What are you doing this holiday season for your BFF of the equine kind? Here are five ideas for celebrating winter holidays with your horse. Use one or all five, your horse will thank you.
- GO ON A SNOWY RIDE. Winter riding can be a lot of fun, but you've got to make sure the conditions are right. It shouldn't be too cold or too warm, and you don't want any ice on the ground either. Powdery snow and well groomed trails work best for this adventure. Also, make sure to groom your equine buddy thoroughly before heading out into the snow, dress in warm layers, and don't forget drinking water for both you and him.
- MAKE SOME HOLIDAY HORSE TREATS. You'll be eating plenty of yummy holiday food, so make sure your horse has a tasty treat as well. Some fun seasonal treats could be Peppermint Stick Bran Mash (1 cup crushed candy canes dissolved in water, 3-5 cups bran, 1 Tbsp salt, 1 diced carrot, 1/2 cup molasses, and 2 cups sweet feed), Steamed Apple Pudding (4 cups bran, 2 apples quartered, water, and cinnamon), or you can even bake her a Christmas Cake (see recipe here).
- PICK UP A GOOD HORSE BOOK. If you don't want to go riding in the cold, get a good horse book, set up a chair in the barn, and read aloud to your horse. Even if she doesn't quite follow the plot, she'll surely enjoy your company. Can't think of a book you'd like to read? Here are some ideas.
- DECORATE HIS STALL. Yes, you can deck the stalls, but not with bows of holly. Make sure to stay away from holiday decorations that are poisonous to equines if eaten, such as mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, and the like. You never know what mischief your equine angel might get into when left unsupervised.
- DIFFUSE SEASONAL ESSENTIAL OILS. It's perfectly safe to diffuse frankincense and myrrh in your barn. Word to the wise though... Don't leave the diffuser where your horse can knock it over, and use the intermittent setting if at all possible. Most importantly, use high quality, therapeutic grade essential oils to avoid sending unwanted chemical droplets into the air together with the oil. If you've never diffused oils in the barn before, it's important you know your horse likes the scent before you do it. Like humans, animals have their scent preferences too, and you don't want to force them to inhale something they don't like.
Above all, enjoy the festive time with your loved ones, and count your blessings. Yes, you're really blessed if you have a friend of the equine kind.
Need some last minute gifts for the humans in your life? Check out the selection of pretties for stylish cowgirls in the Buckaroo Bling shop.
