So many of your tips and comments are on how to take care of a horse – so here’s another dollop of them for you:
“Hi Alastair,
I do use a bit on my bridle and to warm it up I hang the bridle around my neck and inside my jacket while I groom and saddle my horse. My body heat warms it well. However, of even more concern than a cold bit is a really hot bit in summer. I always check the temperature before using it and usually run it under cold water to cool it down if it is hot.
Regards
Robyn”
How to take care of a horse
“The head of the herd who the other hroses follow in regards to damger (real or assumed) is not necessarily the leader in other situations. For exmple the head of my small herd (4) is the most nervous when it comes to interacting with people. He has gained confidence by watching me work with the most confident in the herd and never tries to push forward during these training sessions. In fact if he sees me place something on the back of the most confident horse, he is less reticent for me to do the same with him. During these times leadership temporarily shifts; in other words it becomes situation-specific. Moreover from what I have observed generally, there tends to a great deal of mutual respect amongst a herd of happy, contented horses.
Jane”
How to take care of a horse
“Hi have just made a fly repellent out of rosemary and lemon boiled together, then left to steep overnight. I used it for the first time today and it seems to work really well.
Deb”
How to take care of a horse
“I to was petrified of cleaning my horses feet after he stomped on one of mine – but I learnt how to NOT get stomped on. Simply, stand parallel w/both of your feet together about 4-6 inches from his/hers. Just remember to work with him/her for a few times picking up their feet and give it back before they ask before you attempt to clean them, and do that exercise several times a week, rewarding them for giving you their foot. In a short time you will find that they will be more cooperative with the cleaning 😀
Sharon”
How to take care of a horse
“It makes sense to use the apple cider vinegar to help restore the pH of the hooves: I’m a massage therapist and advise our human clients after their session to soak in a apple cider vinegar bath to help ease the muscles and to help restore the pH.
Jackie”
Huge thanks to everyone! If you have anything you’d like to share on ‘how to take a care of a horse’ please do leave a comment below or mail me: al@horsecaretipsandtricks.com
Don’t forget, there are hundreds of posts like this on the blog, but the newsletter is the only way you can see them all.
Best
❓ I need help. I am a barefoot horse person, so I need not the convincing, but I have recently gotten a sweet, beautiful, KY Thoroughbread 6 yrs old never raced bc he has joint issues. He has been a blessing to our family. He came to us barefoot, but you can tell he’d been shod for quite some time. In the last week and a half he has come down with a bad limp, here it was an abscessed front right hoof. I’ve been using thrush remedies on it since the vet drained it. That’s been about a week now. Vet and farrier are telling me that if it gets worse again or doesn’t start to get any better in another week, the next step will be a padded shoe. I would really prefer to not go that route. Any suggestions?? Thank you all. – angel
Thoroughbreds can abcess really easily when barefoot .more often than not is a gravel situation,often it is real high and resists efforts to draw it down.walking stimulates it to move up so you may want to try drawing it up and out the coronary band.I once had a mare who showed up at feeding time from the pasture with a swollen leg to the knee . as she had an old bow, thought she’d strained it in pasture play.I go old school with many things and for her soaked leg wraps in cider vinegar,applied it still dripping (on the coronary)then cuped more vinegar into the top. The cider vinegar not only cooled the legbut softened the coronary and drew the abcess up.The very next morning cool tight tendon , an abcess had broken and drained through the coronary and she was sound.The added benefit is no compromise of the sole .another once would not flinch from hoof testers (sure sign it is high) finally after weeks of soaking, made him walk,it broke high and he was sound . I could have saved him weeks if I’d approached it that way earlier
Yes, I suggest give it more time. Most, but not all TBs need shoes, but it sounds like he needs some time to recover from abscess and whatever caused it. Possibly he has a stone bruise to recover from. Best to you.
Have you tried soaking it in hot water (as hot as you can stand yourself) and Epsom Salt? I have had to do this for my mare and it really helped. She got to the point she would put the other hoof in too. It must feel good to them. I usually did this for 15 min. at a time once a day. If you can do it twice a day that would be great.
I find it frustrating I get these posts 7 months after posted (It is mid July here in Aussie now!!)
The old time remedy of bread soaked in a hot water with dissolved Epsom salts. Pack while still warm into the hoof. Bandage, and change twice a day, (you will see the bad stuff come out) then when less, once a day, and when clear, Stockholm tar soaked in a cotton ball and stuffed into the cavity and change twice a day for 3 days, then once a day. Then paint the Stockholm tar until it heals up.
Needless to say – do not ride or work the horse until he walks and trots sound for at least 2 weeks!!
It has worked for my horses (when I used to have them shod – never lame in last 14yrs unshod – just my experience) but a friend’s horse had problems for 6 mths, despite numerous vet visits.
I did the above treatment, and she was sound in 6 weeks.
That is not to say you do not get a vet if your horse is lame – they are trained, but sometimes 300yr old remedies work!
Hi, Do not put a shoe on. It will make it worse, the abscess is there for a reason, it is the body’s way of getting rid of bad stuff. It is normal. Just soak foot in warm water and apple cider vinegar until it breaks, it will heal up fine.
would never recommend a vet to open up an abscess as it creates bacteria issues. Leave it to takes its own course, that is nature. An abscess to me is a good sign as the toxins are coming out. TIME is the essence of all healing. Movement is also so important 24/7
Check out The Spiritual Nature of Horse by Cathy Seabrook, DVM
May help the under lying cause while seeking treatment.
Angel,
I have treated a couple of abscesses before. You can soak the foot for about 15 mins in an Epsom salt amd warm water mixture. About 1 cup to 1/2 gallon water. Or you can make a draw bandage. Take about a cup of sugar and 1/4 cup betadine mixed together place this in a newborn baby diaper then put this on the foot with sugardine against the sole of the foot. Use the tape on the diaper to gasten around the foot. You can also make a pad of duct tape about 9″ by 9″ place the diapered foot onto the duct pad and pull it up around the side of the hoof wall. Place some more duct tape all the way around. If done correctly should stay on two days and draw the abscess out. Good luck, hope this helps. As always keep it checked by the vet.
good advice
good idea putting the bit around your neck
best Ive heard so far
Don’t agree with that – Horse’s sense of smell is strong, as is taste – A horse would not like that. Better in your back pocket, or inside jacket pocket.
If access to hot water, or carry a thermos Flask of hot water to pour on. That’s what we did in New Zealand.
I did do tho in summer in Australia, run the bit under the hose as she said – when working Polo Ponies in 115 degrees, they do appreciate it.
we dealt with this last fall. took in 3 year old from soft ground bottoms to our higher frozen rigid ground.barefoot, bruised immediately, developed abcess. did it all including buying boots, soaking ,diaper, etc…the very best thing is to take previous advice about poultice..the farm store sells a heavy platic piece that you cut to fit the hoof, use cotton or gauze pad to put poultice on to draw then use duct tape to hold this platic to bottom of foot. being careful about the lines and tightness. duct tape will hold this on. twice a day a.m. p.m. changed. you will watch it open and drain and know exactly when it is time to stop. our poultice was plain epsom salt drained for about 2 days. then put old fashioned iodine on pad until i saw it starting to close up. this process took us about 7 days. i looked everywhere for adive, my farrier was the greatest in this plastic piece. boots were a waste. good luck!!!
My Q horse had a very large abscesses under his hoof cleaned it with with apple cider vinegar then backed it with a fish oil wound cream bandaged etc.. then 30ml of apple cider vin. down the throat first couple of times he didn’t like it but then it became a treat
all cured no problem.
It can be a good idea to put honey or apple sauce on the bit too, so it becomes a treat.
For absess before they break – use numotizine in bottom of foot in a diaper with duct tape criss cross pattern to give it stability. Then as the diaper wraps above hoof and into hairy area, duct tape around the leg with the hair under the diaper and duct tape only touching the diaper to hold in place. It will pull the absess out the bottom of the hoof and release without cutting too much of the hoof out and and the poultice pulls it down so it hopefully will not break up high at the coronary band.
This diaper contraption is also great for other hoof issues for keeping it clean. If you put the duct tape as a solid tape bottom covering the diaper (criss cross pattern) then it will last for a few days depending on the activity of the horse. Cheaper than a medicine boot and guaranteed to fit.
We have been warming up our bridles for years by hanging them on a coat rack or hall tree in our door entry way during cold weather months. You also have to be careful during hot weather months too. Fred and Joan.
Angel, please do not go putting a padded shoe on your horse. Use boots instead. But I agree with the apple cider vinegar route.
I have a mare that I took in when she had no home. Last summer I fought with a horrible access for two weeks, at first I thought she had a bruise and after a few days I called the ferried, she found an abscess up high in the hoof. She drained it and I soaked it twice a day with warm water and Epsom salt. After it was clean I sprayed it with iodine and gave her penicillin shots for about a week. After 2 days of all that she was walking fine. I just kept doing it. I can see on the outside of the hoof the crack from the abscess and how much her hoof has grown out, it is very important to take good care of their hooves. I had her show up here with flat and flared hooves that were cracked and broke! 🙁
Thank-you for this very useful information from this website.
I have a dilemma,maybe someone can help. My daughter has just got a TB and has only been off the track for 3 months. She rides on a plot with lady who is very clued up about horses. My problem is the bit, we can,t seem to find a bit suitable for him. He,s ok with a straight bar, not ok with an apple bit straight bar. He seems to be best controlled with a copper roller. Unfortunately I have heard horrible stories about a copper roller. Can anybody shed some light on the subject.
😀 Thank You my sister an neice gettin into training Any advice helpful Me just like to ride
Hi I had an ex racer who was barefoot even though she was used as a trek leader horse and ridden 3-4 hrs most days 7 day wk! Admittedly most work on the beach but never needed shoes. Regular farrier visits and biotin! ! Started off because of abses but after left to grow and never looked back.
I am a new horseman.he is training me and i am training him. going real slow with tons of love. keep your great info. coming. rick
I’m new to riding. I really like the advice I read on this site about bonding with your horse. Currently I am taking lessons in English style riding though I have no interest in learning jumps,etc. I just want to learn how to ride and care for a horse.
We live in a part of Virginia,USA, that is horse country. We have enough room to put in a barn and pasture and we’re close to a riding trail. Some day I hope to get a couple of horses. One of them could just be a companion horse. I have been involved in dog rescue for many years and originally thought I would get a horse from a shelter or rescue. But from reading this site learned those horses are best left to an experienced trainer.
What are some good books to read about bonding w/ horses and other useful information? What are good ways to find a good beginner horse when the time comes. BTW, I am 56 years old. My husband grew up with horses but I’m not sure how much he learned about bonding with a horse. Currently, I ride a 16 year old, arthritic horse about 14 – 15 hands which is ideal for me.
Lastly, I’m 5’3 & 120 pounds. Am I too big for a large pony? I prefer a smaller horse.
Thanks soo much for any advice. I’m all ears.
Hi Lori, the rule of thumb for horse and rider wweight ratio established by the US Calvary is 1:4. In other words the weight of the rider plus tack and gear should not exceed one fourth of the horse’s body weight. I like this as a trail rider because of the long hours in the saddle. I’m your size and ride a 14 hand 800 lb Welsh 😉 Hope this helps,
CJ
Lori you are a tiny lightweight compared to some cowboys 200pounds. Roping cattle on these small horses. When i saw 120 pounds…haha. you are tiny and petite at 5’3″. You are fine. There is nothing more confidence building than an old horse. ELM equine leg magic or the millions of other stuff for arthritis. Down here in FLorida we have comfortable little cracker horses. Some cowboys feet almost touch the ground working cattle. You are fine and enjoy your pony. I love looking on you tube to learn different things. Put in your search and a lot of good information. I personally appreciate the videos that work horses naturally. If it looks unkind…it usually is. I too, many years ago, learned everything from an old gelding and thought i knew everything. When he died…i found out i didn’t know anything at all. I then realized i wanted to learn how to speak horse. There are many different videos offered.
Peruvion paso smoothest ride, important as we age. small compared to most. Purchase prices souldnt be consided the most imporant. Food, barns, tack, trailers, vets cost the same for a good horse as a cheap horse that needs training or special care.
The hoof takes about a year to completely grow out and be replaced with healthy hoof. If shoeing is necessary to heal the abcesse then afterward try using grass tips for a while. Then in an off season where you will not be riding much you can let the horse go barefoot and use a boot if necessary. It can take a year or two for the hoof to strengthen but it can be done. Do not keep the horse penned. They need to move and be on “clean” ground”.
I made a bit wormer!! Made a pouch put rice in it so it up !! I heat it up in the microwave for about 5 mints before I leave it’s still nice a worm by the time I get to the barn! I live about 20 mints away..
🙄 I’m a first time owner of a horse and rider
and I’m looking for some help tips
None of my horses wear shoes. My thoroughbred paint w
as broke down by a 350 lb person before she was three years old anyway she tore up her hind hock at the joint. Her left hind leg turns out really bad. My farrier recommended to run her barefoot and now she runs like the wind. Had her previous owners cared enough to get vet care instead they let her pasture heal. It is safer to walk them on paved roads and in mud. I know from personal experience. But you use your own judgement. Plus your horse will tell you.
I have a 16 year old quarter horse that has rain rot on one of his legs and the rot has gone into the hoof. Is there a natural remedy that I can use on this? I am brand new to horses and I want to do whats best for him.
Hi all. We had an ex rase horse which had very soft hooves and had been shod for several years. We noticed that she was getting “sore feet” every time she went out and were desperate for a solution besides steel shoes. An old man then told me to try old engine oil and paint the oil onto the outside of the hoof twice a day. It seemed a bit radical but in desperation I tried it. It took about two weeks before I saw the diferance. The horse’s hooves were no longer cracking and she seemed to take to a ride without sore feet. I will always be grateful to the old man. 😀
I have walker quater mix around18 yrs old had a lot of problem with his feet rotting because of th moisture in his hooves started using copper sulfate now I have no worries
Sugar is your best friend, in cuts assess, its natural antiseptic, really helps to clean all the gunk up
. My vet, who has been Worcestershire race horse vet for many many years, uses sugar for a lot things, Sugar water for runny eyes. Try it next time your horse/ dog or yourself get a cut.