops and wees in its tail. Gigi always gets poo in her tail when travelling, but this keeps it nice and clean, it's honestly an amazing time and cold hand saver.
4. 101 Riding Exercises App
If you are like me then you will carry a phone when you ride or around the yard. If you don't have much time to think of what you want to do then all you need to do is chose the section you want (western, schooling, dressage or jumping) then click surprise me. The app will give you an exercise to work on and full instructions on how to go about performing the exercise, I normally do two or three of the schooling/dressage ones in a 45 minute flatwork session.
The only downside to this app is you have to buy each section individually, they cost approximately £15 each as they are each a book in App form. Either way I love them and think they are really worth the money.
Below is one of the sample exercises from the schooling deck.
To get the app, simply search one of the following titles in the App Store: 101 Dressage, 101 Jumping, 101 Schooling or 101 Western. There is one for everyone!
5. A whiteboard
I love my whiteboard, I bought a plain rectangular one from a local DIY store for £2.50. I then got a pack of multi-coloured pens. I drew a monthly calendar on part of the board and added sections for important information such as feed rations, emergency contacts and appointments/notes. I record special dates on the calendar, plan my riding schedule and account for days off. I find this is such a useful tool to see how much of each thing I do with Gigi for example the best days to practice jumping before a show jumping competition. After a while it becomes easy to plan the best routine before an upcoming competition, this helps to find out the best ways to help you and your horse do well. You can also track weight changes and many other things, make it your own and tailor it to your personal needs.
So there you have it, my favourite 5 equestrian life hacks!
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