- Eeeeeeeeeek! Is that a horse or a woolly mammoth? I’m just kidding ... I love to see a horse get a chance to relax and just be a horse. In my mind, this includes growing a fur coat Lady Gaga would envy and, if possible, going barefoot for a month or so. Frosted whiskers are a plus.
At last! The snow is off the ground, you have seen your first robin and the hardy perennials are just starting to show. You know what this means, right? This means it’s time to get your eventing freak on.
You have been looking at photos and old DVDs all winter, stalking the chat rooms and websites and spending way too much time looking at horse clips on YouTube. It was demoralizing for a while, when you became convinced that winter would never, not ever, be over. Boy, were you wrong, and thank goodness for that. Now it’s time to get ready for spring.
Tackle Paperwork First
You can’t event without your horse, and we will talk about him in a minute, but there are some things you have to take care of first. They won’t let you into the start box unless you have updated your memberships, so take care of that right away. The Internet has made it easy; go online and make sure all your membership details are correct and that you are signed up for another year. You probably belong to several organizations, beginning with the US Equestrian Federation and the US Eventing Association. Check all of them to make sure your memberships are current.
While you are at it, look into your horse’s “paperwork” as well. He needs to have accurate information on his record. If you have never tracked down his breeding, try to find that out and enter it now. If you have started competing at the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) levels, make sure his passport is up to date, that any new marks or blemishes are updated on the identification page and that his required vaccinations are current.
A Good Once-Over for Your Horse
While you are updating your horse’s shots, have your vet give him an exam with particular focus on any small conditions that need management. You need to be especially attentive about any past soft-tissue injuries and discuss ongoing treatment and prevention with your vet. Ask for a blood scan; there are several things the blood test can tell you. Red and white cell counts can be indicators of anemia or low-grade infection. Other scan results can alert you to possible dehydration or high worm infestation.
The horseman’s adage is “no foot, no horse,” so have your vet examine your horse’s feet as well to make sure he is shod correctly. If you have difficulty communicating with your farrier, ask your vet for a letter setting out any details that need to be corrected the next time your horse is shod and the overall aspects of his hoof care that will need continual supervision and correction. A good farrier will welcome a consultation with your vet. X-ray and other diagnostic tools can make your farrier’s job much more efficient. Your efforts to make sure your horse is as sound and fit as possible will pay off once you start to hit the road for the new season. (If your farrier is resistant to outside advice, think about finding one who is more open to veterinary input.)
And a Good Once-Over for Your Trailer
Considering the amount of time your horse will spend in your trailer, you owe it to him to make sure it is as road worthy as he is. I know enough about machinery to know that I am not very mechanical. Do what I do, and take your trailer to a reputable dealer to have a checkup.
Let me give you some buzzwords to use on the trailer guy, so he does not view you as a total pigeon: “wiring harness,” “repack bearings,” “brake pads,” “tire tread depth” and “floor integrity.” While you are at it, make your trailer part of the paperwork exercise you went through with the membership and other information for you and your horse. Check that your license plates are current. In addition, many states require inspection stickers, and you want to make sure you comply. Keep the trailer registration with the tow-vehicle registration, along with the applicable insurance papers.
