As summer slowly comes to an end, it’s always nice to step back and ask yourself how you and your horse are doing. If you have been competing, how did you do in the horse ring? Did your dressage training pay off with blue ribbons? If you were barrel racing or carriage driving, how did you fare?

For many equestrians, the summer months are highly busy. It’s really a prime time for horse back riding. But this doesn’t mean that you and your equine simply performed in the show ring and on the show circuit. It can also mean that you simply did a lot of trail riding with your horse. Or maybe you took your horse camping. Or maybe the two of you did a lot of groundwork on the lunge line.

Summer is a time of nurturing our relationship with our horses. We fine tune the communication skills that get us through the rest of the year. Yes, Fall is a wonderful season for riding – and wrapping up any competition. But winter and early spring are not far behind. That’s when we slow down, throw the horse blankets on, and start winterizing our horse/human relationship.

Late summer or early fall can be a great time to slow down and simply spend some time with our herd – whether it’s a single mare or a blend of mares, foals and even a stallion. Grab a lawn chair and head into the pasture. Bring a good book and simply spend time with your horses. Unlike dogs or cats they can’t be brought into the house, so this is a great way of spending some down time with them.

As the temperatures begin to cool, your horse will get more comfortable. There is less danger of overheating. So in that respect, it can be a great way to begin some real training. Maybe you want to teach your horse to bow. Or maybe you simply want him or her to get used to backing up. Or it could be as simple as needing them to better lift their foot on command so you can pick their hoof.

Simple exercises like that – the hoof lifting bit – can be really useful because you want your horse to participate in its care. Keeping their feet clean is essential to avoid any dangerous hoof ailments.

Speaking of ailments, Fall is a great time to give your horse a good checkup. Have the veterinarian come by and review the shots list. Have you give your horse all the equine vaccinations that it needs? Got any concerns you want looked at? This sort of thing – including bringing an equine dentist or farrier on site to deal with any issues – can be a real blessing before the snow falls

Make sure the barn is ready for winter. Do you have all the winter tack prepared and set aside? Do you need to fill any chinks to cut down on drafts? Do the water heaters work? This is a good time to begin slowly walking through that process, making sure that your horse is going to be comfortable throughout the winter.

If you have children – or you like to have your horse play with kids – then this is also the best time to nurture that relationship. Children can handle the cold, but it’s so much nicer to ride or take lessons when the weather is crisp and clear. It is so much more welcoming!

If you are thinking of buying a new horse, you might want to hold off on that decision. Evaluating a new addition to the herd can be complicated in the late fall or early winter. And you want to give yourself – and your other horses – a chance to really interact with the new member under ideal conditions. That is, an open pasture, plenty of access to water and feed. Even though prices are sometimes a real bargain at this time of year, think carefully before you move forward.

Another thing to consider is to check up on your business. Are you giving lessons? Running a stable? Have you had an accountant give your books the once-over? This is a good time to begin tying up loose ends and thinking about the tax season that is literally right around the corner.

In short, as summer ends, take advantage of the lovely weather. Hop on your horse and explore some new trails. Get together with friends and share your love of horses. But you also want to get ready to hunker down for the upcoming cold months. Things slow down in the winter! You and your horse will be happy that you got ready before the snowy cold started blowing.