5 Essentials for Spring Horse Care

The birds are chirping, the days are longer and flowers are starting to spring out of the ground. It’s that time of year, we are climbing out of winter and entering spring. Show season is within sight and so is the opportunity to ride outside comfortably again! 

So, what are your 5 essentials for equine care in the spring? Check out our list below and let us know what you think:

1. Fly control: warm weather creates the need for fly control in the pasture or during your ride. Make sure your horse is protected from biting insects and pests by your trusted fly spray like our Fly Bye! Plus.
2. Pasture Turnout and Grazing Management: the transition from hay to warmer season grasses full of nutrition has most horses yearning for more time on grass. However, make sure to slowly introduce horses back to grass a little bit more each day.
3. Farm Management: check your fences and check them again! The winter can do odd things to wood and synthetic material. Our regimen is to walk our fenceline often to keep branches, foreign objects and to identify damage quickly so it can get fixed. Stay vigilant and keep an eye on fences beyond looking at them during turnout. 
4. Mud Mitigation: they say spring showers bring May flowers. That may be true, but we think spring showers bring mud and thick muck. Wet conditions degrade pastures and if severe can cause dangerous conditions. Keep a dry paddock to keep your pastures from degrading during wet conditions. Also, keep an eye on hoof health and for skin fungal growths. Our go to management for scratches and fungal growth is Muck Off! Simply roll the product on and keep your horse protected from equine dermatitis issues. 
5. Preparing for riding outdoors: if you find that most of your riding has been done in a covered or indoor arena for the winter, give your horse a boost of confidence before jumping on for the first trail or outdoor arena ride. Tack up and walk them in the area you plan on riding in. Sites and sounds could be new all over again.