Spring Cleaning
Spring Cleaning
Spring is finally here. The rains are falling, the mud is engulfing the land, and the horses are hairy gobs of goo! The worst part is some of us are finding that with work and school, there isn't enough time to groom them regularly. We strive to find the time to be able to greet our horses three times a day with hay and other goodies. It's still necessary to find time to groom them, though! Well . . . maybe.
Throughout the winter, especially in the colder regions, it is healthier for horses to be turned out. They are able to move away from their wastes, find a dry, comfortable place to sleep, and play in the snow when they need to burn some energy. If you find that you don't have time to do more than feed your horse, then turning your horse out is a wise choice.
When horses live out in the pasture all winter, it is important that they are not over-groomed. The dirt and oil that accumulates in the coat act as protection from the weather. It is probably best to groom only before riding.
In the spring, however, conditions change and so does the horse's coat. Our hairy gobs of goo are turning into hair producers, which decorate the landscape with souvenirs of their winter coats. This transition requires a change in the grooming schedule. It is now necessary to use a shedding blade to remove excess hair. A shedding coat is prone to pests and skin conditions such as lice and rainrot. Regularly shedding the coat can help keep it healthy.
All year round it is necessary to pick the horse's hooves and check for problems such as thrush. If thrush occurs, a good remedy to try is liquid grapefruit extract. It is non-toxic and won't harm the horse's hooves in any way.
The transition from winter to summer also requires a good cleaning of the horse's stall or other home. Aside from cleaning out the occasional road apple, clean out all of the muck that's been building up all winter, and spread lime on the floor or ground to soak up moisture and prevent mold (the flies don't like it either). Also grab grab a broom and knock down all of the cobwebs in your barn. Clean the windows and feed bins. As a bonus to having a clean bar, this experience allows you and your horse to spend some time together. You do the work. He'll watch.
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Last revision: May 5, 2002