Blue Dome Equestrian

08/25/2025

08/21/2025

Dr Temple Grandin is one of the best known animal scientists in the world. She grew up in America, and she is autistic, which means her brain works a little differently to most people’s. She often says she “thinks in pictures.” This helps her notice tiny details about animals that others might miss.

Most of her career has been spent improving how cattle are handled on farms, making systems calmer and safer. (Which is why many farms have safe handing pens for cattle on farms today)But her ideas are just as useful when we think about horses.

Temple reminds us that animals don’t see the world the same way humans do. A shiny puddle, a flapping jacket, or a garden chair in the wrong place might look like danger to a horse. Horses are prey animals, always on the lookout for threats. What seems silly to us can feel very real to them.

As she explains: “Horses have to see the same object from all angles. They don’t automatically transfer learning from one side of their brain to the other.” In other words, a horse that walks calmly past a wheelbarrow on the left rein may still shy at it on the right.

For coaches and riders, this matters. If a horse spooks or refuses, it isn’t “naughty”, it is reacting in the only way it knows. Our job is to slow down, let the horse look, and give it time to learn.

Temple also talks about how animals respond to pressure. A gentle aid, released at the right moment, helps the horse to understand. But rough hands, loud voices, or constant pushing only build fear. As coaches, that means showing riders how to be clear but kind, guiding, not forcing.

And this links horse welfare with rider welfare. A calm horse gives the rider confidence. A frightened horse makes the rider nervous. By putting the horse’s feelings first, we create safer, happier lessons for both.

Temple Grandin may have made her name with cattle, but her lessons about patience, clear signals for animals are pure gold for anyone who works with horses. When we see the world through the horse’s eyes, we become better kinder horsemen.

07/25/2025

The horses looked so beautiful at Horse Camp!

07/07/2025

Summer Horse Camp begins in two weeks!

06/29/2025

06/25/2025

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 🤎

06/02/2025

🌿 How to Build a Dead Hedge: The Wildlife-Friendly Fence Made from Garden Waste

Looking for a sustainable, budget-friendly, and wildlife-loving way to define space in your garden? Build a dead hedge. This simple yet beautiful structure is one of my favorite ways to recycle garden trimmings, support local biodiversity, and add a rustic charm to the landscape—all without spending a penny.

🪵 What Is a Dead Hedge?
A dead hedge is a barrier built using cut branches, twigs, and woody debris, all stacked between two rows of upright stakes. Think of it as a fence made entirely from natural leftovers.

But this isn’t just about fencing—it’s about creating shelter, food, and nesting space for birds, hedgehogs, insects, and amphibians. Plus, it slowly breaks down and returns nutrients to your soil.

🌟 Why I Recommend Building One
✅ Habitat for Wildlife
Dead hedges offer hiding spots for hedgehogs, nesting space for birds, damp retreats for frogs and toads, and even attract beneficial bugs like beetles, bees, and butterflies.

✅ Recycles Garden Waste
Instead of burning or binning your cuttings, turn them into something useful and beautiful.

✅ Windbreak + Privacy Screen
A well-built hedge softens wind, offers privacy, and shields more delicate plants from harsh conditions.

✅ Improves Soil Health
As it decomposes, the hedge enriches the soil beneath it with nutrients and retains moisture.

✅ Rustic Charm
Blends naturally into wildflower patches, woodland paths, and cottage-style gardens.

🛠️ How to Build a Dead Hedge (Step-by-Step)
1. Choose and Prep Your Stakes
Use fencing stakes—round or square, your choice. Sharpen the ends with a saw to make driving them into the ground easier.

2. Drive Them Deep
Place your stakes in two parallel rows, about 1–2 feet deep into the soil. The width between rows depends on how thick you want your hedge. I usually go for 1 to 2 feet wide.

3. Start Filling

Lay large logs at the base for structure

Pile in twigs and small branches

Top with more big sticks to compact and compress the hedge
This layering creates ideal crevices for critters to crawl into!

4. Keep Topping It Up
As the hedge settles, add more trimmings. It’ll naturally compress over time, so think of it as a living (well, decaying) wall that you keep feeding.

🧤 Bonus Tips
If you're using old buckets or storage tubs for trimming collection, sort materials by size before building—makes stacking easier.

Use fallen leaves and shredded twigs to fill gaps.

Don’t use treated wood or anything that could leach chemicals.

Build near compost heaps, hedgerows, or shady garden corners for extra habitat value.

A dead hedge turns garden waste into a home for wildlife, a natural fence, and a soil booster—all rolled into one. It's easy, cheap, and deeply rewarding.

05/20/2025

03/30/2025

03/30/2025

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In the mountainous regions of Italy, donkeys known as “mule nannies” play a vital role in shepherding. These specially trained donkeys carry newborn lambs in backpacks, helping shepherds safely transport them down steep terrain.
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03/01/2025

Summer Horse Camp is July 21, 22, 23!
Enroll now at: blueequest.com

02/25/2025

Enrollment begins March 1st for Summer Horse Camp! (July 21, 22, 23)
Forms will be posted on

Two South Sound locations (West Side Olympia, Steamboat Island) offering comprehensive horsemanship / riding lessons and day camps for riders of all ages and experience levels. Call or text:...