Spin Off: Tips & Tricks for Being Efficient at the Barn

Can I just say, I am so envious of the people who can go from the barn to other activities where they have to look nice, like work. I am such a head sweater there is no possible way I could ride before work or a social function and quickly leave with decent looking hair.

[QUOTE=alternate_universe;7783281]
Can I just say, I am so envious of the people who can go from the barn to other activities where they have to look nice, like work. I am such a head sweater there is no possible way I could ride before work or a social function and quickly leave with decent looking hair.[/QUOTE]

True dat!

That said, my magic formula for when I have to be somewhere after the barn and there is just no time to shower (I’m talking about going to lunch or something, I’d never go to work or an event like this) is to thoroughly rub my head/hair with a baby wipe (yes, a baby wipe!) and then dry shampoo the ish out of it.

I basically give myself a baby wipe bath and reapply deodorant before leaving the barn and then I’m usually not too gross to get away with running into the grocery store or whatever.

[QUOTE=french fry;7783290]
True dat!

That said, my magic formula for when I have to be somewhere after the barn and there is just no time to shower (I’m talking about going to lunch or something, I’d never go to work or an event like this) is to thoroughly rub my head/hair with a baby wipe (yes, a baby wipe!) and then dry shampoo the ish out of it.

I basically give myself a baby wipe bath and reapply deodorant before leaving the barn and then I’m usually not too gross to get away with running into the grocery store or whatever.[/QUOTE]

That could possibly work for me in the winter, but no way in the summer. My hair is so soaked and mashed down that I’d need to completely dry it and use a flat iron to get it back to normal. Bangs+helmet+sweat = hot mess

I miss the days when I had grooming stall(s) (vs cross ties in the aisle) and a horse vacuum. A vacuum would help cut my grooming time down some but also cut down on my saddle pad laundry time.

If you happen to have multiple horses I recommend getting everything out at once (as long as its ok with your barn to leave it there while you wait). While I see most of you aren’t cleaning much tack anyway :wink: I still think that sharing tack and equipment where possible (like not too much adjustment or cleaning needed between each horse) saves time on getting things out, organizing, etc. Tack first horse, ride, untack in same area. If warranted, hose and leave somewhere else to dry (again hopefully there’s room at your barn). If not so sweaty, throw in stall. Bring out next horse to tacking up area. Groom, tack, ride. Repeat until you run out of horses.

After it’s over, time to put away. By the time you ride and untack second horse, you will find that first somewhat sweaty one now dry in the stall. Go in stall and curry it, brush off with stiff brush. By the time you do this (and maybe some putting stuff away in tack room) the next guy is ready for his curry. That’s because someone smart and in a hurry always rides the hairiest/most sweat prone horses first :wink:

Another tip is if you have any regular treatments/products you need to use (ie. thrush treatments, scratches meds, etc) make sure they are handy in your groom kit, not hiding back in your locker somewhere. Have all the tools needed to apply (brushes, gloves, gauze, whatever) right there with them.

Tricks for going from barn to work:

  • No hair cuts with bangs.
  • Wear long sleeves--avoids sunscreen, dirt, etc. on arms.
  • If horse is a pig, groom gently to avoid raising horse piss dust, or hose off before riding.
  • Get a job where you're not expected to be perfectly attired and coiffed.
  • Change all clothing, including underwear and bra.
  • If possible, wipe self off with damp cloth after removing clothing and then dry. You can accomplish this with opposite ends of a large-ish towel.
  • Find a barn with a shower. Or, a workplace with one. However, I find it more efficient to change at the barn.
I am not a morning person. So, the night before, all clothing and items needed to clean up and change into clothing goes into a tote. I make a lunch, perhaps one that can be eaten in the car going from barn to work, and put it in a lunch cooler thing in the refrigerator. Water is in the kettle. I shower at night.

As far as being efficient at the barn? Don’t stop to chat. Don’t sit down. Don’t spend time with barn cat.

On the note of going from barn to work, I used to use a product called Action Wipes when I bike commuted to clean up before work. They are kind of like baby wipes but more deodorizing with natural oils and such. The company was sold and is now back with the original owners but for some reason production is and has been on hold for a while (which sucks, because I’m out of wipes). Anyway, if they ever make it back to market, they are a decent body cleansing alternative to a shower if you don’t have access to one, and one wipe (or 2 if your horse turns you into Pigpen) is big enough for the whole body. They can also be put in the clothes washer in a lingerie bag and then repurposed as rags after using.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone!

I will definitely be employing some of the methods used here (like no chatting!), and I plan on blanketing and doing at least a partial clip on my mare to help with grooming and cooling out.

Any other ideas are welcomed!