County Line Stables

07/27/2025

Thanks to Heather Ashby Photography for this cool video and for capturing Martina Rose Coppola and “Storm” with another great run last night at Pond Hill Ranch and bringing home some 💰 too!

07/18/2025

Truth!

07/04/2025

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! From all of us here at County Line Stables
Martina Rose Coppola JeanMarie Coppola Pasquale Coppola

07/03/2025

Not every run may go as you had hoped it would … but you can learn from it…
no matter what.. never give up😉

06/30/2025

We just had this conversation a few days ago and this article showed up so I thought I would share in case you didn’t know.🏇

Sweat Scraping Horses During Cool-Down: Why the Myth Persists and What Science Says

For generations, horse owners and many professionals have followed the traditional practice of sweat scraping — using a rubber or metal tool to remove excess sweat or water from a horse's coat after exercise. One of the most enduring beliefs tied to this practice is that you must sweat scrape to help your horse cool down properly, especially after hosing them off in hot weather. But is this actually true?

Let’s take a closer look at the origins of this belief, what modern science says, and whether sweat scraping is still necessary.

The Origin of the Myth
The myth likely stems from a time before we understood thermoregulation in horses. It was commonly believed that leaving water or sweat on a horse would trap heat and slow cooling. Sweat scraping became routine, especially in barns without good airflow or with heavy-coated horses that took longer to dry.

The logic seemed sound: remove moisture quickly to speed up cooling and prevent chills or overheating. Over time, this practice turned into a widely accepted rule — even though equine science has since moved on. I actually remember having to do it for my BHS exam.

What Really Happens When You Hose Off a Hot Horse
When a hot horse is sprayed with cool water, the water absorbs body heat and then carries it away as it runs off or evaporates. This is the primary method by which water cools the horse — not by being scraped off immediately.

Key point: The cooling effect comes from the transfer of heat from the horse to the water, not from how fast you dry the horse.

In fact, studies (including those conducted by the University of Queensland and other equine researchers) have found that continuously applying cool water over the horse’s body is the most effective method of reducing core temperature — especially during hot and humid weather. This technique is used in endurance riding, racing, and eventing, where managing a horse’s temperature is critical.

Should You Still Sweat Scrape?

The short answer: Not necessarily — and certainly not to help cooling.

Here’s when you might still want to sweat scrape:

• To remove excess water after hosing if it’s cool out and you want to avoid your horse staying soaked.

• To prevent water from pooling under tack or rugs.

• To help speed up drying if your horse is going back into a stall or needs to be groomed quickly.

But if your goal is cooling the horse, especially in hot conditions, scraping is not required and may actually interfere with the cooling process if it interrupts cold water application.

The Takeaway: Let Go of the Myth
Despite decades of tradition, the idea that you must sweat scrape a horse to help them cool down is outdated. Cooling a horse effectively is about keeping cold water flowing over their body, not about drying them quickly.

In fact, many top equine veterinarians now recommend leaving cold water on — and reapplying it repeatedly — during a cool-down after heavy exercise, especially in summer.

So the next time someone says, “You have to sweat scrape to help them cool down,” you can confidently — and kindly — explain that it’s no longer supported by science.

In Summary:

✅ Cold water helps cool the horse by absorbing heat.

✅ Reapplying water is more effective than scraping it off.

❌ Sweat scraping is not necessary for cooling.

✅ Scrape only if you want to speed drying or reduce discomfort ( for example some horses dont like the feel of dripping water, but most shake and have a roll afterwards ).

It's time to move beyond tradition — your horse will thank you for it.

Ft baby Moomin after his first bath 🤎

05/04/2025

Welcome to the farm little one. Dun Zippin Daphne x Badger Raises TheBar did it again! produced another gorgeous filly! I am absolutely in LOVE with her🥰

04/21/2025

It is finally time to start off our season... We want to share these great products that Martina uses from Sound Science Nutrition Horse, make sure you go to the website at https://ShopSoundScience.com and see how these products can be a game changer! Take care of your horses and help them perform at their best.
Be sure to use Coupon Code MRC-SSN at check out. Hope to see you at Midland Barrels for their first race of the season this weekend.

04/20/2025

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Easter 🐣

04/13/2025

With hopes of better weather ….

02/22/2025

Amazing how technology has advanced in genetics… we tested our filly Dixie” CLS PEPS LILSUNFROST shortly after birth to determine if she was Cremello or Perlino because the only true way to determine a double dilute is through testing. Any guess what she is?

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆!🧬 🐴
Did you know that genetic testing can be performed on horse embryos?
Before being placed in the uterus, an embryo can be tested for s*x, specific coat colors, and certain genetic diseases. This process is known as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
The VGL offers testing for s*x, coat colors, and various genetic diseases in equine embryos. Learn more at https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/horse-embryo

02/14/2025

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SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL LIFT YOU HIGHER

Surround yourself with those who will celebrate
with you, support you and be healthy for your journey.

Surround yourself with those who get it!

"Surround yourself with people who add value to your life. Who challenge you to be greater than you were yesterday. People who sprinkle magic into your existence, just like you do to theirs. Life isn't meant to be done alone. Mind your tribe, and journey freely and loyally together."
~Alex Elle~

I want to be around people that do things. I don't want to be around people that judge or talk negatively about what people do.

I want to be around people that dream big, and work hard.

I want to be around people who support each other, even if they are competing together or in the same line of work.

I love to see other people happy and succeeding!

Life is a journey, not a competition.

There is absolutely no reason why we should not be proud for anyone who is stepping out of the normalcy of society, working hard, growing, learning, challenging themselves, making good things happen for themselves, and setting great examples for their kids and others around them.

We all need to learn to be proud for people who are working hard to get better and be the best that they can be.

Life is way too short to be bitter and spread negativity.

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