Did you know that there's a really easy way to cut down on the numbers of flies that pester your horse in the barn or stable? And - better yet - you have this natural resource right at your fingertips.

So what is it?

Wind.

That's right - flies and gnats don't like wind, so if you can get air moving through the stable, it will encourage those bugs to move on outta there. The trick is that you want to create a steady breeze throughout the day. How do you do that?

Barn Construction
Good air circulation through your barn begins with the barn's construction. Yes, if your barn is already built then you're probably out of luck on this front, but it's good information to know in case you ever build a barn from scratch. When building your barn, be sure to include large barn doors that can be fully opened. Maximize the number of windows installed - ideally include one window per stall. Additional measures, like vents under the roof or additional doors on the side of the barn, can help to bring more air into the barn.

Open Windows
During the summer, open up all of the windows and doors that you can. This includes the barn doors. Be sure that windows are safely secured and/or grated to keep your horse safe. If you're worried about leaving the barn doors open overnight because of the possibility of escaped horses, then set up a few lengths of rope or 2x4 wood lengths that can be placed across the doorway to keep the horses contained in the barn.

Open Stalls
Even if you get a good current of air moving through the barn, it won't do your horse much good if it can't get into his stall. Stalls with more open construction, such as those that feature stall bars or grates on their top portions, naturally allow more air to circulate. To maximize air circulation in your horse's stall, consider using a stall guard or stall door grate so that your horse's door can essentially be open, allowing air to freely flow into his stall.

Fans
Fans can also help to circulate air in the stable, but be careful whenever using fans. Only use fans in your barn that are manufactured specifically for barn and outdoor use. These fans have fully enclosed motors, unlike fans produced for household use. Household fans have motors that can quickly become choked by the dust of a stable, which can cause their motors to burn out. If the motor burns out, pieces of that hot motor can drop down onto bedding, starting a fire.

In addition to only using fans made for barn use, be sure that all of your barn's wiring is up to code. Check that the outlets, the cords, and the fans themselves are well out of reach of a curious horse.

Do the flies have you and your horse down? Increase the air circulation through your barn and you should see a decrease in your fly problem.

Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/olocaudigital/10106250405

Have you ever kept a riding journal? Even if journaling isn’t quite up your alley, there are many benefits to keeping a riding journal. It only takes a few minutes and it doesn’t even have to be a daily activity - you can keep a journal dedicated only to lessons, only to shows, or even only to what you think are significant achievements in your riding. If you’re not yet keeping a riding journal, here’s why you might want to.

Track Your Development as a Rider
Having a written record of your learning and development as a rider is priceless. By journaling your growing knowledge, horsemanship, and ability as a rider, you’ll be able to look back and see your progress over the years. This is invaluable in the sport of horseback riding, where so often we can work for days and weeks and even months on end without seeing sudden significant progress. Being able to look back and see your development through your own words can really drive home just how far you have come, which can be especially important and comforting on days when riding just doesn’t seem to be going well.

Mark Important Days and Significant Achievements
Do you remember the first time you trotted a horse? How about the first time you jumped? Your first trail ride? Depending on how long ago these events happened, they may be starting to fade from your memory. By writing about them, you’ll be able to relive them and reflect on them and how much they meant to you as a rider. Reading your journal entries can take you back to the excitement and elation you felt on special days in your riding career.

Record Information on Your Horse’s Physical Condition
It can be hard to remember little bumps and bruises that your horse has here and there, but months or years later those little ailments might be significant. As you chronicle your journey with your horse through a riding journal, you’re also creating a pretty detailed record of your horse’s health and any physical issues. This can be a valuable tool in looking back at your horse’s physical history over the years.

Chronicle Your Relationship with Your Horse
Relationships with horses are funny things. They’re constantly developing, deepening, and changing. Your relationship with your horse five years ago is very different from your relationship with him today. Reading over your journal entries will drive that home and help you to see just how much you and your horse have developed. Our time with our horses is precious - when we no longer have our horses with us, our journals chronicling our journeys with them become very precious.

And don’t forget, journals provide great ways to remind yourself of the wise words of your trainers and of lessons that you need to remember. Are you keeping a riding journal yet? If not, are you going to start?

Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/waltstoneburner/7946581522/in/photolist-d7diQf-dGwfTC-fLxNPB-5ZWrFK-bzW9T1-zTeKG-716HuH-659EkA-7Heh2K-5pirmb-6NwAjq-btYhQV-7GJLT5-8fQsXR-gTsdu-daQimU-fgXPUz-9ikhm7-9dvYF-bLPEDH-9dxoG-7hfMCu-9W3bLG-9YvpG-4UzbFD-9gLEn9-bSHoLz-7MMSrV-6kEVGs-5iRM9t-8oH5qt-u8QPh-6vabe9-6KVGw-i9SXAF-adTyN-5PhwSc-5UQTXF-6gqqsy-7uJdPA-7DHi1J-7rZSAo-t3j7g-4VfejV-8USsk6-7R5s5E-bDFhqq-nyiu5o-74AeT4-9nK9Je