How To Care For Your Horse

The above picture is an example of a basic grooming kit. That, along with a first aid kit (for horses ), tack and tack care products, feed, blankets and of course a place for them to sleep, is all you really need for taking care of you wonderful four footed, *ahem* four hooved friend.

Grooming Kit

• Dandy Brush--A brush with stiff bristles for removing dirt.
• Body Brush--Used for removing dust and grease from a horse's coat
• Metal Curry Comb--Used for cleaning other brushed. NOT to be used on the horse it's self.
• Rubber Curry Comb--For removing mud and loose hair
• Water Brush-- Used to apply water to a horse when washing
• Mane Comb-- For getting knots out of their manes
• Hoof Pick-- To pick out stones that may become lodge in their hooves during a ride. If not take out, these stones can become and injure the horse severely.
• Cotton wool--Used for cleaning eyes, nose and dock area
• Sweat Scraper-- For removing excess sweat or water from the coat.
• Stable Rubber- Add a final polish to your clean horse

First Aid Kit

• Bedatine-- like Iodine, wash out any wounds with this as soon as possible.
• Hydrogen Peroxide-- For deep wounds or punctures
• Neosporin and Nolvasan-- atisepic ointments that promote healing. Re-applied twice daily after the wound has been tended too by a vet.
• Sterile Gauze-- Use when cleaning out wounds
• Sterile Tape-- To adhere bandadges
• Topical Eye Ointment--comes in handy when a horse injures his eye and a vet is not immediatley available
• Rectal Thermometer--An adult horse's normal temperature is between 99.0 and 101 degrees F
• Injectable Sedative and Pain Killer-- Keep a small does of each avaible. Can help in cases of colic.

Things to do Everyday

• Clean out the stall-- Fresh flooring and wipe down the water bucket, hay net etc...
• Check the food- See that their grain and hay is dry and fresh, check for bugs are discoloration, and make sure that the horse is eating.
• Check for any signs of cribbing, kicking, windsucking, weaving and stall walking. For more information on these and other bad habits check out this website: http://www.equusite.com/articles/behavior/behaviorBadHabits.shtml
• Ride or exercise daily-- If you can't ride or run them on a lunge line, at least turn them out into a paddock.
• Check the hooves for any stones, discoloration or tenderness.
• Check the the paddock for dangerous plants and garbage.
• Daily grooming is wonderful for you and your horse. It helps to bond you together, and also provides a sense of relaxation for you and your horse.
• Run your hands over their legs and body to check for wounds or tenderness.