Staying Cool As A Cucumber During The Dog Days
There are a lot of great ways to stay cool during the dog days of summer!
For you and your horse, staying cool (calm & collected) on the inside is just as important as staying cool on the outside!
On a recent trip to Portland Oregon, my daughter Rebecca, who is an herbalist, took my son Grant and I to the Bula Kava House.
I never heard of such a thing in provincial Pennsylvania, but I’m always up for a new experience. I was introduced to a beverage made from the ground root of the kava plant. This intoxicating beverage produces a state of calm relaxation and reduces anxiety. And does it ever!
The only drawback is that it tastes, well…yukky! The good news is that they added a fresh pineapple chaser on the side to help with that.
I began thinking that this would be the perfect solution to take the edge off before a ride. The only problem there was the delivery system. That’s when my daughter suggested Kava Root Liquid. A drop or two under the tongue before heading to the barn, and you’re feeling copacetic. It’s non-alcoholic too, so it might be the answer for tea-totaling fox hunters! Warning, I’d have a bottle of soda or something sweet to wash it down. The taste give a whole new meaning to the word bitter.
I use Herb Pharm Kava Root Liquid Extract to Reduce Stress and Promote Relaxation. I find it works well!
This discovery got me wondering if Kava would work for horses? Further guidance led me down a different road. The Kavista (is that a term?), and my daughter, both suggested flower essences. I did some research, and found a great product from Botanical Animal called Mellow Out.
I headed out to the barn last Saturday to try it out on Denver my American Saddlebred, who’s motto is “I’ll be the last one eaten!” The instructions said to put a few drops under his tongue, and wait an hour. I came back to his stall to find one cool, calm gelding. We went for a great trail ride, and I was “on the buckle” the entire way! A whole new experience!
So other than cranking up the air conditioning, jumping in the pool, or cracking open a cold one, I really can’t give any great advice about staying cool on the outside. But helping to keep you & your horse cool on the inside…well now you know the story!
Happy Dog (& Horse) Days!
