After exercise in winter

[lifebeginz]

First of all - very excited to discover mumsnet tack room......how did I not know about this.....looking for some advice. I am exercising a horse for a friend just now and the temperature here has dropped quite a bit. I ride in the evenings and he is then stabled overnight. I am wondering now that there is a frost what is the best way to regulate his temperature after exercise (in an outdoor school) We aren't doing anything too strenous as he is just coming back into work so walk and trot only but he can get quite sweaty (he is clipped and rugges indoors overnight) I will obviously be down a longer cool down at the end of our ride but when I bring him in is it best to quarter him before rugging fully to cool him back down without him getting chilled?

Mine would cool down with a thermatex over he quarters then sponged off and a thermatex put on until dry

Is he fully clipped? If he is getting that sweaty, just walking and trotting, I'd think he needs a bit more off.

After cooling down under saddle, I try to walk mine off in hand until their breathing is completely returned to normal and they are cool without being cold - usually takes about 10 mins depending on how hot they were to start with. I then brush off any dried sweat using a straw wisp or a stiff brush - I never use water/sponge or a body brush in winter. Then I put on the stable rug if they are wearing one although mine mainly live out so have turnouts instead.

In very cold weather I'll throw a wicking-action sweat rug over them during the walking and/or brushing stages but if they are unclipped their coat should do the insulating work for you - in my unscientific view the important thing is to keep them moving as long as possible rather than allowing them to stand or putting into the stable before fully cooled off.