Kimberly Dey on Horseback Riding: Before and After Care

The Importance of Grooming and Caring for Your Horse After Riding by Kimberly Dey

For Kimberly Dey, one of the biggest and most common mistakes that riders make when taking their horse out for a ride is skipping grooming. Skipping this step before riding is dangerous for both rider and horse. Here she talks about the importance of grooming and shares a few care tips before and after a ride.

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Before taking your horse out for a ride, make sure to groom your horse, paying close attention to the girth area and back. This step removes debris from the horse’s coat, which helps ensure that your horse stays comfortable during your ride. Any discomfort that your horse may feel from the debris, like chaffing, could cause irritability, which in turn could lead the horse into misbehaving. This is a risk you can avoid with proper grooming, says Kimberly Dey. Make sure too, to check his hooves. Remove any dirt or debris and make sure that the horseshoes are firmly secured. For your safety, groom before you ride.

When you’re about to end your ride, gradually decrease your pace to allow the horse to cool down. You can get down from your horse and walk him the rest of the way. When you’ve come to a full stop, do not immediately take your back to the stable. Give some time to allow him to calm down after a vigorous ride.

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After the ride, your horse will feel hot and thirsty so be sure to give him a bucket of water, says Kimberly Dey. Your horse may have worked up an appetite as well so give him his feed after he has quenched his thirst.

Lastly, groom your horse after your ride. This will not only remove any grit or debris from his coat but also it can help soothe and relax him. It’s also a great way to show your appreciation to your beloved equine after a good ride, Kimberly Dey shares.