#TBT: 6 Ways Equestrians Know Summer Is Coming

Warm weather = more #equestrianproblems.

If Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff, then summer is basically here: horse shows, long trail rides, every day spent at the barn … and these unmistakable and awkward indicators known only to us horse people:

The sensation that you’ve wet your pants after going for a bareback cool-down.

Yeah, this looks like fun and games now … until you dismount.
Clara S./Flickr/CC

You’ve had a great school or lesson, and now it’s time to cool that horse down … why not slip off your saddle and take him for a little bareback hack around the farm? Oh, except that now it looks like you’ve had a little “accident” … good thing you have a long list of errands to run after the barn today. That’s gonna go over well.

Pit stains and sweat marks.

This is definitely what we look like when we sweat through our clothing … said no equestrian ever.
David Compton/Flickr/CC

Yep, nothing says “summer” like sweating profusely, and all of your barn clothes have permanent marks in certain areas. Gyms have showers and locker rooms … barns have wash stalls and hay lofts. Guess I’ll drive with the windows down. All the way down.

The days are longer, but you still leave home before the sun rises and return long after it’s gone down.

So what if the sun’s going down? That’s what arena lights are for.
Five Furlongs/Flickr/CC

Well, it’s not like we don’t see the sun, because we’re out riding around in it from dawn to dusk. It’s just that we have no idea what our homes look like in the light of day.

The farmer’s tan (and its inverse, the glove tan.)

What’s even more impressive than this tan itself is the fact that I was able to find a royalty-free photo of it.
Jesse Palmer/Flickr/CC

Keep in mind that no matter how dark the middle of your arms appear to be, a few shades of this “tan” will wash off in the shower, because it’s actually just dirt. Just remember that when you have an afternoon off to sport a bathing suit or a cute sundress, your legs will be reflectively white and have the potential to cause snow blindness.

Those dark coats and helmets or black leather chaps and long-sleeve shirts are no longer a comfortable layer.

Waiving jackets and wearing “cool feel” shirts are only gonna get you so far.
Nikoretro/Flickr/CC

Remember those chilly spring shows where you were happy to be layering up in a hunt coat, grateful for those tight-fitting leather chaps to provide one more line of defense against the frosty air? Keep reminding yourself of those days as you swelter your way around the show ring, praying that they reverse soon and call you to the middle before you faint right out of the saddle.

If you thought your clothes, hair and car smelled bad in early spring …

Isn’t it comforting to know that no matter how wretched you stunk coming home from the barn in late winter or spring, it will always get worse in warm weather?

What would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments, or post in our forum, Equestrians Anonymous. Go riding!