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Ideas for Keeping Cool at a Horse Show

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  • Ideas for Keeping Cool at a Horse Show

    This probably seems pretty basic, but I'm desperate for ideas I have not thought of. I'm very prone to migraines and horse show days are my most reliable trigger, and the hotter the day the worse it is.

    Well Saturday I'm taking my green OTTB to his first show and its supposed to hit the 90s. Instead of looking forward to it, I'm dreading spending the entire day hot and miserable.

    I'm not looking for suggestions on meds or anything, as I've read the migraine thread over in the disabilities forum. I'm rather looking for suggestions on how others handle hot horse show days.

    What do you drink? I try to chug as much water as I can but wonder if there is something else I could try. Gatorade never did much. I try to eat also, although that gets hard once I get nauseous.

    I'm going to buy a personal fan-mister and try using that in between classes and see if it helps. No grooms and we hold the horses the whole day since it will be too hot on trailer, so there is a lot of down time but not a lot of it spent without a horse on a lead (no sitting for ten minutes in an air conditioned car, which I've done before.)

    Any advice you guys have would be much appreciated!

  • #2
    I drink water before I get on. I also freeze dampened washcloths and put them around my neck afterwards. Stay in the shade as much as possible. If I can hose off the horse, I put it on my head afterward.

    I bring my own lunch so I don't have to eat greasy horse show food. Fruit salad is a favourite.

    Acclimatizing myself and my horse beforehand also seems to help, so for a recent show, I made a point of riding during a fairly hot period of the day beforehand.

    Comment


    • #3
      This is tricky. I know you're already going to the show, and I'll give you some things I think might work in the next paragraph, but: is there any way you could avoid showing without a groom in the future? If you know you get migrains, it could actually be worth paying to have someone else do all the prepping so you can focus on yourself until it's time to hop on and show. Even then, consider only showing when the weather is going to be nice and cool (do spring and fall and skip summer shows). If your horse needs experience, for the really hot shows, consider having your trainer show for you. If you are miserable and in pain, there is no way you will give your horse good trips in the ring, and the money spent on the show is essentially worthless.

      Some things you can do this weekend are pack a large ice chest with lots of ice, water bottles, a few bottles of gatorade (you will need to keep electrolytes flowing), some fresh fruit (to keep your blood sugar up), and some sandwiches with meat in them (protien will help keep you going when it's hot). Don't load the fruit up with sugar or whipped cream, and avoid putting lots of mayo/barbeque sauce/dressing on the sandwiches, as the fat in them may make you even more nauseaus. (My sandwiches usually consist of whole grain bread (because complex carbohydrates keep you going longer), lettuce, tomato, turkey, chicken, or ham, and a thin slice of cheese). Just avoid fatty/junk foods in general (don't stop by the show snack shack) as these do nothing for your body and can hinder your performance.

      Keep some clothes wrapped in plastic and bury them in the ice, when you get too hot and sticky, change outfits. Stick a bandana uncovered down in the ice, to get wet and cold so you can tie it around your neck. Wear a hat, dark sunglasses, and lots of sunscreen, and try to stay in the shade as much as possible (your horses will like this too!)

      Above all, if it gets too hot, scratch and go home. It's not good for your horses to show in extreme heat either!

      Good luck, I hope you have a good show!

      Comment


      • #4
        I borrowed a friend's pop-up tent for my HT this past weekend, and having that little 10x10 bit of shade made a huge difference when it's 90. The horse was tied to the trailer three feet away from me, with hay and water, but I was in the shade, with a nice icy cooler full of drinks (water, Gatorade, and my favorite, Hawaiian Punch). Keeping a towel or bandana in the cooler to wipe off with between phases/rounds/classes/whatever makes a huge difference, too. Putting some ice in the wash water helps, too, because you end up getting some cold water on you while you're rinsing off, and my horse, at least post-XC, seemed to appreciate it.
        A Year In the Saddle

        Comment


        • #5
          Following up on bluebuckets' thought, is there a competent teen at your barn (lessoner or boarder who won't be showing this weekend) who could be your assistant/horse holder? If a lessoner, perhaps offer a lesson (not with you, with his/her regular trainer!) in payment - along with food $$.

          Other than that, definitely the cold washcloth/bandana around the neck except when you're in the ring. I'd also put something cold around lower arms/wrists.

          And horse would probably appreciate a wet bath towel-sized 'collar', too!

          Best of luck!

          Carol
          www.ayliprod.com
          Equine Photography in the Northeast

          Comment

          • Original Poster

            #6
            Originally posted by bluebuckets View Post
            is there any way you could avoid showing without a groom in the future? If you know you get migrains, it could actually be worth paying to have someone else do all the prepping so you can focus on yourself until it's time to hop on and show. Even then, consider only showing when the weather is going to be nice and cool (do spring and fall and skip summer shows). If your horse needs experience, for the really hot shows, consider having your trainer show for you. If you are miserable and in pain, there is no way you will give your horse good trips in the ring, and the money spent on the show is essentially worthless.
            Unfortunately I've had to get very good at showing with migraines and I don't think it affects my riding. I've had some beautiful trips hours before I'm home throwing up.

            There isn't anyone else who can show my horse for me, and my barn really doesn't show much outside the summer. I might consider paying a local, younger barn kid to groom for me in the future but I'm a college student so money is tight.


            Originally posted by JenEM View Post
            I borrowed a friend's pop-up tent for my HT this past weekend, and having that little 10x10 bit of shade made a huge difference when it's 90. The horse was tied to the trailer three feet away from me, with hay and water, but I was in the shade, with a nice icy cooler full of drinks (water, Gatorade, and my favorite, Hawaiian Punch). Keeping a towel or bandana in the cooler to wipe off with between phases/rounds/classes/whatever makes a huge difference, too. Putting some ice in the wash water helps, too, because you end up getting some cold water on you while you're rinsing off, and my horse, at least post-XC, seemed to appreciate it.
            Its funny, I did my first local event a month ago and our trainer brought a pop-up tent which ended up being so helpful. I will definitely talk to my trainer and see if we can bring it again this weekend! I really should buy a cooler as well to fill with ice and keep a change of shirt in there as well as a bandana or hand towel. Thats a great idea, thanks.

            Comment


            • #7
              I have some small (maybe 5"x5") battery powered fans that I bring and set up at our base camp, and down at the ring. They are super quiet so they *shouldn't* bother most horses. My old man is very appreciative of them, especially on days when the air seems to not be moving.
              There's coffee in that nebula.

              Comment


              • #8
                Shade. Water. Shed the show jacket when nessiccary, and if they waive it I DON'T wear it. I also have an awesome Cool Max type show shirt that is a super savior!
                www.thetexasequestrian.com

                Comment


                • #9
                  I got salt pills at my local pharmacy which I take on days where I know I'm going to be sweating a lot. I don't know if they actually do that much, but I at least feel like I'm doing something...

                  I drink Gatorade religiously, too.
                  http://www.youtube.com/user/supershorty628
                  Proudly blogging for The Chronicle of the Horse!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Kool-tie. It's a patented bandanna with special beads that hold water, which slowly evaporates while you wear it.

                    I know, I wouldn't have believed it either, until I saw my Ironman Hubby using them religiously.

                    The caveat is, they work better in dry climates

                    Available at REI.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I get migraines too and I don't leave home without my pop up tent. Sunglasses and hats trigger headaches for me, and so does wearing my hair up. So nothing on my head at all, and I stay in the shade and sit down. I would try the fan mister. Take your helmet off as soon as you get off your horse. I usually pre-medicate with motrin even before I get a headache because I know I will get one no matter what happens.

                      I like the gatorade or powerade, but I buy the G2's or zeros, or the Zero vitamin water. Stuff with no sugar or barely any at all. Some sort of ice pack to put around my neck if needed, a flexible one. I also like the Arizona green tea single powder mixes. They are sugar free and you mix it with a bottle of water. I don't like sweet drinks and this seems to quench my thirst. Not sure if you will like the taste of it or not. They say to drink something with a little lemon or lime to help hydrate you better. So maybe some lemon in your water?

                      I make sure I eat in the morning. I have a funny stomach. I can't eat too early. I don't like eating before I ride because it might not stay down. I usually bring fruit, like peaches are really good because they are juicy and seem to give me the boost I need. Also granola bars with lots of peanuts in them. Planters sells some good ones. And a good turkey and cheese sandwich. If I don't eat at the right time I will get sick to my stomach. It has taken me 20 years to figure this all out.
                      Derby Lyn Farms Website

                      Derby Lyn Farms on Facebook!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I get heat stroke easily and have found somethings that work well for me. Freeze some grapes - they taste great when frozen and help cool you off. I also open some of the vitamin waters and pour off a bit and then freeze the bottle - when frozen I put the cap back on and am good to go. I even do this on really hot days when I ride mid afternoon and have to pack up in the morning - the bottle stay cool and when I get to the barn it is a slushy and so refreshing - it was not in a cooler all day but in my hot car!
                        I also like watermelon and peaches cut up into small pieces.

                        I also hose off my head periodically during the day and use the cold wash clothes to refresh myself if I am at a show. Put a visor on and I am good to go - I find that baseball caps trap the heat so I am a visor girl.

                        At shows I try to ride in the morning classes versus afternoon. My trainer used to joke about my always riding in the morning but my horse was able to do hunters or jumpers so did whichever was early at that show.

                        Good luck - lots of good suggestions.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I absolutely agree about freezing some wet towels, keep them in a cooler, and drape them around your neck. Also, you can wipe your face off with them, and place them on the small of your back. I find the best types are the thin, cotton william sonoma dish towels.

                          Pretty much everything we did last wekeend when it was broiling hot in GA is already on previous posts. I did ditch my coat when they waived them, even though vanity made me want to wear it. Thank God I did - I think I would have passed out if I'd had my coat on.
                          Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion.... ~ Emerson

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I have a friend who swears by coconut water. You can get it everywhere, even in cute little juice boxes! She passed out at a horse show of sun stroke and has been fine ever since she started bringing the coconut water along.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I read an interesting article about marathon runners keeping cool, and it was a true research article. The runner (test subject) swallowed an internal thermometer and the researchers would run next to him at various points through out the race to determine his internal temperature.

                              They found that if the runners started off the race with cooler internal temperatures, they suffered less effects of the heat + exertion. They used Slurpees! Subject drank water before bed, woke up and ate/drank, then snagged a Slurpee en route to the race. Race was held in Texas.
                              COTH's official mini-donk enabler

                              "I am all for reaching out, but in some situations it needs to be done with a rolled up news paper." Alagirl

                              Comment


                              • #16
                                Originally posted by Rel6 View Post

                                Its funny, I did my first local event a month ago and our trainer brought a pop-up tent which ended up being so helpful. I will definitely talk to my trainer and see if we can bring it again this weekend! I really should buy a cooler as well to fill with ice and keep a change of shirt in there as well as a bandana or hand towel. Thats a great idea, thanks.
                                Dick's has the tents on sale this week; I just picked up one for myself for around $60 Might be a good investment, since you know you have heat issues and will be doing a lot of summer showing. I think I saw coolers on sale, too. While I have a few of the softer cooler-bag type things, having a big, hard-sized wheelie type cooler that can double as a bench/table/footrest is great. It also seems to keep stuff colder much longer, and I don't have to worry about the whole thing getting banged around in the back of the truck!

                                Ditto also the recommendation on freezing some of the drinks. I usually fill a Nalgene bottle half full, freeze it, and add cold water in the morning. I left my house at 8 this weekend, and there was still ice waiting for me in those at the end of my ride at 5:30 this weekend
                                A Year In the Saddle

                                Comment


                                • #17
                                  my experience preventing sun stroke is to make sure I am hydrated the day before and coming up to the event. Once I am at the show it is too late and I am trying to catch up and will never get ahead. Pato

                                  Comment


                                  • #18
                                    I get migraines with heat, stress, and (most importantly) hydration being big triggers for me. I love all the ideas everyone has already given. My two cents....

                                    Water is great and definitely go that route, but something along the lines of Gatorate (with electrolytes) is incredibly important too when you're sweating that much. Also - similar to what someone said above, get rest and take care of yourself the day before. Fatigue can play a big role. If you can, have a friend there who can just hand you water/Gatorade between rounds, hand you a icy towel, etc. It doesn't have to be someone who can handle the horse at all, but can help take care of YOU. At one of my last shows, none of my "horse-knowledgeable" friends/barn-mates could make it (or they were showing themselves), but my mother could. My mother is wonderful but she knows NOTHING about horses. It was great though because she could take my coat when coats got waived mid-way through my division and hold my Gatorade for me so I had it between classes. I did make the mistake of asking her to hold my gelding while I tacked him up and he totally intimidated her. I just ended holding him myself while throwing the saddle on . If you have someone like that - ASK THEM!

                                    Comment

                                    • Original Poster

                                      #19
                                      Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! As a junior I would just grin and bear it, barely eating or drinking and staying up late the night before.

                                      Now I'm more serious about taking care of myself (even though my junior days are only a few years behind me) and realize I owe it to me greenie to feel the best that I can. Starting off hydrated and cool makes a lot of sense. I'm definitely going to buy a cooler and bring frozen towels, snack, water/sports drink bottles, etc.

                                      Really guys this has given me a ton of great ideas to try out!

                                      Comment


                                      • #20
                                        I get a box of baby wipes to wipe down my face and neck..They are refreshing and also serve double duty to remove horse show sweat and grime... Frozen grapes are great!! I have a little cooler (I got it at seven 11) and I fill it with icy drinks...They other thing I tend to drink at shows is seltzer....something about the cold fizz is refreshing. The other thing that works well is a bottle of alcohol...If I get super hot I spray some rubbing alcohol on the back of my neck...since it evaporates faster, it cools much more than water...I ONLY use it on the back of neck or arms (and use body lotion when I get home!!!) Freeze lots of bottles of water so you always have cold water to drink....

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