Stay Cool

Before you saddle up, tie a long rope around a large, fluffy sponge. At water crossings, use the sponge to cool you and your horse - without dismounting.

This summer, stay cool without leaving your saddle. Pack a one-quarter-inch diameter, six-foot-long piece of rope and a few large sponges. (Look for sponges in a dog-bone or rectangular shape.) At a stream or other water source, snugly tie the end of the rope onto the middle of the sponge, then dip the sponge into the cool water. Use one sponge to cool your horse's topline, wringing it over his neck, shoulders, and croup. Use another sponge to cool your face and neck. Tip: Make sure your horse accepts the sponge bath at home, before you mount up and while mounted, with patient repetition.