How often do you groom a horse?

How to clean a horse’s hair?

Use a curry comb and horse vacuum (if you have one) to get out as much dirt as possible before you shampoo. Use a mild shampoo designed for horses. This will allow you to get super clean, but won’t strip the skin and hair totally of those essential oils that create that “bloom” and shine. Less is more.

How to get a horse to stop running behind you?

Ask your horse to stop. It’s important he respects your space so, if he overtakes you, back him up and ask him to stop again. If he stops behind you when you ask, reward him with a small stroke between his eyes or a scratch on his withers.

How to control a panic in a horse?

When a horse panics and uses the reactive side of his brain, use only one rein to control him, and concentrate on getting him to use the thinking side of his brain by doing lots of changes of direction. The best way to gain immediate control of the situation is to yield his hindquarters.

How to train a horse not to run away from you?

You’ll do that by working the horse hard wherever he wants to be and letting him rest and relax where he doesn’t want to be. If the horse tries to rear up when you go to ride him away from the barn or other horses, work him hard at the barn or by the other horses.

How to get off a horse without getting stuck?

Lean forward to wrap your arms around the horse’s neck and slide yourself off of the horse. Make sure you avoid going in front of the horse as you exit it, as its front feet will be very dangerous mid-rear. Move off to the side and get away from the horse once your feet touch the ground.

How do you calm a horse when loading and unloading?

Practice every phase of loading and unloading until your horse will step in and out in a calm manner. The stress of transit can cause enough anxiety in some horses that they move restlessly, shifting forward and back and side to side in their confined space.

Should I unload my horse before driving on the road?

If possible, unload before tackling really rough or potholed areas and parking up – and if not, at least slow down. Any negative thought connection a horse makes concerning a trailer or lorry will cause him to become awkward about being loaded.

Why won’t my horse load for transportation?

While the loading and unloading process itself can be the root cause of fear or unwillingness to load for transportation, the vast majority of horses and ponies which are unwilling to load are reluctant due to previous bad experiences when on the road.

What should I do if my horse is having trouble driving?

Also take along a list of members in any horse organization you might belong to. Most horse people are more than willing to help a fellow horseman having trouble on the road. It’s also a good idea to have a list of places where you can stable your horse overnight, if necessary.

How to transport a horse in a car or lorry?

Consider using boards (and a few willing helpers) to direct your horse into the lorry or trailer, by minimising the alternative directions they can go in, effectively slowly ‘herding’ them onboard. Make sure the inside of the trailer or lorry is light and bright.

How to get your horse or pony to load?

Encouraging your horse or pony to load by using treats or a bowl of food may prove to be a simple fix, or provide some extra encouragement. Blinkers or a visor can be useful in keeping outside stimulus and stress to a minimum- your horse may be much more compliant and willing to be led onto the loading ramp while wearing them.

What do you do if your horse won’t load?

If the handler can’t maintain safety at all times and move with the horse, says Telatin, then the horse will find a way to delay loading. If you aren’t up to the task, call in a professional or take your horse to a trailer-loading clinic.

How do you approach a down horse safely?

“Approach (the down horse) safely,” he says. “Stay away from the legs; always approach from the back of horse. “ Madigan suggests owners “always have someone else present when approaching a down horse. Like having a (scuba) dive buddy. The situation can change rapidly.”

Can a horse and carriage fit in a trailer?

Depending on size of horse & carriage, you could probably get both in a trailer. I have an Equitrek spacetrekka, which I had the dealer make a little adaption to inside, and can fit my shettie and his carriage in comfortably! I’ve got a picture of an adapter that goes on the front of a trailer. All I have to do now is find it.

What size lorry do you use to transport your horses?

We have a 7.5 tonne lorry that can take 4 wheeler and 2X ponies (+has good living), or we have that and a flatbed lightweight trailer so we can fit 5 ponies in lorry and 2X carriages on trailer. Or we have a heavy 3.5tonne stabling trailer so we can take 3X carriages, 5X horses and stable 6 ponies/stall 6 horses.

How to get a horse to load faster?

Practise, praise and call it a day – Once your horse has loaded, praise him. Spend a couple of minutes gently rubbing between his eyes and let him relax. Then, when you feel ready, try again. Take care not to overdo it – four or five times is enough.

How to approach a horse in its stall?

When approaching a horse in its stall, be sure to let them know you are there first. Once you have opened the stall door, wait to approach the horse until it sees you. You don’t want to approach a horse from the behind because it may startle them, causing them to kick.

How many horses can you fit in a stabling trailer?

Or we have a heavy 3.5tonne stabling trailer so we can take 3X carriages, 5X horses and stable 6 ponies/stall 6 horses. We also have a horse trailer that can take a 4 wheeler or 2 ponies/horses…

What are the weight designations for horse lorries?

The weight designations and their associated licences are as follows (note that we have only listed requirements as they apply to horse lorries): Category C1 – This licence is for vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. Additionally, trailers of up to 750 kg can be towed using this licence. This would be for only the lightest horse lorries.

How do you train a difficult horse to load?

While ill-mannered horses present a unique challenge for loading, all horses can be taught to be responsive, says master horseman Jose Alejos. If we use common sense. “I don’t have a certain method for training a difficult horse to load,” he explains. “I try to go by feel and use my common sense.

How do you lock up a horse in a stall?

Always stay behind the horse’s back, never on the same side as his legs/feet. If the horse is positioned up against the side of the stall where the door is located, open the door and talk to the horse, making sure you have his attention.