Horses are incredible animals whose strength, grace, and emotional intelligence have changed the course of history. While today’s horseman is more focused on pleasure riding or equine activities, caring for these gorgeous creatures is no less difficult. What do all newbies to the horse world rapidly learn? Horses require a lot of care, which entails a lot of work. We can help! Read on for some horse care tips from a Black Hills, SD equestrian veterinarian.
Hydration
Are you afraid that your horse is not getting enough water? Try adding some organic apple juice. You might also want to try adjusting the temperature slightly. Some horses don’t like cold water.
ID Hacks
Luggage tags can be useful on treks. Place your contact information on them, and voila! Your horse now wears ID tags. If something happened and your horse ran away, he would still have a connection to you.
Trail Smarts
In terms of trail riding, think about obtaining a fishing vest. All of those compartments are ideal for keeping munchies, your phone, a hoof pick, and a first-aid kit. (Of course, carrots and apples, too.)
Health Care Hacks
Keeping Silver’s hooves healthy is critical for your horse’s general health, movement, and wellbeing. Unfortunately, many of you may eventually encounter foot problems such as abscesses or thrush. Infant diapers are handy for applying poultices. They can also be wet and frozen to form ice packs.
Dispensers
Do you have something that has to be applied directly? Clean an old ketchup bottle. This is also an effective approach to apply hoof oil. You can also grab a dish scrubby and fill it with your favorite product to whiten Silver’s socks. This is useful to keep on hand for shows.
Shower Power
Regardless of how clean your stable is, dust will find a way to get everywhere. What can you do to protect your tack? Get clear shower curtains to hang or drape over your saddle racks. The rings and ring holes provide a great deal of versatility for working in various settings and configurations.
Cap it off
Shower caps can also be useful for portioning grains. Put them over buckets to keep flies away from your horse’s food. If you want to divide up portions at night to make early morning feedings easier, this could be a game changer.
Bait and Switch
Deworming is standard procedure for our equine companions. However, we have yet to effectively convey to Silver why it is vital. You can help him get adjusted to the process. The next time you have to treat your hooved pal for parasites, clean the tube and fill it with molasses. By providing Silver with goodies, he will become less resistant to treatment.
Is breaking ice in water buckets part of your winter morning routine? Try using a spaghetti spoon. A kitten litter scoop can also be effective.
To produce a homemade ice melter, mix one part water and three parts distilled vinegar. The same vinegar spray can aid with fly control in the summer. Simply spray it on manure mounds.
Clean Sweep
Another item on our ‘bucket’ list? Use a (new) toilet scrub brush to clean out those buckets.
Apron Tip
Aprons exist for one reason: to protect your clothing. While they were created to assist cooks avoid stains, they’re also extremely useful in a barn. Wearing one to groom Silver at least *slightly* lessens the likelihood of becoming fully covered in horse hair. Additionally, the pockets are ideal for storing brushes, hoof picks, and tiny bottles. (Your horse will not object if you use them for carrots or apples, either.)
Grain Storage
An old deep freezer can be useful for grain storage. It’s strong, insulated, and almost impossible for rodents to get into. You do need to be cautious here for safety reasons: find one that cannot trap someone within.
That’s A Bit Nicer
It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that putting a cold piece of metal in your mouth won’t be comfortable, especially in freezing weather. A crockpot can be a great way to warm up on a cold day. You may also use an electric kettle for this. Furthermore, you’ll have hot water readily available for cleaning, hot toweling, or simply washing your hands. Simply choose something that will turn off automatically and plug it into a surge-protected outlet. It’s also a good idea to check and ensure it’s turned off before leaving the barn at night. There’s one thing you can never be too careful about in a barn: fire.
Temperature Control
Equestrians must wear helmets for safety. However, they can become rather hot in the summer and do not provide adequate warmth in the winter. Wearing a bandana underneath can assist with both.
Preventing Mix-ups
Are you boarding your horse? People frequently struggle to keep their belongings separated from those of others. Use luggage tags or patterned tape to quickly identify Silver’s belongings. (In an ideal world, everyone at the barn would do this, but that’s another discussion.)
Tack Hacks
Shoe racks and hanging coat racks (with hooks) are an excellent way to hang bridles and far more beautiful than a board with a nail. You may also purchase these for a low price in secondhand stores. Attach a clean tuna can on a board and paint it all.
Make A Windbreak
Hedges have long been the standard in Great Britain, and not merely for aesthetic reasons. They also help to define land boundaries and protect local fauna. They also work well as windbreaks for animals! Look for non-toxic, fast-growing alternatives. Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Prunus, Photinia, and Thuja are excellent options.
Lighting the Way
A miner’s helmet or headband might be useful equipment if you are working at night or in a dark environment. It is far better to have and not need than to require or not have. Keep one in your trailer as well.
Shaving Seconds Off
This is a minor hack, but it may certainly make things easier. Do you use shavings as bedding? Instead of tearing apart the bag along the perforation, make an X over the wider flat surface. When you turn it over, all of the shavings fall out at once. This is much easier than trying to hold the bag up and shake it out.
Ice Blocker
Horses require turnout, even in the cold. Before you release Silver out onto a snowy field, apply hoof dressing or conditioner to his hooves. This will assist to prevent snow from clinging to his feet and generating ice balls.
Clean Polo Wraps with No Tangles
Wraps are a reliable staple, but they are not the simplest to keep clean. To avoid tangles, use a lingerie bag when washing them.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Black Hills, SD Equine Veterinarians
Are you looking for an excellent horse veterinarian? Please contact us for any of your horse’s veterinarian requirements. As your Black Hills, SD veterinary clinic, we look forward to offering outstanding service and care!
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