Wear some clothes that you do not mind getting dirty because grooming your horse can be a very messy job.
Make sure to use the flicking motion or the dirt will just stay on your horse’s body and may cause irritation. The Dandy Brush is very similar to the Body Brush but it is much rougher.
Never clip inside your horse’s ears; the fur there protects them from dust and flies. You can clip the outsides of the ears. Doing this step is optional, however, it looks better for showing. Blanket your horse in the paddock when it is cold if you choose to clip its hair.
You should also have your horse’s hooves trimmed every 3-8 weeks to keep them in good condition. Shoeing horses is not always necessary. In fact, some experts believe that shoeing can cause problems with the hooves rather than protect them. [6] X Research source [7] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
To avoid getting shampoo and conditioner in your horse’s eyes, use a wet washcloth to clean her face.
Make sure that the hay you feed your horse is free of mold and dust. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Make sure to measure the grain portions that you feed your horse to make sure that you are giving her the correct amount. [12] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If the weather is hot, feed grain to your horse during the cooler hours of the day, such as early in the morning and later in the evening.
If your horse has been out to pasture all day and has been eating lots of grass, she will not require as much hay. If your horse has had a hard work day with lots of riding, then you will need to provide more food to help replenish the extra calories she burned.
If your horse will be doing something extra strenuous, schedule her feeding for three hours before the activity.
In addition to making food changes gradually, you should also feed your horse at about the same time every day. Horses perform better when they have a regular feeding schedule. Making drastic changes to your horse’s feed or feeding schedule can lead to equine colic and founder. Equine colic is a condition that causes severe abdominal pain and may even require surgery. [15] X Research source Founder is a condition that causes poor circulation and can even lead to the separation of the hoof from the foot. Founder is often fatal.
Some horses are ear-shy and don’t enjoy their ears being touched.
Fresh apples and carrots make great treats for your horse.
To get your horse to drop her neck, tug gently on the lead rope below your horse’s head. If your horse does not yield, then keep building your bond and try to request a neck drop some other time.
Never stand or walk directly behind or in front of your horse. When working with your horse’s head, stand on your horse’s left side at an angle from her head. Talk to your horse and touch her body as you move out of her field of vision. When you need to do something with your horse’s hoof, bend over rather than crouching down.
For example, if you want to teach your horse to bow, start by teaching her how to follow a target with her nose first.
Make sure that you do not use any type of negative reinforcement that frightens or hurts your horse. The negative reinforcement should not be frightening or painful, just annoying.
Using padding under a cheap saddle will not solve the problem, your horse will still be uncomfortable. Expect to spend upwards of $500 for a good quality saddle. If you have more than one horse, you may need a different saddle for each one.
Horse teeth continue to grow as they age. Eating grass and hay helps to grind down your horse’s teeth, but it is still important to have a dentist check for any signs of rotting or other dental problems that may be causing your horse discomfort.
Wilted red maple leaves Black walnut Oak leaves Taxes species (yew, Japanese yew, American yew, English yew, western yew, oleander and rose laurel) Rhododendron and azalea White snakeroot, richweed, white sanicle, jimmy weed, rayless goldenrod, burrow weed Yellow star thistle, St. Barnaby’s thistle, Russian knapweed Blister beetles (sometimes found in alfalfa hay, especially in the Midwest and Southwest) Ragworth/Ragweed
