Everything You Need To Know About Horses

Drinking Buckets For Horses

A study was carried out to test whether horses preferred drinking from buckets, a pressure valve bowl (where the horses have to push a plate to get water) or a float valve bowl (where the water automatically refills when it dips below a certain level).

The findings were that horses universally prefer to drink from a bucket, probably as it is easier to get to, had a greater diameter and was the closest to resemble their drinking habits in the wild. Not only that, but when restricted to the two automatic watering systems, it was found the horses spent more time using them to drink, yet got less water, causing an overall loss of body fluids.

So if your horse has an automatic watering system, it might pay to supplement this with a plain old bucket of water, especially during a hot spell or after exercise.

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Artificial Aids

Artificial Aids

Artificial aids should be used sparingly. They are generally harsher than natural aids, and have a stronger, less friendly effect.

Encouraging your horse with natural aids will get you alot further than forcing or frightening your horse into doing something for you. It is understandable that some horses require their riders to carry crops, or use them, but careful consideration should be made before striking a horse. A small tap with a crop can often reinforce the aid, and is usually enough to encourage the stubborn horse to work. A rider who can communicate with their horse properly shouldn’t need a whip. Using whips on young horses, or flightly horses is likely to make them resentful, and break down trust between horse and rider.

It’s best to think of a crop as an extension of the arm, nothing more.

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Mr Ed (Straight From The Horse’s Mouth)

There’s been a lot of discussion over the years about just how they got Mr Ed to talk.

Many believed he was fed peanut butter but that would have been a tad messy, plus given Mr Ed an almighty belly-ache. His trainer, Les Hilton, used nylon fishing line. The fishing line was attached to the headstall (which is why you never see Ed speaking without his headstall on) and runs through his mouth.

When Mr Ed is required to speak, Hilton gently pulls the line and Ed responds by moving his lips. It’s not a specially trained action but a natural response to something moving in his mouth.

And for another piece of trivia…. Ed had his “Off” days too, something the cast and crew on the show were well aware of. Occasionally Ed would stand dead still, wheeze and refuse to work, meaning it was time to call it quits for the day.

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Horse Melanomas

Though not an emergency, melanomas or tumors, do need to be checked and monitored for any changes.

More common on grey horses, they are especially common around the anus, perineal area, vulva, sheath and penis. They are most often black and may or may not be increasing in size.

The decision to remove a melanoma may be based on its location and how rapidly it is growing. Your vet should examine the melanoma and advise you on what changes to look for.

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Herbal Remedy For Horses Rescue Remedy

Everyone should have Rescue Remedy on hand to treat shock resulting from minor and major physical or emotional trauma. Treating a horse for shock minimises the recovery time from the accident or injury and prevents that experience having repercussions on future health or nervous system problems.

                                            Take some yourself at the same time.!

Rescue Remedy is also excellent for horses that tend to panic, even if it is a long standing pattern, for example floating, going to shows and so on. It can be useful when combined with Chamomile Tea. It contains five Bach Flower Essences, which work homeopathically. It is available from health food stores and specialty shops.

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The Cavesson Headcollar

The Cavesson Headcollar

What is a Cavesson?

The cavesson headcollar or headstall is a simple but strongly made bitless bridle with a low fitting, padded noseband, throatlatch and, in some cases, a browband. Some have a strap fitted from the centre of the noseband to the headpiece for added security and to prevent the noseband dropping lower than it has been fitted. It should not be confused with the ordinary noseband on a bridle, which is also often referred to as a cavesson.

The noseband of the cavesson headcollar is reinforced with a hinged steel band, to which three D rings are attached. The centre ring, which projects up to 4cm from the noseband, is usually swivel mounted while the side rings are generally fixed.

Why is it used?

Used by itself or in conjunction with a bitted bridle, the cavesson headcollar allows the effect of lunge rein to be completely separate from the action of the bit (and any aids that may be attached to it). As it elminates the possibility of the mouth being pulled or damaged should the horse try to break away from the handler, some trainers may also choose to lead a young horse with a cavesson headcollar fitted over a bitted bridle, attaching the rein to one of the D rings.

How should it be used?

The cavesson headcollar should be fitted closely to the head to prevent if from being pulled sideways when pressure is applied to the lunge rein but not so tightly it would cause discomfort. The noseband will be fairly low to give the handler greater leverage in an emergency, and the throatlatch done up tightly enough so the cheekpieces cannot slip forward over the horse’s eye. If the cavesson is being used in conjunction with a fitted bridle, it can be fitted either underneath or over the top. It is probably more effective and comfortable if used underneath the bridle, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the action of any aids (such as side reins) attached to the bit. If fitted over the top, consideration should be given to removing the noseband from the bitted bridle, to reduce bulk and allow the noseband of the cavesson to be done up as firmly as possible.

The lunge rein can be attached to the centre ring, which allows the horse to be lunged both ways without further adjustment, or to one of the side rings. There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods, so determine which is more effective for a particular horse.

Can anything go wrong?

When the lunge rein is buckled to the front D, it has a significant leverage effect, which can cause the hindquarters to fly outwards if the rein is used to strongly. If the cavesson headcollar is not fitted firmly enough, the noseband will tend to revolve towards the handler, drawing the cheekpiece on the opposite side forward onto the horse’s eye. Using side reins on the other D’s when the lunge rein is attached to the centre one will help to prevent this revolving effect.

A cavesson headcollar is not an essential aid for lungeing, but is stronger, more versatile and able to be fitted more securely than a normal halter, traits that make it a useful piece of equipment to have, especially when training the young horse.

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How Tight Should The Girth Be

The Big Squeeze

Are you guilty of doing up your horse’s girth as tight as you can in the belief it gives your saddle and you the best security?

Well Australian researchers have found that a girth done up too tightly can have a negative effect on your horse’s performance. The usual tension applied to a girth to keep a saddle on a TB racehorse was around 13kg yet they found anything over 10kg could alter performance.

They’re not quite sure why yet but it’s thought that it may force the horse to adopt different breathing patterns involving a greater use of the diaphragm which in turn affects performance. Alternatively, the soft tissue and fluid in the thoracic wall (the part between the neck and abdomen, enclosed by the ribs) could be displaced during exercise. But no-one knows for sure. Some horses didn’t seem as affected as others and saddle placement also played a part, so more research is needed.

Having said this, don’t leave your girth too loose, your security and safety is at stake !

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