Heat !!

[rcfarm]

It is soooo hot!!!!!!!!!!! How is everyone keeping your driving horses in shape? I try to drive or exercise around 7 pm leaves me a hour or so to exercise. Not nearly long enough for my 2 driving horses.

 

[terrid]

We have a state park pass and with that you can go into the park as early as 6 am other than that we've been waiting till the evening also.

 

[targetsmom]

I try to drive or work them either in the morning or late afternoon and preferably in a shady area which makes a huge difference. BUT, I still work them, because I can't control the weather at shows, and they need to get used to working in the heat. We had a show last weekend when the heat index was over 100 and so hot I almost didn't make it through the day. Princess and I were in a total of 13 classes, including 5 driving classes, plus hunter and jumper, trail (2), showmanship and halter/color (3). She was on the trailer (parked in the shade) in between classes and when I harnessed her for driving around 6:30 PM she still had plenty of energy. Good thing one of us did! So glad I had been working her in the heat consistently!! She had a great show and was awesome in driving - 13 1sts, 1 second, and 1 third in the 5 driving classes, with 3 judges. She looked just like she did in the avatar photo.

 

[Mominis]

I'm with Target. We've been doing the same. We avoid working in the heat on the days it is possible for us, but we've also been 'toughing it out' a lot. I have just been thankful for the wind, when we get it. We've only lost one day from our training schedule due to the heat and we've had to re-adjust the scheduled workout twice because of the heat. Otherwise, we go for it.

 

[LazyRanch]

People think because we're a mile high, we don't get heat, but this year we've been driving in 110 degrees. Not hard, but as was said, you cannot control weather at events. I have a Betathane harness so sometimes I will hose PJ off while in harness. We might be working out down in our obstacle yard, have a nice hose off, then go off down the road.

I also feed electrolytes, although it took me awhile to find a great combination. Once I did, though, both horses really perked up. I frequently take some sort of sports drink with me when I drive (yes, I share it).

Last week, I actually trace clipped PJ! He is SOOO much happier! We have temperature changes of 50 degrees in a day, and a couple times 60! It will be 100 - 110 by 3PM and 45 at 3AM. Very sucky.