Jan 08, 2016

Tips and Tricks of the Trade: Blanket Rubs

Photo Courtesy of Shannon Kinsley.

Tips and Tricks of the Trade is a new article series being provided through a partnership between Athletux and the USEA.

At Lauren Kieffer Eventing (LKE) it seems like with our busy schedule and high number of horses, we are always clipping in the winter months, and once all the horses are clipped, I feel as though it is already time to clip some of them again. As a result of this, the horse's coats can become increasingly dry resulting in different funguses and at times blanket rubs from always having their coats on.

My tip for blanket rubs and this dry coat issue is to wipe the horses down with Witch Hazel, followed by a coat moisturizer. Witch Hazel can be easily found at the drugstore and applied to a towel to be used. For the coat moisturizer, my favorite is Ecolicious Glossy Gloss Coat Tonic which comes in a nifty, easy to use spray bottle.

Blanket rubs seem inevitable with certain horses, and I have had a great deal of success using olive oil cream anywhere I see them getting rubs, or to prevent rubs on the chronically rubbed areas such as the shoulders. Any olive oil cream will do for this use and it can be found very inexpensively at your local drug store.


Shannon Kinsley is the groom for CCI4* rider Lauren Kieffer. Shannon has many years of experience taking care of horses both at home and in International Competition. For more information about Lauren Kieffer and Shannon Kinsley, visit www.laurenkieffer.com or be sure to follow their adventures via social media at https://www.facebook.com/laurenkieffereventing. Kinsley pictured left. Photo via LKE's Facebook Page.

Sep 22, 2023 Young Event Horse

The Dutta Corporation Returns as Title Sponsor of the USEA Young Event Horse Championships

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is humbled to announce the return of long-time partner The Dutta Corporation as the “Title Sponsor of the 2023 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships,” which include the East Coast Championships at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland, on Oct. 19-20 and the West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, on Oct. 27-28.

Sep 20, 2023 Sponsor

How a Helmet Saved Silva Martin

When Team SmartPak Rider Silva Martin saddles up, it’s always with a helmet. Silva’s riding career has taken her from Germany all across the world before she settled in the United States in 2007—well before helmets were popular in dressage. When the traditional top hat ruled the dressage ring, riders often schooled in baseball caps or nothing at all.

Sep 20, 2023 Area Championships

Meet the 11 New Champions from the Area VII Championships at Aspen Farms

Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington, served as the beautiful backdrop for this year’s USEA Area VII Championships. In total, there were 11 championship divisions offered from the Beginner Novice level through Intermediate, in addition to the event’s regular horse trial divisions. USEA President Lou Leslie was onsite to lend a helping hand and help issue awards during the prize-giving ceremonies. Meet the 11 new USEA Area VII Champions below!

Sep 19, 2023 Eventing News

In Memoriam: Mr. Medicott

The USEA is sad to report that Mr. Medicott (Cruising x Slieveluachra) passed away on September 17 at Ms. Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm in Virginia where he has enjoyed his retirement since 2019. The Irish Sport Horse gelding made quite the mark on the sport of eventing in the U.S., completing more than 50 FEI events over the course of his career with five different riders and finishing in the top 10 at 30 of those competitions. Mr. Medicott attended two Olympic Games and one World Equestrian Games for two different countries over the course of his career. “Cave,” as he was known around the barn, was 24 years old at the time of his death.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA