J Reichel Riding

With the frigid temps this week, and so many horses being blanketed, I wanted to share the blanketing “hack” I’ve been testing out on my herd this year!

I’ve attached these adhesive thermometers to the inside of all of my horses’ blankets. I place them higher up on the blanket, usually along the barrel or back. I do this to measure the temperature between horse and the blanket.

My wooly, well acclimated horses typically enjoy being in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s, while my thinner-coated OTTB and Standardbred enjoy being in the 70’s.

While this doesn’t measure their actual temperature, it’s allowing me to monitor whether I’m over or under blanketing, while also giving me some peace of mind that they aren’t shivering under their layers.

It’s also super affordable to do! I buy them in bulk on Amazon, stick them to some Gorilla tape, and then to the inside of whatever blanket they have on. I’ve only had one or two fall off out of 20+ blankets since I started this in October.

I hope this helps some people feel a bit better about their babies in these temps!

Another great year with our Halloween Fun show! The costume class gets harder and harder to judge every year! It made me so happy to see everyone having fun, working together with their equine partner, and cheering each other on. I can’t wait until our next one!

Get off the horse.

When they’re struggling, when you’re having a bad ride. When their antics are scaring you.

Don’t be afraid to get off.

You aren’t “letting them win” because the horse is not your adversary.

It is not you versus your horse.

It’s you and your horse versus the problem.

And many times, getting off and going back to groundwork can be incredibly beneficial for helping your horse through their struggles.

If they’re scared, having you there beside them on the ground instead of on top of them can bring them confidence.

If you’re scared whilst riding them, getting off the ground lowers your anxiety and likely, also your horses.

The “ride through it” mentality is primarily for human ego and negates the benefit of groundwork.

You don’t need to ride through it.

Sometimes doing so is stupid and dangerous.

Sometimes doing so is traumatic for the horse.

So, don’t be afraid to get off.

Don’t be afraid to take a break.

Don’t be afraid to work through the issues on the ground.

You don’t need to be “tough” and ride through it.

Softness and patience have value and merit.

Oftentimes, the last thing a stressed flight animal needs is toughness and force.

Giving them patience and remaining by their side as a supportive companion is more beneficial than you might imagine.

The mentality of always riding through antics and always getting back on after a fall is a harmful one.

There’s a quote “you’re either going to the hospital or getting back on, hospital or on” that I’ve seen many proudly share.

You can be injured without needing a hospital visit.

Your horse can be fried and not in a place to learn following a fall.

Honouring your horse and yourself by having the humility to know when to stop is a strength, not a weakness.

So, don’t be afraid to get off your horse.

“Riding through it” is not the flex people think it is.