Horse care tips

I have a collection of your horse care tips today – as usual, it’s the comments where all the good stuff is:

“Hi there,

I prefer natural remedies rather than chemical interventions such as bleach.
How about using Colloidal Silver.

Colloidal Silver is an natural antibiotic. I haven’t used it on thrush in feet but it is amazing for external sarcoids.

Cheers

Jane”

Horse care tips

“Hello

Just wondering .. we bought a mini pony 3 weeks ago and were advised he would be fine by himself as a backyard pet. However we don’t get to walk him everyday especially now it is dark by 5:30.

He has started biting us and kicking.

Do ponies get sad / lonely.

He is 6yo gelded.

Thank you for your advice, I don’t know who else to ask.

Thanks Amanda”

Horse care tips

“I love your website, I have heard many times that horses have no depth perception, and therefor if you spray paint a line horses wont cross over it unless they are told to is this true or an old wives tale??? thank you

Michael”

Horse care tips

“I know many people use WD 40 for tangles and difficult to comb manes and tails, but it’s not natural and healthy – it’s made from petroleum products. Try using non – stick vegetable spray instead. Just spray on and brush. Tangles and burrs will comb out easily and it’s natural. After all, it’s safe for human consumption and it’s economical. We have 16 head of horses and use it on all of them.”

Horse care tips

“I must thank you once again, for sending all these tips. I am just soaking them up. I grew up in Namibia on a cattle farm, with working horses trained ( broken in) by our farm workers, who only taught them to gallop. They taught me to ‘ride’ too, (that means to stay on and not fall off) but my mother wouldn’t allow any whipping. Man, these horses were WILD. Now I live in SA and have an ex-riding school horse who was expelled for bad behaviour, and a TB. And I’m learning lots.

Thankyou, Thankyou,

I love this site.

Ré Roux”

Horse care tips

“Have your horse step on the paper plate while applying hoof oil (if he/she) is comfortable, so you don’t have the sawdust, dirt, etc. sticking to the hoof.

If your horse likes to chew on a part of his stall, take a bar of all natural soap (that won’t hurt the horse) and rub it on, it discourages chewing with an unpleasant taste!

If you put 1 cup of apple vinegar in your horse’s water tank, it kills mosquitoes and prevents algae from growing.

Put a cheep shower curtain over expensive bridles and halters to keep off sawdust and water, especially in the winter time.”

Horse care tips

“Hi Al,

I heard of a neat trick this guy played on his gelding who reared up on him all the time…

He filled a balloon with warm water, and on the last time (and I do mean the last one) the gelding reared up, he broke the water balloon on top of the gelding’s pole. The horse had a heart attack… (they ARE free, after all). He probably thought (because of the warm water) that he was bleeding to death.

And he never reared up after that…

Pretty cool, huh? Say… It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten any updates or news from you… I hope you are Ok and I look forward to hearing from you or looking up your site soon!

Blessings,

Sonya”

A big thanks to everyone who has contributed! Please do keep your horse care tips coming, just leave a comment below or email me: al@horsecaretipsandtricks.com

This post reminded me of this one:

More of your horse advice.

Best

Al

horse care tips

61 thoughts on “Horse care tips”

  4. Rick

    well as your message asked , I had Not been getting the “Tips”.
    and as I posted last time I was on I am keeping you Informed as to My progress with my Mare.
    we rode yesterday Started in the morning, rode down our lane to a highway crossed and road more lanes, and to get home we rode the state route ( mostly on the shoulder, the mare is Greenbroke, and doing well. she doesn’t mind the cars and trucks anymore , even the Maintainer (road-grader) didn’t turn her.
    and for Amanda, yes horses and donkeys do get lonely as they are herd animals, I find that lots of love and Not letting the horse Push YOU around to work well and even if you must walk in the cold, the horse will know it is loved and NOT ALONE. be his herd-mate a bit, play ball, and just laugh and enjoy with him.
    I’m NOT an expert, But just old and been off horse for fifty years, and now training a 3-1/2 year old Quarter horse mare, Its all coming back and the mare is doing very well including with traffic.

    Reply
  6. Christie (Chris) Herrick

    No I have not been getting your mail and I have really missed reading your pages hope I get it back ….

    Reply
  8. Ardis Beach

    I have a 20 yr old QH gelding with small lumps at his throat latch area. They are growing. I’ve had the vet out many times (his grandpa had the same lumps which grew to be HUGE). These don’t seem to bother him to eat or drink. Runs, plays, etc but seems “sad” at times. The vet thought maybe like a goiter. A friend suggested using Iodine drops 2 d/2 days, off 2 days, then keep repeating. At first I thought it was actually reducing them in size, now they seem to be growing again. Need help. This same horse always has slightly watery eyes with “matter” in the corners at times. I am using Sovereign Silver as an additive in his grain. He has a dry cough sometimes. Vet gave him a Kenolog shot & it seemed to help some. Any advice?? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Binbons

      One of the polo horses at the yard had the same thing. They were found to be benien cancers and didnt cause her any problems 🙂 she played polo while she had them etc if it is the same thing there is no cure but it doesnt seem to cause them problems x

      Reply
      1. Ardis Beach

        Thank you Binbons for your reply… helps to “ease” my mind some. So do you have any idea, will the drops of iodine benefit him or should I stop giving them??? Thanks!

        Reply
      2. Rainy

        If your horse is a grey, it probably is a benign cancer. The lumps can appear anywhere, in the mouth, under the tail, on the sheath etc. It is said to be caused by the withdrawing of the black pigment into clusters as the horse gets older and greyer to appear as non life affecting cancerous lumps and bumps. This is what I was told when my beautiful little gelding was afflicted.

        Reply
    2. Noelle

      This sounds terribly like strangles which appears exactly as you have described. I don’t mean to scare you, yet this is very scary. Usually one or more lumps appear under the jaw. If it is strangles, I would think your vet would know. Treatment consists of isolating the horse from other horses as it is terribly contagious, then piercing & draining the abscess(es), giving antibiotics, etc. Many horses die from this, so if this is what it is, it needs treatment now. I hope this is not what your horse has, but it must be considered. Wishing good health and happyiess to you and your horse.

      Reply
      1. Ardis Beach

        Not strangles. I know what that is & how to treat it but thank you for your concern. It is the same as his g’dad had and he lived to be 31 yrs old. All systems worked well. I have the vet out regularly for exams and for sure if there is a health issue. Again, thank you for your suggestions and concerns. God Bless.

        Reply
  11. Adara

    Dear Amanda,

    Yes, ponies do get sad and lonely, but you can’t always buy a another pony to keep it company. A dog, cat, or dwarf goat can also be a good companion for a pony.

    What are you doing when your pony bites or kicks. Does he do it when on a halter or when you try to pet him in the field or something?

    Reply
  17. Jane

    So good to hear from you again. As a very new horse owner, I am soaking up all the tips from everyone. What a great forum.

    Reply
  18. Garry Meek

    Apple Cider vinegar sprayed on the hoof bottom on a regular basis is another cheap and effective way to prevent thrush. For severe problems, say between the heel bulbs, make a mixture of water, athlete’s foot ointment and polysporin and inject with syringe into effected area. Works like a charm.

    Reply
  24. Julie

    So glad to be getting your emails again. I find some awesome tips on here and enjoy reading other peoples issues and learning from them.
    I seem to be unable to reply to the individual questions so for Amanda with the pony: If you have him in your back yard and there isn’t much room, he is probably bored and not getting enough exercise. Longe him every other day for 5 to 10 minutes and yes get him a buddy like a kitty or small dog. Just watch to make sure he doesn’t kick at his new companion. Introduce them thru the fence for a couple of days. Pop him on the nose when he tries to bite. Many Blessings

    Reply
  27. Peg

    Good morning to everyone, I love reading the questions and answers on this site. It’s very helpful and I’m soooooooooooo glad it’s back.

    Thanks

    Reply
  30. Naj

    😯 wow its been a looong time… Great getting mail from you again. Tnx 🙂 And tnx to everyone for the useful tips!

    Reply
  34. Delphi Haines

    Amanda – your mini pony is adjusting but yes he clearly needs company and yes, it does not need to be another pony although this would be ideal, but another ‘herd’ member – goat, sheep, mini donkey would be your best bet but I do have to ask what your experience with horses is to date? Is he your first and have you had horses in the past?

    Reply
  35. Bob Read

    We have a quarter palamino 5 yrs, Very good on trail or arena, but gets very high strung when tied up or away from other horses. JUst wondered if there is a good calmer that you would recommend? Or is it a good idea to give them anything.

    Reply
  37. Cher

    I have a few comments~the first is for Michael. There is some truth to a horse’s lack of depth perception. I had a horse years ago that would jump over the painted lines on the road. I had another one that was very leery of stepping on darker patches of asphalt.

    My next comment is regarding getting tangles & burrs out of your horse’s mane & tail. I use a mixture of vinegar & Skin So Soft to repel mosquitoes & discovered by accident that it’s wonderful for tangles & burrs.

    I’ve also used the water balloon trick successfully on a horse that was a little light in the front end. She stopped rearing.

    My last comment is for Ardis. You may want to have another vet out for a second opinion. I’m not sure if the lumps in your horse’s throatlatch area are lymph nodes (swollen) or something with the horse’s guttural pouch, which is located in the throatlatch area. It’s very important that you get this checked out. If there’s a problem with the guttural pouch,it can be VERY serious! By serious, I mean deadly. Don’t wait to see if this goes away!

    Reply
  38. Kerry

    I use Satin Sheen from TSC. I do not care how bad the mane and tail are I spray that, wait and the tangles come out easily. It does not leave a oily look and after that it is easy to comb my horses maneand tail out.

    Reply
  39. Joyce

    My 8-year old mare has had lumps under her throatlatch since mid-spring. My vet thought it might be allergies. We ran some blood tests, all results were normal. The lumps are smaller, but still there.. Guttural pouch infection is a good suggestion, which I am going to watch as well. However, I think there would be some nasal discharge from the guttual pouches? And yes, an infection in the pouches is very serious..
    I too am very happy to be receiving your emails again!

    Reply
  40. Patti

    I have just started using a small amount of Virgin Coconut Oil on my girls’ tails and manes- massage it in and brush it through thoroughly. Beautiful shine, helps keep it tangle-free, and so far, doesn’t seem to be oily or attract dirt. To help prevent/heal thrush, I have used Peroxide in a small pump-spray bottle. It really helped heal my one girl’s foot when she had a small abcess cut out. I held her hoof, and sprayed the bottom of it until it was dripping off. Then, I held her foot up for a minute or so. The longer you can hold it up and let it work it’s way in, the better!

    Reply
  41. kelly

    Hi i also havnt been getting the email and i love them!Horses should always be paddocked with at least 1 other horse and if thats not possible next to another horse. They are herd animals and need another horse to feel safe groom each other and just be horses. I feel soooo sad seeing horses kept alone in tiny little paddocks. Horses just want to be able to graze and to b in with at least one other horse. buy a cheap shetland pony for company 🙂

    Reply
  44. Wendy

    I would not recommend a goat for company. We had two pygmy goats as company for my cob. with a few month they had eat more than half her tail 👿 . We have now adopted another cob from a rescue center and they have taken the goats,she is so much more content now. Her tail is now growing back but its a slow process. 🙁

    Reply
  45. Deb Davey

    Like everyone else I am happy to be getting your emails again. Love all the tips and help offered by everyone

    Reply
  46. louisa Esterhuizen

    I love reading all the comments, have not read much in the past, but have missed a lot of good tips. Keep up the good advice given.

    Reply
  47. Dayna

    So glad to get your Emails again I thought I got kicked off somehow
    I do have a question
    Im in IL and go to a small boarding property of 5 acres almost every day We just got a new horse that is 10y/o from KY his owner raised him there
    He only had one friend there he was close to now she said she can see the sadness in his eyes which breaks my heart I hope he can find a friend here but how do we make him feel better in the mean time. He has been here almost a month.

    Reply
  52. Sandy. Walden

    Haven’t heard from you for awhile. Can someone tell me what l can feed a young horse that has Australian string halt. Have been giving her dolomite.

    Reply

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