Ridecamp: [RC] Keeping horse's cool

 any suggestions or products that help keep a 
> horse cooler when it is hot out.I do keep her clipped but we need  some
extra help.I heard there is a saddle pad that had a cooling  agent in
it.Has anyone heard of it ?

Learn to sponge on the fly and DO IT.

ALWAYS hug the shade. I'm amazed how many riders will trot downt the
middle of the road when there's a little shade on the edge they're
wasting.

Take a little extra time at a creek and sponge long enough to get their
CORE temperature down.  That means, the skin starts to *stay* cool even
after you stop sponging.

Set up your vet check in the shade. If there's not any MAKE some. (Thus
the Biltmore tent city)  You can get a pretty cheap little tarp shelter
at Walmart.

If the shade comes and goes, go FAST in the sun and slower in the shade. 
I know that sounds weird, but the idea is to spend more time in the
shade.

When you sponge in camp, use a scraper to wipe the hot water off before
you put on more cool water.

If it's hot enough I use ice water on the neck and legs. Still don't like
to put it on the belly.

I don't like putting towels or anything on the horse.  Try it on
yourself, it will keep you warm.

Get a pad that doesn't cover any more area than necessary.  

Do not let their core temperature build up.  If you don't have access to
lots of cold water, WALK up big hills.  Going at a good trot up one hill
climb will send that temp guage right up into the red and you cannot get
it back down.

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