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Time to roll up your sleeves – jobs you need to do during January

Sarah Jenkins Sarah Jenkins

    • We don’t mean to nag, but here are a few chores that, in an ideal world, you’ll put on your to-do list for this month...

    1. Clip your horse, then service your clippers

    It is said: “Clipping a horse in February is a really bad idea, as his summer coat will be starting to make an appearance and you’ll just go and ruin it by chopping off the tip of it.” However, that is widely disputed as an old wives’ tale — we’ll leave the final decision to you. Either way, once your clipping duties for the season are complete, don’t put the used blades away, only to get them out again in October and realise they’re completely blunt. Send them away to be sharpened now, and consider getting the clippers serviced while you’re at it.

    2. Clear out, clean up and cash in

    Let’s face it, we all have stuff we don’t need:
    ➤ The broken headcollar at the bottom of a trunk in the tackroom “just in case” it comes in handy one day — that day will never come
    ➤ Rugs that are no longer waterproof — reproof them or sling them out
    ➤ Stirrup leathers that have come unstitched — fix them or ditch them
    ➤ Take items you no longer need to the second-hand shop, car boot sale or sell them online
    ➤ Ensure your summer rugs are washed and repaired in preparation for use in a few months. There’s wishful thinking!

    3. Get geeky, get organised

    This is a fun chore. Really. Invest in a calendar, plan out your season and pin it in the tackroom. Or even better register for Equo and you can do it all on your phone. Get your competition hopes pencilled in, because if horses get wind of a championship they will throw a shoe at least. Mark on your lessons, too. This is truly motivational stuff. Book the farrier, schedule your horse’s vaccinations and set reminders to do worm counts. You’ll feel super organised.

    4. Tend to your muddy gateways

    Not quite so much fun, but your horse’s pasterns will thank you. Keeping your field gateways as dry as possible will help to fend off mud fever and thrush. Putting hardcore down prevents poaching, but recycling old shavings makes an economical temporary alternative. You could try using electric fence to protect the gateway, although this may move the poached area a few metres back and exacerbate the problem. If you have an ongoing problem, seek professional advice in time for next year.

    You may also be interested to read…

    Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

    Sarah Jenkins
    Sarah Jenkins

    H&H editor-in-chief
    Sarah has more than 20 years experience as an equestrian journalist and editor. She has reported from major championships including the Europeans and the World Equestrian Games. She has co-written books on equestrianism including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. Sarah has ridden since childhood, owned horses and ponies for over 25 years, and worked for and trained with Olympic gold medallist event rider Leslie Law prior to going to university.
    Sarah Jenkins

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