We all have our own ways of describing Tuesday's weather but, when you're horse back, it may seem a little hotter. Ashley Aikens is competing in this year's House Mountain Horse Show and says “it's hot, I mean, that's the only way to describe it, it's hot and sweaty. It's fun but it's hard work."
The competitors were trying everything from a hose bath and fans to even offering bottled water to their horses to keep cool. Aikens explains, “I have a break for a couple of hours, so I can come home and completely hose him off so he can get cool and get water and have the fan on him some."
Riders say ideal temperatures for competitions like this are the mid 60s to low 70s while the horses prefer the 20s to mid 50s. Co-manager of the show, Sandy Gerald says they've had some people drop out because of the heat, while others are cutting back. "Well, I think it probably has made people consider exactly how much they want to do with their horses today and take the necessary precautions."
As a precaution the judges have chosen to alter Tuesday's uniform. Gerald explains, “Today we have excused jackets because of the heat, so it looks a little less formal."
This was a change they were willing to sacrifice as Lexington spent Tuesday afternoon in the mid 90s.
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