Horses are complex but unusually beautiful and amazing animals. They require constant attention and investment. Daily care includes wool care, health care, feeding and training. But everything will pay off triple, if you only feel the wind in the saddle and the infinite power of this graceful animal, which has become a true friend to you.
Taking care of horses
There is a wide range of cosmetic products on the market today, from shampoos to keep you clean, without which you can’t be healthy, to various sprays with pleasant scents that the rider rather than the horse needs.
A large arsenal of brushes and scrapers will help. In our shop there are various models that help to perfectly cope with their direct task, as well as those that care about saving detergents and bring aesthetic pleasure to the daily routine.
The basic rules and standards for the maintenance of horses, mandatory for every horse:
Preparation for hygiene procedures
Ideally, you should have a special place behind the stall (or separate stall) for an event of this nature. If you wash your horse where it stands in your spare time, the inevitable dampness after bathing will not do you any good.
This can lead to various illnesses and impair the appearance of your horse, but no matter where you perform the procedures, you need to tie your horse carefully to prevent him from running away at the most inappropriate moment.
Bathing a horse
There are no mandatory recommendations for horse bathing, so it is better to dry-clean in winter. In summer it is recommended to bathe, but rather to refresh your horse once a week.
In case of high heat water procedures can be carried out every day, but the use of shampoo should be limited to once in 7 days. Despite the appearance of shampoos, whose manufacturers prescribe the possibility of daily use, detergents included in the composition, dry the skin.
Daily cleaning
Cleaning includes the removal of heavy soiling with a rubber massager, excluding areas with delicate skin (legs and face), dust removal with brushes with artificial or natural bristles. Both options have their pros and cons, which we will certainly tell you about in the care products overview in our next articles.
Tail and mane care
Combing the tail and mane is recommended as needed, but not every day. Daily brushing will reduce the density, which recovers very long.
Hoof care
Regularly remove foreign objects that have fallen into the hoof (stones, twigs, grass particles) using a hook. It is recommended to cut the hooves once every 3-8 weeks depending on the intensity of their growth.
As for for forging, specialists all over the world are still arguing about the necessity of this procedure. Some argue that forging protects the hooves (the majority), others argue that the event only causes problems with the hooves, which can be avoided by abandoning forging. We would recommend taking advice from your vet who knows your horse’s hoof condition and its individual characteristics.
Horse haircutting
It is recommended to cut the horse as needed. Needless to say, short wool is much easier to care for than long and thick wool. But it should also be noted that for certain breeds of horses, long hair is a sign and essential attribute of the breed, and therefore should be cut with great care.
Feeding your horse
This is a huge topic for discussion. It’s worth remembering the basic principles of feeding:
- the constant availability of clean, fresh water,
- a lot of good quality hay,
- the use of grain rather as a supplement to the basic diet,
- adjusting the amount of food depending on the activity, age, health of the animal.
Also, do not feed your horse before or immediately after training. If you plan to change your diet, switch to new food or add something new, you should do it gradually. On average, it takes 7-8 days to introduce new food.
Daily Activities
The behavioral characteristics of a horse are certainly dependent on its breed, age, and simple character, but in any case, movement is life. A lack of movement leads to many serious diseases, including muscle atrophy. After all, by nature, the horse’s body is designed for constant movement.
Communication with the horse
Do not underestimate the psychological comfort of your horse, paying more attention to its physical performance. Each animal, like a human, has its own character. It will take quite a long time to earn the trust: it’s a simple stroke, a treat for the horse, talking to the animal, rewards for commands and penalties for disobedience, as well as daily training.
It should be noted that training is not only necessary for saddle riding or work on the lunge. Hoof clearance, fitting of saddles and other equipment also require training. In any case, the main thing in this matter is patience and perseverance. Do not go off the track, day after day practicing everything you have planned.
Horse health
The basis of any living organism is its health. Schedule regular veterinary and dental checkups. Timely vaccinations will prevent terrible diseases, regular deworming will protect against parasites and prevent the dangers associated with them, and visits to the dentist – will prevent problems with the teeth.
Home detention
Keeping horses at home requires a lot of investment. In addition to ammunition, care kits and wind products, a specially equipped stall is required.
Ideal would be a room made of environmentally friendly material treated with an antiseptic, the area from 4×4 meters per animal. But the size of the stall directly depends on the breed and age of the horse. Rubber floor covering non-slip and not rotting more than 10 years is gaining popularity.
A bedding in the stall is also mandatory, which will make cleaning much easier by absorbing all the moisture and also allowing the horse to lie down if necessary. Large sawdust or straw is usually used for bedding.
Taking into account all the above factors and the requirements for stabling and care, it is necessary to weigh everything for and against a thousand times before buying a horse. After all, this is not a toy! But if you decide to take such a time-consuming event, you will be rewarded with the devotion and love of the most beautiful creature in the world.
Keeping in the stables
Keeping a horse in the stable is due to the animal’s socialization. Besides observance of all necessary conditions a horse is given an opportunity to communicate with its brothers, which is important for normal psychological health.
Also in many modern stables you can use the services of a professional trainer at any time, who will select the program just for you, as well as the services of a consultant who will help you choose all the necessary equipment, based on the latest innovations in this field, your desires and opportunities.
The content of the horse is not available to everyone. Moral, physical and material investments are not suitable for everyone. But those who have had the chance to become equestrians, will unanimously confirm to you that it is for life.
It is impossible to look into these bottomless eyes, sneaking in the wind chase, feeling the extraordinary power of the universe under saddle, to remain indifferent and not give a piece of soul and heart to these graceful creatures.
