Ask the Farrier » Grooming http://www.askthefarrier.com Learn Horse Care and Horse Hoof Care Tips Plus Horse Breeds Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:34:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=7878 en hourly 1 Grooming a Light-Colored Horse http://www.askthefarrier.com/grooming-a-light-colored-horse/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/grooming-a-light-colored-horse/#comments Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:21:04 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/grooming-a-light-colored-horse/ A grey horse gleaming in the sunshine is a beautiful sight.  However, owners of light-colored horses know that keeping their ponies looking this way is a daily battle.  Most light-colored horses seem to find the muddiest and most manure-filled areas to roll, resulting in the tell-tale camouflage green stains that cover their body.  If you have a light-colored horse, here are some tips for keeping his coat clean while at the same time keeping your frustration to a minimum.

  • Although it may be tempting, don’t bathe your horse too often.  Not only will the water cause damage to his hooves, but the constant shampooing will dry out and damage his skin and coat.  Instead, try spot cleaning the stains rather than giving the entire body a shampoo.
  • Try using Betadine scrub on the worst stains.  A powerful cleanser formulated to prepare the skin for surgery, Betadine also will not damage the color of the horse’s coat.  As with other shampoos, try not to overuse.
  • Keep a bottle of spray-on stain remover handy in your grooming box.  These specially formulated conditioners are made for lifting the stains from grey horses.  Find them at your local tack or grooming supply store.
  • Use lots of elbow grease.  Your curry brush will remove a lot of the dirt and dead hair that might be making a stain look worse than it is.  Brush your horse thoroughly and with vigor before using product on his coat.
  • Recognize that sometimes you will lose the battle.  If you are simply taking your horse out for a quick trail ride, know that he doesn’t have to look perfect.  Preparing for a show is obviously a different matter but on the whole your horse doesn’t care what his coat looks like.  As long as there is no dirt to rub on where his tack is sitting, there is nothing wrong with taking a horse out that isn’t perfectly and professionally groomed.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/grooming-a-light-colored-horse/feed/ 0 Keeping Tails Healthy and Beautiful http://www.askthefarrier.com/keeping-tails-healthy-and-beautiful/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/keeping-tails-healthy-and-beautiful/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:06:04 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/keeping-tails-healthy-and-beautiful/ A horse with a long, full tail is the envy of every horse owner in the barn.  Even if your horse tends towards having a thin and scraggly tail, there are a few simple things you can do to encourage it to grow out.

  • Do not overbrush.  Brushing out your horse’s tail too often can actually cause breakage and dryness.  When you do brush, use a good quality tail brush rather than a comb that will cause further breaking of the tail hairs.
  • Do not overbathe.  Bathing the tail might make it clean and shiny initially, but over time it will dry out the tail hairs, making them dull and easily broken.  If you want to keep your horse’s tail clean, try putting it in a tailbag.  Try not to do this when pests are prevalent, as your horse needs his tail for fly control.
  • Feed your horse good-quality food.  If your horse’s nutritional needs are being met, there is a much better chance that he’ll have a healthy and shiny mane and tail.  You might consider feeding a supplement such as Farrier’s Formula, which not only helps with hoof growth, but also keeps coats shiny.
  • Clean your horse’s sheath or udder to ensure they aren’t rubbing out of itchiness.  Also make sure that your horse is dewormed regularly, and check their backside for any clues as to what might make them itchy enough to rub their tail out.
  • Use a leave-in conditioner when brushing.  These moisturizing products also make it easier to brush out your horse’s tail, reducing breakage and making knots easier to handle.  And they smell nice too!
  • Be cautious of your fly spray.  Although necessary at times, many insect repellents are very damaging to hair and skin.  Try using a natural product if you think this might be damaging to your horse’s tail.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/keeping-tails-healthy-and-beautiful/feed/ 0 Tying your horse http://www.askthefarrier.com/tying-your-horse/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/tying-your-horse/#comments Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:47:52 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/tying-your-horse/ Most horse owners routinely tie up their horses, whether during grooming, tacking up, or just to keep the horse secure while they attend to something else.  However, if not done correctly, this seemingly simple and everyday practice could be putting you and your horse in a very dangerous situation. 

Always tie your horse with a quick release knot.  If you aren’t sure how to do this, ask a friend to show you, or check horse care books or websites.  Most will have diagrams that you can use to practice.  Should your horse spook or pull away, it is imperative that the knot collapse, otherwise your horse will panic at being trapped and could seriously injure himself or others.  As he pulls, he’ll tighten the rope making it difficult to get a non-quick release knot undone.  Never tie your horse by his bridle.  As he pulls to get free he could severely injure his mouth.

Don’t tie to any object that is not secure.  Fences are the best option, using the fence post rather than the rail.  If your horse pulls, he should not be able to drag anything away with him.  Check posts before tying to make sure that they aren’t rotten or inadequately secured into the ground.  Wherever possible, keep the rope chest high to avoid it dangling around your horse’s legs and tripping him. 

If you are tying your horse to your trailer or using cross-ties remember to always use quick release clasps.  These clasps are made to release when met with sudden force.  This way, if the horse pulls its head quickly, trying to get free, the clasp will open.  They are also easier to release a spooked horse as it just takes a quick pull to get them loose.  Check clasps regularly to ensure that they don’t become rusty.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/tying-your-horse/feed/ 0 Take Care of Your Horse’s Teeth http://www.askthefarrier.com/take-care-of-your-horses-teeth/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/take-care-of-your-horses-teeth/#comments Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:42:13 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/take-care-of-your-horses-teeth/ As grazing animals, horses have some unique needs when it comes to their teeth.  Meant for grinding down tough plant fibers, and other abrasive materials, a horse’s teeth are constantly growing.  Additionally, their upper molars are spaced wider apart than their lower molars.  In the wild, this is beneficial because horses graze on grass all day long, which wears down and polishes their teeth quite effectively.  It also requires a lot of side to side grinding, which is where the spacing difference is an evolutionary advantage.  Domestic horses are not usually solely kept on grass, and instead are fed much less abrasive forage that requires less grinding.  This causes the teeth to wear unevenly resulting in sharp points and hooks on the molars.  These points will cause harm to your horse by cutting the inside of his mouth, preventing him from eating properly, and making the bit uncomfortable to wear.

Have your horse’s teeth checked yearly to prevent problems from getting out of control.  A good time is during your yearly vaccinations.  If the teeth aren’t too bad, your veterinarian may use a simple rasp to file down the points.  However, some veterinarians prefer to sedate the horse and use an electric power grinder to wear down the points quickly.  There is still debate on whether this is a good method of dental care – some feel that it is too easy to wear down the teeth too much, too quickly. 

If your horse is dropping his food, salivating excessively, fussing with the bit, or is touchy about having his face and muzzle handled, you will want to be sure to have his teeth checked.  If done regularly, having your horse’s teeth floated will be a minor occurrence, and he will live pain free.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/take-care-of-your-horses-teeth/feed/ 0 How to Bathe a Horse http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-bathe-a-horse/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-bathe-a-horse/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:32:24 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-bathe-a-horse/ Ready to give your horse a summer bath?  Try the following tips for a smooth and easy experience.

  1. Have a friend hold onto your horse, as opposed to tying him up, especially if this is a new experience for him.
  2. Allow your horse to become comfortable with the sound of the hose before using it on him.  Use a very gentle spray and start with his feet and legs to get him comfortable before moving up to the body.  Always aim the spray away from your horse’s head.
  3. Once the neck and body are wet, you can use a brush or grooming mitt to work the shampoo into a lather.  Make sure to generate lots of suds and don’t be afraid to rinse and lather again if your horse is really dirty.
  4. When rinsing, start at the neck and work your way down the body and legs.  Be sure to keep rinsing until the soap disappears because any that is left may cause his skin to dry out and his coat to dull.
  5. Use a sweat scraper to remove excess water before towel drying.  You might wish to walk your horse dry at this point or throw a light cooler on him and put him back in his stall.
  6. When bathing tails, remember to hold the tail to the side of the horse.  Use a bucket to soak the tail, shampoo, and finally rinse.  You might wish to use a conditioning product to make the tail easier to comb out afterwards.  Be cautious of being kicked, or smacked with a wet tail.
  7. Wash your horse’s head and face carefully with a damp sponge to avoid running soap and water into his eyes.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-bathe-a-horse/feed/ 0 Preparing Your Horse for the Clippers http://www.askthefarrier.com/preparing-your-horse-for-the-clippers/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/preparing-your-horse-for-the-clippers/#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:15:01 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/preparing-your-horse-for-the-clippers/ If you want to use clippers to prepare your horse for a show or to get his winter coat under control, you’ll need to make sure he is thoroughly prepared for what is, to most horses, a very scary experience.  As with any training, take your time and don’t rush the process - it may take several days before you can actually clip your horse.  Start by turning the clippers on in the barn, but not next to your horse, so that he can get comfortable with the sound.  Gradually bring the clippers closer and watch how he reacts.  Keep the clippers out of sight, and feed him some treats.  Once he appears to be taking no notice of the sound, you can begin to bring the clippers in sight of the horse.  As he accepts this, you can begin to rub him with the vibrating clippers, although not actually clipping at this point.  When he is calm and comfortable, you can slowly start to clip.  Most horses are simply frightened of the noise and desensitization to the sound quickly removes any fear.  However, horses that are ticklish and find the actual clipping to be unpleasant are harder to work with.  If at any time you feel threatened by your horse’s reactions, contact an experienced horse-person or trainer for assistance.  Remember that pushing the horse into a state of panic will not cause him to learn anything except that he truly has something to fear.  Also be aware that if your horse panics and you turn the clippers off, he will have learned that by panicking and threatening you, the clippers disappear. Take it slow and end each session on a positive note and you’ll find that the entire process will go much more smoothly.

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]]> http://www.askthefarrier.com/preparing-your-horse-for-the-clippers/feed/ 0 How to Properly Groom a Horse http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-properly-groom-a-horse/ http://www.askthefarrier.com/how-to-properly-groom-a-horse/#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:34:10 +0000 admin http://www.askthefarrier.com/?p=4 As a horse owner or caretaker, you must be sure to properly groom your horse. Horses need to be groomed often to keep clean, most importantly, but also to promote a sleek and shiny coat. Grooming also gives the owner a perfect chance to develop a bond with their horse. The following is a brief overview of how you can make sure you are properly grooming your horse.

Tie Up Your Horse

(Don't forget this step).

Clean Out Your Horse's Hooves.

Horses are subject to getting all kinds of debris stuck in their hooves. From dirt and mud to rocks, broken glass, and just about anything else you could imagine, there's no doubt that you had better keep your horse's hooves clean if you want to keep him happy. Use a pick and start at the base of the heel and move toward the toe. Be sure to stay as close to the horse's body as possible while cleaning the hooves. If you stand too far away, you run the risk of getting kicked. A horse's feet are very important, so while you're cleaning be sure to check for warning signs like bad smells or soft areas. Also check for loose shoes. If the shoe moves around at all, make sure you get it firmly replaced before riding your horse again to avoid further problems.

Wipe the Horse's Eyes and Nose

Get a warm damp washcloth and carefully remove any dirt under and around your horse's eyes. Rinse off the cloth, then quickly scrub out their nostrils taking care not to upset the horse.

Loosen Dirt from the Horse's Skin with a Curry Comb.

A curry comb is a flat oval comb used for horse care. The purpose of a curry comb is to loosen mud stuck deep in the horse's skin. The technique is simple - use a rapid, circular brushing motion all over the horse's body. Just make sure not to brush extra bony surfaces like the lower legs and around the nose. This is probably the most important step in grooming your horse. Although it will take a lot of effort on your part, your horse's coat will really benefit.

Remove Dirt from the Horse with a Dandy Brush.

The dandy brush has hard bristles and is intended to remove the dirt brought out with the curry brush. You'll want to use short strokes and remove all the dirt covering the horse. Make sure not to use anywhere on the horse's face. If the horse is extremely dirty or muddy, you can use a wet towel to try and remove excess dirt before using the dandy brush. You can also use a wet towel or cloth on the face and belly in lieu of using the brush.

Finish with a Body Brush.

Once you've removed all the dirt from your horse "buff" him up with a nice, soft-bristled body brush. This will relax the horse and also help give the coat a sleek and clean look.

Comb the Tail and Mane.

Start at the base of the tail and carefully comb all the tangles out of the horse's hair, be sure to use your fingers whenever possible. You really don't want to pull the horse's hair out by combing it too hard, and this can also cause the horse pain. You want your horse to be comfortable with his cleaning routine. Repeat the same process along the mane.

Give Your Horse a Treat.

Why not?

Make it a Habit.

Grooming a horse can be a LOT of work but once you get the routine down it will breeze by, and you'll be rewarded by developing a close and long lasting friendship with your horse.

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