Does your horse show signs of fear during grooming?

This article deals with the subject of grooming and, in particular, body-clipping. Although the following discusses the body-clipping of Gypsy Vanner horses, the principles outlined are common to the grooming and clipping of all breeds. The following  is supplied with the compliments of Lisa the groomer for Gypsy MVP, America’s most trusted source for Gypsy Horses.

We all know it is body-clipping time if you work with Gypsy Vanner Horses. When the temperature in your area is above 70 deg F it is time to dispose of that fuzzy undercoat . Most Gypsy Vanners are used to being body clipped if they are from a warm climate area. If they haven’t ever been clipped, they may be afraid of the clippers.  So if they have never been clipped before, you’ll need to take the time to introduce them to the clippers.

 Introduce your horse to the clippers slowly.

We’ve found that if you hold the clippers on your horse and also give him some loving , he will begin to understand that the clippers will not harm them.  Horses are prey animals in the wild , so they are naturally afraid of many things.   As a horse groomer it is your duty to make this as good an experience as you can.  Should the big clippers scare your horse, try starting with smaller ones (the ones used to trim the face).  The large clippers (the ones used on the body) make a loud noise, so understand that it is a fear reaction, not misbehavior.

Start with a clean horse

Brush and thoroughly clean your horse’s coat.   At Gypsy MVP we use a medicated shampoo from EZ-Groom. We find that this shampoo prevents irritation.

Be sure you keep the clipper blades cool and clean.

This makes  horse grooming job much easier plus it will give a better clip for your horse.  Keeping the clippers cool and clean is very important. Clippers can get hot rather quickly , so make sure you study them often. And if they are dirty they are louder and clip slower.  

Offer treat when you are finished with the grooming session.

When you’ve completed your grooming session , make sure you give your horse a treat, so it makes it a good experience for him .  This way the next time you put your horse in a stall for clipping (or any other reason) he will look forward to the experience.

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
3. Make it easy for your Farrier to pick-up your horse’s feet.

Potentionally a problem horse.

This may sound simplistic but I can assure you it’s true. I’ve talked about the importance of grooming before in a previous post.  However it’s probably one of the easiest things to do when caring for a  problem horse.  A horse will often find love for and trust of his owner through the grooming process.

Grooming is also a main necessity because much of  horses waste is eliminated through the pores of his skin. This can cause blockage and infection if the horse is not cleaned regularly.

Do you really have enough time for horse ownership? 

Ideally horses should typically be groomed for at least 30 minutes a day. A longer amount of time should be allotted for horses that become dirty with mud or debris.

There are many tips for easy horse care all over the Internet. It’ s worth checking out some reputable sites if you are in the consideration phase of horse ownership. That way you can decide if you have the amount of time necessary to properly care for a horse.

And do you have adequate space for a horse?

 Space is another factor that can make horse care easier.  Your horse should have adequate space as to not feel confined when you are grooming him. He should be able to feel relaxed and at ease. When possible, try to groom your horse outdoors so he can enjoy the sunshine as you pamper him.

Space is also important to give your horse room to run and play. He should have the feeling that he is free without realizing that there are significant boundaries to his freedom. Ensure there is ample room for him to run, play and to feed.  Horses don’t  like to feel they are crowded in and have to compete for food, love, or space. If you have stalls for your horse they should also be spacious and clean.

Keep your horse happy and he’ll not become a problem horse.

This is a typical happy horse.

Keeping your horse happy and content doesn’t necessarily have to be a difficult task. It can happen through some very easy horse care techniques. The main thing is to remember that your horse has feelings and emotions just like you and I. If he is treated tenderly and pampered a bit then you will have a happy horse. This can lead to years of enjoyment for you and your horse.

Animals really do treat  people the way they’re treated themselves. If you are unable to care for your horse or grow easily frustrated then your horse will become frustrated also. This is what can lead to having a probem horse and make training much more difficult than it has to be. But when treated properly, your horse will become a beautiful companion.

Recommended reading:  Considering the Horse: Tales of Problems Solved and Lessons Learned

Book review: The Best Book Ever Written
I have lots of books on horse behavior, horse psychology, etc., but this book is better than all the rest put together. I have a young mare who is my first horse at the age of 40plus, she is quite nervous at times which doesn`t do my nerves any good either! This book has been a great help in my ways of dealing with her & we now seem to have a closer partnership…

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. Horses and Computers – Love and Frustrations
3. So, You Want To Buy Your First Horse ~ What You Need To Know

That’s a very true saying from The Australian Lung Foundation.  A rather similar well-known saying in the horse fraternity is “no foot … no horse“. It’s a fact that most of the horse lameness problems have the origin in their feet. So it’s important for you to regularly check  your horse’s feet, if not daily, then very frequently. This brings us to a problem that many people who are new to owning a horse have, and that’s lifting a horse’s foot.

This where some practice should come into play. A horse known to play up when being treated by a vet or farrier can be a real problem. Some farriers will not shoe or otherwise tend to your horse’s feet when the horse is difficult. Farrier care is one of the most important parts of caring for your horse so it’s important to teach both yourself and your horse to have your horse’s feet picked-up without fuss to make things as easy as possible for the farrier, your horse, and yourself.

Don’t leave the training to your farrier.

Here the farrier has no problem in picking-up this horse's foot.

If your experience is like mine, here in southern Australia, finding a good farrier is hard enough, so you don’t want him to refuse to trim or shoe your horse because your horse is behaving badly. Squirmers who snatch their feet away, kickers, wigglers, stompers, lazy leaning horses  are the bane of a farrier’s existence.  Farriers are always busy and they don’t have the time to train your horse to pick up his feet and stand quietly. That is your job. So, train your horse to do this early and do it well. And yes, it can also be taught to older horses. Just don’t ask for too much too soon from them and it will all work out.

You need to understand some of the reasons a horse isn’t  happy about picking up his feet.  A horse’s feet are used to run to safety. Holding his foot makes him feel vulnerable. It might be they have not even been shown properly how to lift their feet. He might have been handled badly in the past when having his feet picked up, or there may be a physical problem – like a sore foot.

Also horses seem to have the knack of sensing when farriers, or vets for that matter, are about. This could be caused by a variety of things such as the smell of of other horses clinging to their clothes, or perhaps medical smells. The cause for your horse having this sense is impossible to isolate.

Suggested strategy for training your horse.

Here’s a suggested strategy for you start with to teach a horse to pick his feet up and stand quietly. You should start with small bits at a time, perhaps about 5 to 15 minutes twice a day should work. Having said that though, each horse is an individual so pace yourself accordingly.

Be sure to start in a safe place such as a round pen. Don’t work with the horse tied for your safety and his. Begin by stroking your horse’s neck and then work slowly down to the shoulder and then the front leg. If he’s happy, you’re on the right track. If he fidgets, just slowly remove your hand at the spot he started getting jumpy and start over again until he settles. Keep doing this until you touch his feet. If you can’t during the first session, don’t be concerned. Just end things on a good note and try again another time. This same routine can be used with the back legs. Just remember, slow, easy and calm does it.

Once you get to your horse’s feet, try picking one up and holding it for a mere fraction of a second and releasing it before your horse takes it away. Then  praise and reward him. Go on to another leg and so on. When you are first working with your horse you don’t want a long hold, you just want to be able to pick the foot up and put it down right away. This teaches your horse you’ll not harm him. Keep increasing the hold time over your sessions with your horse. Eventually, and who is in a rush here anyhow, you will have your horse  stand quietly for not only you, but the farrier. Always keep in mind that trust is a major issue here, so treat your horse with respect and he’ll respond willingly.

Related posts:

1. How To Select And Hire a Farrier
2. How To Pick Up Your Horse’s Hoof
3. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.

Plan your horse first aid kit now!

While horse supplies run the gamut from grooming products to nutritional supplements there is an essential horse supply item that you shouldn’t be without while either exercising or riding your horse. You’ve probably guessed ~it’s  a horse first aid kit. Horse first aid kits are essential for all horse owners as they may be just the thing that could save a horse’s life.

Hollywood has often dramatised the situation where the rider shoots his horse because it is injured. Probably he hasn’t even thought about horse first aid kits and doesn’t have one with him. It’s pointless putting a horse down over a minor injury if it could be put out of its agony without pulling the trigger. And you’ll know from experience that no matter how well thought out or planned your riding outing might be, there are just some things that will simply go wrong. Accidents will happen! Always carrying horse first aid kits just makes sense, it’s not being paranoid, it is being prepared. Your preparation might help prevent your ride from turning into a Hollywood drama!

Ensure adequate storage for your horse first aid kit.

Your horse first aid kit should be stored in a container or bag that protects the kit from moisture and dirt as these will encourage the growth of bacteria. You’d just aggravate your horse’s infection if you used, for example, contaminated bandages. You’ll find that stores selling horse supplies will carry items such as a plastic zipper bag which would be a suitable container. Aside from carrying such items as tools, or grooming equipment, these are also good for storing and carrying your first aid items. Aside from keeping possible contaminants out, you could also choose a container that may well fit in your saddlebag.

Among the items that you should include in your horse first aid kit is a disinfectant as this is probably the most handy for most injuries to your horse. From minor scrapes and abrasions to wounds, disinfectants are essential cleansers. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions especially when using industrial grades as excessive use could dry your horse’s skin.

Prevention from bacteria.

Antiseptic scrubs and swabs become useful for disinfecting wounds in the absence of water. These are excellent substitutes for disinfectants as they clean wounds with the same efficiency, but without the need for water. Ointments or wound powders are also worthy additions to your horse first aid kit. These can prevent the entrance of new bacteria into the wound and speed up the healing process. However, be sure to use ointments, powders, and creams that have been approved by your vet.

A fly repellent applied or sprayed on the wound considerably lowers further infection or contamination risks. Wound dressings which come in sterile individual packs are good for covering wounds and promoting healing. Importantly, you should have a supply of bandages in your horse first aid kit, or at least two with a wide breadth. They are good for stabilising fractures, splints, and for securing pads over bleeding wounds. Speaking of bleeding, cotton wool and gauze are essential for preventing excess bleeding. And salts are good for soaking diseased hooves and feet

Further important items for your horse first aid kit.

Aside from these medications, there are some supplies which you can buy from equine stores and regular drug stores. Petroleum jellies are good for chafing, minor burns, and skin sores. A thermometer is a wise investment and should be added to your horse first aid kit.

Scissors, tweezers, and forceps are tools you shouldn’t forget adding to your horse first aid kit. Aside from being useful for cutting bandages, they are also perfect for removing splinters and stones that may be stuck in your horse’s hooves.

Lastly,  please remember that horse first aid kits are just for providing a horse help in emergencies before a vet arrives. These are just for preventive measures, meaning they can’t cure your horse. It is still important to always call a vet for assistance and treatment after applying any first aid.

Related posts:

1. Grooming Tips For Horses ~ A Major Part of Easy Horse Care.
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
3. Horse Care For Injuries And Wounds.

  These horse grooming tips will assist you in keeping your horse in top condition.

Grooming is a significant factor in taking care of your horse and something that will add materially to his well-being. Should your horse be stabled you can anticipate devoting around 30 minutes or more every time you clean and groom him when he’s in work.

If your horse is stabled and is fed significant amounts of manufactured feed, regular grooming is absolutely essential. It’s also necessary should your horse receive a full ration of artificial feed, but is put out each day in a protective rug.

Should your horse be located out in the paddock, day and night, all year round, grooming should only be confined to the elimination of superficial mud and dirt. In this instance vigorous grooming may remove the protecting waterproofing grease generated in the coat. Full grooming should be carried out just on a periodic basis.

Why grooming is important.

 Your horse’s body is going to generate large amounts of waste material after the eating of concentrate foodstuff. A great deal of this is disposed through the higher respiration level involved any time your horse is exercised and also through the normal process of excretion. However a substantial quantity is dispersed through the pores of the skin. It’s for this reason that it’s very important that you should keep your horse’s skin thoroughly clean through frequent and thorough cleaning if the pores and skin are to perform their proper function.

 Additionally, this grooming encourages blood circulation and muscle tone along with contributing to a feeling of well-being in your horse and developing a relaxed relationship between your horse and yourself.

 You’ll discover that grooming, rather than an over-all rub-over before saddling up, is best performed right after exercising when you horse will be warm and his skin pores are open. As well as cleansing your horse and stimulating his pores and skin and circulation, this kind of grooming session offers a very good opportunity to carry out a thorough inspection of your horse. You need to look thoroughly for scratches that may need attention and to also ensure that his eyes are thoroughly clean, and not runny.

 Now for picking out the feet.

 This is vital to the well-being of your horse and should be carried out prior to cleaning the body. Should you find it necessary to wash his feet, it’s important to make sure that the heels are nicely dried. If the heels are left wet, they can very easily become chapped and sore leaving them liable to contract some sort of infection.

 To pick out the front feet, run your hand firmly down the rear of your horse’s leg along the tendon to the fetlock. Then lift up the foot and standing close to the horse, pass your hand round the hoof and make use of the hoof-pick in the right hand to clean it. It’s a good idea to capture any dirt picked out for disposal.

 For the hind feet, once again stand close. Then work your hand from the inside down the back of the leg and pull forward from the fetlock. Holding the foot in your left hand, with your hight hand clean out from the rear to the front with the hoof-pick.

 Although working around your horse’s feet like this might appear a little daunting, you’ll soon find that after just a few times it becomes an easy and familiar task.

 Your grooming kit.

 Ideally, your grooming kit should consist of these items:

 Dandy brush: a brush with stiff bristles to remove mud and dirt.

Body brush: a soft brush with short bristles to brush out dust and scurf in tender places like the face.

Curry comb: metal, plastic rubber primarily used for cleaning the body brush.

Water brush: a brush with fine bristles used dampened for the tail and mane.

Sweat scraper: to remove excess sweat or water from the coat.

Mane comb: a wide-toothed steel comb for the tail and mane.

Hoof pick: for cleaning out the hooves.

 For convenience and safe keeping it is suggested that all these items be keep in an appropriate bag or other container.

Finally, you can obtain a great aid to effective horse grooming from Amazon by clicking HERE.

Related posts:

1. A Horse First Aid Kit Could Save Your Horse’s Life ~ A Few Helpful Tips!
2. Safe Riding: Tips On Keeping You And Your Horse Safe
3. How To Overcome His Fear While Grooming Your Horse.