Horsey & Equestrian Blog - Everything Equine and Horsey

Taking Care of Your Horses In The Heat

manesntails — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:34:09 +0000

We go to great lengths to make ourselves comfortable in the hot weather, air conditioning, fans, cold drinks. What should we do to ensure our horses are also comfortable through our hot, dry and dusty summer?

1. On the priority list

WATER is definitely right at the top! As a general rule of thumb, horses drink 3-4% of their body weight each day, with this percentage increasing following work or during hot conditions. A 550kg horse will therefore drink (in normal conditions) around 22 litres of water per day, with 50 litres not out of the question in hot weather or after work. If your horse is getting his water supply via buckets don’t forget to take into account the evaporation factor, and also ensure that water remains cool. If it becomes tepid, your horse may not drink and could suffer from dehydration. Be aware that you may have to replace or top up during the day. Obviously the best scenario is for your horse to have access to clean, fresh water where he can just meet his own requirements. Horses should be cooled down after work however before being allowed free access to water.

2. On the priority list

Your horse, like yourself, will appreciate being able to get out of the direct sun in the heat of the day. Therefore shade is important. If there are no trees to provide shade in the paddock, a roofed shelter is desirable. if your stables are cool and well ventiliated, you may decide to keep your horse in during the day and out at night.

3. On the priority list

Light rugs, sometimes referred to as ‘fly sheets’, are useful in keeping your horse comfortable in the heat and less annoyed by insects (hint: light colours deflect the heat). Fly veils can also provide your horse with a higher degree of comfort in the daylight hours, but for safety, check regularly. A good fly control program is important as flies and other biting insects can carry diseases, cause sores, annoy any existing wounds and provoke allergic reactions. You may wish to regularly apply a fly repellent, there are a number on the market that are purposely designed for horses. Covering your horse up from the sun will also ensure that his coat does not suffer any “bleaching” .

4. On the priority list

If your horse has a pink muzzle or other sun sensitive parts on his body, apply zinc cream or sun block. For the muzzle you can attach a U.V. flap from the headstall to protect his nose from the sun. 5 On the priority list - When temperatures really soar, your horse will enjoy a cool hosing or sponging down, to bring down his body temperature. Make sure you scrape the water off afterwards though or it will form a blanket of its own and trap heat to the horse.

5. On the priority list

If possible do not stable a hot horse. Standing still in a confined area whilst hot can cause the horse’s temperature to rise even higher. Walk the horse in the open air to cool off and allow him to stand where there is plenty of air to flow over his body. If possible, plan your ride to avoid the hottest part of the day, kinder on you and him!.

6. On the priority list

Assess the availability of summer feed and the body weight/condition of your horse regularly as paddock pasture is soon dried out and burnt off by the sun. You should supplement his diet with hay when the pasture is minimised as the digestive system of the horse is designed to continually process fibre.

7. On the priority list

You should also develop in advance a plan of action to be carried out in the eventuality of a bush fire. The development of a survival plan that meets your individual needs is important. Whether you decide that you would transport your horse to a safe district, or place him in the safest part of the property (which may be a closely grazed paddock, green swampy area, well fenced large sand menage), the main thing is to have a plan in place.

8. On the priority list

You should also make every effort to remove any fire hazards such as long, excessive grass and leaf litter from around buildings and stables. Clean gutters regularly and store hay, shavings etc. away from the stable block throughout summer.

Samantha writes articles on several subjects including horse health issues, horse riding tips and horse rescue stories. To read more articles please visit our Horse Riding website

Horses and ponies - Understanding their needs

manesntails — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:09:49 +0000

The right pet for you?
Owning a horse or pony is rewarding, but a huge responsibility and very hard work. You need a lot of land, time, money and commitment.

What do horses and ponies need?

Companionship - to be with other horses, ponies, donkeys, goats or cattle and to have human company.
Regular and frequent feeds of grass and fresh hay, apples, carrots and corn feed.
A constant supply of fresh, clean water to drink.
At least one hectare of pasture, with strong and safe fencing. This must be well managed and ideally divided in two, so that one area of grass can be rested while the other is used. Check for poisonous plants.
A shelter to protect them from cold, windy or hot weather.
Daily exercise or to be turned out in a large area.
To have stones and grit removed from their hooves every day before and after exercise.
If they are kept in a stable, they must be groomed and mucked out every day.
Visits from a farrier every four to eight weeks.
To be microchipped in case they are lost or stolen.
To be visited by a vet if they are ill or injured.
Regular injections to prevent certain serious diseases.
Worming every six to eight weeks.
To be looked after when you are on holiday.

Life span
Most horses and ponies live for over 20 years.

Behaviour
Horses and ponies are herd animals and may get upset if kept alone. Human company is also important. It is better for them to live outside than be permanently stabled, but they must have shelter available. All horses and ponies need to be able to roam and graze in a field or paddock.

Training and handling
Before taking on the responsibility of a horse or pony, do make sure you have had adequate tuition in horse care. Training may be available from a reputable riding school or equestrian centre. Alternatively, contact the British Horse Society on 0870 12 02 244.

Horses and ponies are very sensitive animals and are easily frightened or upset. Approach their heads slowly and speak as you do so. Sudden noises or unexpected movements can cause alarm and make the animal difficult to handle.

Breeding
The RSPCA advises you do not breed from your horse or pony unless you have the facilities and expertise to properly care for a foal.

Females (mares) over three years old come into season every three weeks from early spring to midsummer. Males (stallions) reach breeding age at two years. A castrated male is called a gelding. Males should be castrated before they are two years old.

Health
Horses and ponies should be vaccinated against serious diseases, including equine flu and tetanus. Equine flu is a very contagious virus - symptoms include fever, cough, runny eyes and nose, depression and loss of appetite. Do not ride a horse or pony with a cough except on veterinary advice.

If a horse or pony’s breathing becomes louder and more noticeable at rest and during light exercise, they may have broken wind, also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and will need to see a vet.

A horse or pony may develop colic - pain in the stomach due to indigestion, gas, or worms. Seek veterinary advice straight away. Horses should be routinely treated for worms.

Laminitis is a very painful inflammation of the sensitive part inside the hooves. It can cause lameness and deformity, so seek veterinary advice straight away. Too much food and too little exercise cause it.

Horses and ponies may suffer from thrush, a foul smelling inflammation in the foot. This is caused by dirty, wet bedding or poor farriery.

It is a good idea to take out insurance to cover veterinary fees for your horse or pony.

British Eventing adopts ‘one fall and out’ rule

manesntails — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:02:40 +0000

After thorough consideration and consultation, the Sport Committee of British Eventing has decided to follow the lead of the FEI and introduce the ‘one fall and out’ rule for rider falls at a fence on the cross country phase at all national competitions with effect from 1st August 2008. The Sport Committee has however decided not to apply the same rule to the Show Jumping phase.

Currently the FEI rules state that elimination will occur after the first fall of the horse and the second fall of the rider. The reason for the change is that of safety, resulting from difficulty in medical evaluation in the field. Mild concussion together with a subsequent lapse in judgment could result in serious injury to rider or horse. It is also a fact that once riders have had a fall they will not be in a competitive situation.

The ‘one fall and out’ rule was approved in June by the FEI. From 1 August, all riders competing at events run under FEI rules will be eliminated after one fall either in the Cross Country or Show Jumping test. The new ruling will apply to all competitors at the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Mike Etherington-Smith, Sport Director of British Eventing says: “The Sport Committee discussed this matter at considerable length at its recent meeting weighing up all the implications and although we all understand the frustration that will be felt in some quarters we have to recognise that this is primarily a safety issue. The decision was made with much reluctance and will be reviewed at the end of the season.

A fantastic Seabiscuit tribute…

manesntails — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:46:33 +0000

I found this on youtube, posted by LuvRavenwoood who introduces this video as:

“I put my favorite quotes in the video from Seabiscuit, which is my favorite horse movie!
I put my favorite of all the quotes at the end which makes me cry every time i watch the movie!
By the way this video took me 2 weeks to finish…”

Enjoy :o)

The odds were incredible. The dream was impossible. And somehow, it actually happened.

It is the story of three lost men: Johnny “Red” Pollard, a young man whose spirit had been broken; Charles Howard, a millionaire who lost everything; Tom Smith, a cowboy whose world was vanishing. They found each other and discovered hope in an unlikely place.

You can buy Seabiscuit on DVD for £4.99 from Play.com

Boot Fitting, How to fit custom boots - Horse Girl TV

manesntails — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:18:04 +0000

Horse Girl TV 2008! Its Here :o)

manesntails — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:17:09 +0000

Horse Care - Basics All Horse Owners Should Know

retroperspective — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:05:29 +0000

Owning a horse is a great responsibility. Horses are, by nature, companionable animals designed to graze in open spaces with their herd.

While they will learn to adapt to stable life, it is vital to exercise your horse to satisfy its physical needs. Also, a horse will become bored and discontented if it does not have the regular company of humans and other horses.While there is no exact acreage requirement for horses, it is generally considered that one acre of pasture per horse is sufficient. Before pasturing your horse, check the pasture for trash, holes in the fencing, and other hazards.

You must check for poisonous plants in your pasture weekly, at the very least. The most harmful plants are yew, deadly nightshade, ragwort, foxglove, buttercups, oak leaves and acorns, bracken, laurel, privet, meadow saffron, castor bean, locoweed, horsetail, star thistle, and sorghum.Your pasture must be fenced, of course, to prevent your horse from escaping or being injured. White rail fences look great, but are costly to install and maintain. Plain wire fencing is fine if it is well-secured to strong wooden posts. Barbed wire is not recommended for horse fencing.

Your horse will require shelter to protect it from wind, rain, and the sun. A natural grove of trees provides good shade, but for shelter from the elements, a three-sided enclosure works the best. Make sure your shelter is large enough to enable all your horses to fit inside together, and build it so the back wall faces the prevailing wind.

Horses require a constant supply of fresh, clean water. If you plan to use a watering bucket, you must refill it at least twice daily and whenever it is empty. Putting the bucket inside a tire will keep it from being easily tipped over. A watering trough, supplied by a pipe, is better, but must be checked during winter weather to ensure the pipe and water surface have not frozen.

Proper bedding is vital for horses kept in a barn or stable. Horses should not stand all day on a hard floor, and they will lie down to sleep or rest. Straw is a popular bedding choice because it is inexpensive, warm, and comfortable. However, straw occasionally contains fungal spores, and the horse will occasionally eat straw bedding.

Dust-free wood shavings are clean and hygienic. You can also use rubber matting for a soft resting and standing surface, but you should put straw or wood shavings on top of it to provide warmth. Also, hemp has become a popular bedding choice recently.

The stable must be cleaned (‘mucked out’) daily. If your horse is stabled all day, it should be cleaned three times daily. To muck out the stable, you will remove any droppings with a shovel and wheelbarrow, and level the horse’s bedding.

After you have removed the droppings, separate the soiled bedding from the still-clean bedding material. Sweep, and then clean the floor with a stable disinfectant. After the floor is dry, return the clean bedding to its place, then add fresh bedding material to make up for the removed soiled amount.

If your horse is stabled most or all of the day, it will require grooming daily to keep its coat healthy. However, don’t over groom a horse that spends most or all of its time in the pasture. The natural oils in its coat help to keep your horse warm and dry.

20% Off Entire Joules Clothing Collection

manesntails — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:27:51 +0000

The Joules Clothing Summer Sale is here - Theres 20% off their entire collection! Get it quick because like all Joules sales, they sell out really fast, Click below to check out the sale.

Equine Bliss - A connection between horse & rider…

manesntails — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:39:19 +0000

Every person is capable of developing the ultimate blissful relationship with their horse. Equine Bliss are devoted to encouraging people to accomplish this through natural communication that the human can learn and the horse can understand. At equinebliss.com, you can purchase DVD’s and eBooks to really find out about how to connect with your horse. They have a wonderful blog that is packed with tips and information about horse care and is a lovely read that is written by people who are passionate about horses.

WIN a pair of Joules Wellies - its free to enter!

manesntails — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:12:16 +0000

Manesntails are offering visitors the chance to win a pair of Joules Wellies.

All you have to do is tell them why you love Joules Clothing…

They will send you a list of available wellies to choose from,

i’ve been informed this will include almost all the new welly styles.

Prize Draw ends April the 30th 2008