Travelling in the heat with your horse @horseandhound

horse trav in the heat tw 20716

9 tips for travelling in the heat with your horse

Travelling horses in hot weather

World Horse Welfare campaigns officer for research and education, Hannah Westen, gives her top tips for keeping horses hydrated when travelling by road.

1. Do your homework

If at all possible try to plan your travel around the weather conditions and avoid travelling during high temperatures and high humidity. If it is unavoidable pick the times of day when it’s likely to be coolest – setting off a bit earlier or later will make the experience much more pleasant for both you and your horse.

2. Plan ahead

Before setting off, it’s important to ensure horses are fully hydrated by providing them with unrestricted access to forage and water for at least six hours with plenty of space to rest and relax.

3. Prepare for the worst

Whilst it sounds pessimistic, when travelling by road you just never know when or for how long you might get held up, so make sure you have plenty of forage and water on board to keep your horses happy and healthy.

4. Provide good quality forage

Access to quality forage will not only maintain a healthy digestive system and provide an ongoing source of energy but also creates a small reservoir of fluid in the horse’s gut to help keep them hydrated.

5. Stick to frequent watering intervals

Horses should be offered water at least every four and a half hours whilst travelling, or more frequently in hot weather conditions.

6. Make water tempting

Anyone who has offered their horse a drink in an unfamiliar place will know that horses can be choosy about the type of container they will drink from and the taste of the water, but it’s important to stress that this doesn’t mean they’re not thirsty. If possible, try and take water from home and provide it in a bucket they are used to drinking from. In addition it’s always beneficial to familiarise them to different containers in case you can’t take your own. You can also try flavouring the water with apple juice.

7. Minimise stress

Horses can become dehydrated more quickly when they are stressed or unsettled so try to minimise this wherever possible. Loading and unloading are two of the main stressors for horses when travelling so make sure you do as much as you can to keep the process calm and relaxed. Practicing often without the pressure of heading to a show or event will help it become second nature and when you are on a schedule leave plenty of time to load. Ensure the vehicle is well ventilated and drive carefully to make the journey as comfortable as possible.

8. Prepare for the arrival

As with pre-planning before a journey, it’s just as important to give plentiful forage and water upon arrival at your destination. If you’re travelling to a show or event then make sure your horse has time to relax, eat and drink before competing or beginning exercise.

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9. Know the signs of dehydration

Whilst a dehydrated horse can deteriorate quickly, dehydration can be very hard to spot so make sure you know what signs to look out for and can act fast if required. Indicators include depression, lethargy, dullness in eyes, decreased appetite, lack of or infrequent urination or defecation, licking surfaces, abnormal drinking behaviour such as drinking for extended periods of time, taking long draughts or gulping water.

Find out more at www.worldhorsewelfare.org

Rachel Allen’s Rhubarb Bread and Butter Pudding

rachels-mendiants-23117

Serves 4-6

You will need:

  • 450g (1lb) rhubarb, cut into 1cm (less than ½in) slices
  • 150g (5oz) caster sugar
  • 50g (2oz) butter, softened
  • 12 slices of white bread, crusts removed
  • 350ml (12fl oz) cream
  • 350ml (12fl oz) milk
  • 4 eggs
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Icing sugar, for dusting
  • Softly whipped cream, to serve

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

http://www.rachelallen.com/post/rhubarb-bread-and-butter-pudding

 

 

“You need to work on fitness, nutrition, have a positive mindset and be resilient.” @AineOConnor91 Jockey. @TheIrishField

The Irish Field

@TheIrishField

·

Did you know accomplished amateur rider

@AineOConnor91

is now working at RACE? Read all about it in The Irish Field this weekend.

 
 
 

 
The Irish Field
 
@TheIrishField

 

Did you know accomplished amateur rider

is now working at RACE? Read all about it in The Irish Field this weekend.

Rachel Allen’s Rhubarb Bread and Butter Pudding

rachels-mendiants-23117

Serves 4-6

You will need:

  • 450g (1lb) rhubarb, cut into 1cm (less than ½in) slices
  • 150g (5oz) caster sugar
  • 50g (2oz) butter, softened
  • 12 slices of white bread, crusts removed
  • 350ml (12fl oz) cream
  • 350ml (12fl oz) milk
  • 4 eggs
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Icing sugar, for dusting
  • Softly whipped cream, to serve

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

http://www.rachelallen.com/post/rhubarb-bread-and-butter-pudding

 

 

Rachel’s Rhubarb Bread and Butter Pudding

rachels-mendiants-23117

Serves 4-6

You will need:

  • 450g (1lb) rhubarb, cut into 1cm (less than ½in) slices
  • 150g (5oz) caster sugar
  • 50g (2oz) butter, softened
  • 12 slices of white bread, crusts removed
  • 350ml (12fl oz) cream
  • 350ml (12fl oz) milk
  • 4 eggs
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Icing sugar, for dusting
  • Softly whipped cream, to serve

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

Scatter the sliced rhubarb in a 25cm (10in) square ovenproof dish or a similar-sized dish, and sprinkle over half (75g (2½ oz)) of the caster sugar. Toss together and then leave the rhubarb to sit for about 30 minutes to soften a little.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4. Butter the slices of white bread and arrange four slices, butter side down, in the ovenproof dish. Scatter over half of the sliced rhubarb and top with four more slices of bread, again with the butter side down. Repeat with another layer of sliced rhubarb and another layer of buttered bread, then add a final layer of sliced rhubarb and finish with a layer of buttered bread, ensuring that the bread is placed with the buttered side down.

Put the cream and the milk in a saucepan and bring it just to the boil. While it is coming to the boil, in a bowl, whisk the eggs, the pinch of salt and the remaining 75g (2½ oz) of caster sugar. As you continue to whisk, pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the egg, salt and caster sugar mixture until it is well mixed. Pour this custard over the slices of bread in the dish and leave to soak for 10 minutes. Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top.

Put the dish into a deep-sided baking tray and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dish (this is known as a bain-marie). Put it in the oven to bake for 45-50 minutes or until it is just set in the centre. Remove it from the oven and serve with a light dusting of icing sugar and softly whipped cream.

http://www.rachelallen.com/post/rhubarb-bread-and-butter-pudding