Horse care is more than merely brushing off dirt from the horse’s coat before tacking up. Proper grooming techniques and a daily routine can make a big difference to their health and well-being. Equine owners may thus strengthen their relationship with the horses and look for any indications of potential health issues. Here’s a simple checklist:
Skin Health
Brushing can help distribute natural oils throughout the coat and increase blood flow to the skin. While natural oils repair hair and provide lustre to the horse, increased circulation supports the health of the skin. Common skin illnesses can also be prevented by keeping skin clean and clearing dirt from the coat. A moist, unclean hair serves as the perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. Additionally, routine grooming enables you to methodically examine your horse’s body for early indications of skin disorders or health problems. When issues are identified early on, you can seek treatment before worsening.
Hoof Care
The likelihood of foot disorders like thrush is decreased by maintaining clean hooves. Examining feet for indications of other hoof issues is a great idea when picking out hooves.
Riding Checks
It’s crucial to follow a grooming regimen before and after riding. A dirty horse may chafe under the tack, making riding uncomfortable for your equine companion. Proper grooming after a ride enables equestrian owners to look for rubs or other indications of misfitting gear. Sweat can harm your horse’s hair and cause the coat to fade, so shampooing your horse after a ride takes care of this issue.
Bonding for Health
In a herd, horses naturally groom one another to improve social bonds. Your horse may not be able to engage in mutual grooming if he cannot turn out in a group. Regular grooming helps strengthen the relationship between a horse and a rider. According to one study, horses are responsive to human pet-directed speech when being groomed. According to another research, good management and care, including grooming, can affect the interactions between horses and people.
How often should a horse be groomed?
You should always groom your horse every time you go for a ride. Pre-ride grooming helps owners ensure their horses are happy and healthy before mounting and prevents equipment chafing from a dirty coat.
Regular grooming is the best way to track changes in your horse’s health and identify issues as soon as they arise. Not every horse owner can afford to groom their animal every day. If you don’t have enough time for a full grooming session, try scanning your horse’s body with your hands and eyes to look for any lumps, bumps, cuts, or swellings. To avoid skin and coat problems, horses who aren’t in competition should have their coats groomed at least once a week.
Watching Out for Signs
Look closely for any indications of disease or injury whenever you groom your horse. If minor cuts are not properly managed, they may cause bigger problems or ailments. Any unusual discharge, swellings, or behaviors may indicate underlying problems.
