Horse maintenance

First of all, why do you need a horse: horseback riding, professional equestrian sportor it will be heavy work. Thoroughbred sports horses should be given to training professionals. The maintenance of horses for equestrian sport requires special care. But we will talk about the content of ordinary riding horses.

Horse maintenance: choosing and renting stables

Horse health and beauty depend primarily on its nutrition and conditionscontent. If you do not have your own stables with a groom that you could control, rent a stall for her. In this case, the content of horses can be limited to you only by rent. Each groom will praise his stable and tell about the fabulous conditions of keeping horses, but words can not always correspond to reality. Before stopping at a choice, look at the other horses - in time your horse will become the same.

Pay attention to the appearance of the horse-lodgers. If they have a mane combed, wool overflows,there are no damages on the body, they are shod, do not show aggression, or do not go to the corner at the sight of you, then we can say that caring for your horse will be exemplary. The stall can also tell a lot: there must be fresh sawdust on the floor, which change every morning. Have a good look at several horses and their stalls. If you put only one horse as an example, be sure to ask others.

The rental fee includes:

• three meals a day (under certain loads the horse must be fed up to 6 times a day);


• Fresh sawdust in the stall, which change daily;


• daily walks;


• daily cleaning.

In the maintenance of horses it is necessary to include Additional services: veterinary services, horse forging, additional vitamins or goodies, anthelmintic preparations, equipment and additional training of the horse.

Pay attention to the location of the stables: whether there are places for horseback riding, what size is left, whether there are springboards for jumping. A good stable must be located outside the city or on its outskirts, away from noisy roads.

The maintenance of horses: items for cleaning

For horses, it is very important to clean their wool before saddle. During a walk on a horse, dust and small debris accumulate, because of which, under the saddle of the uncleaned horse, later the wounds can form. The kit for cleaning horses must be:

• Brush of whalebone with a stiff bristle length, which is used to remove dried mud from the feet.



• Hair brush with a short soft bristle, which is cleaned the entire body of the horse. On such a brush there should be a strap for fixing your palm.



• Metal scraper, which is needed to clean the brush. After a few strokes of the hair brush, it must be cleaned with a scraper. Only then will the brush perform its function, and not spread the dust all over the body of the horse.



• Brush for wet cleaning Used for wetting the tail and mane.



• Two sponges different colors or shapes, so as not to confuse them. One is necessary for washing the eyes and nostrils of the horse, the second is used in the region of the tail and perineum in the gelding.



• Hook To clean the dirt from hooves with a blunt end. After each walk it is necessary to check hooves and clean them if necessary. To prevent such a hook from getting lost in the litter, as it often happens, you can tie a bright ribbon or rope to it.



• A piece of suede or a wet cloth is necessary to obtain a shine on the horse's coat.



• Head scraper you can use rubber or plastic. They remove dirt from the wool in the area of ​​the bony protuberances. In order not to damage the skin, it is necessary to work with caution.



• Scraper from sweat Used to remove excess moisture from the wool.



• Metal comb for mane, which is necessary for pruning the tail and mane.



• Horse Shampoo, buckets and towels for washing the horse.



• As additional funds you can purchase a special massage pad, electric brush or other accessories for care. Before buying them, consult an experienced groom.

Visit your horse at least once a week. Before riding on horseback, clean the horse yourself - this will make it possible to establish a closer friendly contact with it. Bring with you delicacy: apple, carrot, refined sugar. But do not overdo it and listen to the advice of an experienced groom. When you come periodically, your horse will already be waiting for you and rejoice at every new trip.