Table of contents for Dressage Today Extra Volume 24 in Practical Horseman

I often teach clinics where I am asked, “Do you mind if I come into the arena a few minutes prior to my lesson to warm up?” “Sure,” I say, only to see the rider trotting and cantering around on a long rein with absolutely no control. Her (or his) thought process is generally that she wants to allow her horse time to warm up his joints and muscles. However, her horse is thinking, Here I am, running around with my head wherever I want and at whatever speed I want, and then he feels confused when she says, “Now, I want to put you together like a show horse,” and he doesn’t like the new set of rules. It is like having a kid without a curfew suddenly getting…

Summer arrives with longer days, brilliant sunshine and weekends of memorable horse shows. But warmer weather doesn’t always mean smooth sailing in the realm of riding and horse care. Insects, high temperatures and humidity during the summer months require special precautions, which, depending on your horse, may require minor to significant changes in his management. To learn more about dealing with the challenges of summer, Dressage Today spoke with Dr. Emily Harrison, of southern New York, Dr. John Lockamy of Wellington, Florida, and Dr. Elaine Carpenter, based in Cave Creek, Arizona. Summer Basics Ensuring that your horse has a happy and healthy summer begins with preparation. “Planning ahead and being generally proactive in your stable management can prevent a wide variety of equine health problems that arise during those hot…