Equestrian Info

May 13, 2008

CLOUD 9

HORSE CARE AND EQUINE MASSAGE

Horse Veterinarians of British Columbia | House and Horse Sitting Services |John Lyons Training Articles|

Treeless Saddles|

Equestrian Information

Horse Boarding Establishments

FIRST AID KIT

Vetwrap (lots of vet wrap as it doesn't long)

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 scissors 
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non stick gauze 
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digital thermometer (vaseline) 
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Antibiotic Ointment 
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betadine solution (to be diluted in Saline for washing

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first aid book
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quilts 
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standing wraps 
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Calamine lotion
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Rescue Remedy 
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sponges 
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masking tape 
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epsom salts 
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Gamgee, gauze diapers, cottons or other absorbent padding

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Zinc Cream for sunburns
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a thermometer 
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a stethoscope 
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a container of bute 
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a banamine shot 
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green wound cream 
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a set of 4 stable wraps 
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a small flashlight for checking eye injuries

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sterile gauze pads 
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a roll of absorbent cotton for bleeding injuries

Hibitane, both the solution and the cream

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Nitrofurazone 
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Wonder dust 
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Swat 
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large safety pins 
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various syringes/needles
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mineral oil 
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iodine
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BLANKET REPAIRS

Hoof Hearted Laundry Services

Laundering

Repairs individually priced

8525 Prest Rd

Chilliwack, BC, Highway 1, north side of Prest Rd exit

kellysieben@shaw.ca, 604-798-1359

Old Country Laundry ~ 27232 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove, BC, (604) 856-3731

Sandy ~ Cobble Stone Farms off 216th Avenue, left hand side of 3rd Avenue right at the end of the street.

R&E Saddlery ~ 25981-62 Avenue, Aldergrove, BC ~ 604-856-2350

American Quarter Horse Association ~ Lots of free downloads.

Clipping your horse

A horse in his natural state has all the protection he needs against the winter weather. When our horses are in training they require clipping. If you don't clip you will end up walking your horse for hours. They need some or their entire winter coat removed to enable them to work efficiently and to help us keep them clean.

Horses in the wild grow long, thick protective coats during the winter; they are better at staying warm than cooling off. Their bodies are designed to generate and store heat unlike humans who evolved from a warmer climate.

Beginning in August (in the UK) horses and ponies start to get rid of their light summer coat and grow a thick coat as their bodies prepare a defense for winter. This thick coat serves them well in cold, wet weather with sparse feed; as a free roaming herbivore and a prey animal they are constantly on the move, but we ask them to work and perform in ways that nature never expected.

In addition, we have created an unnatural winter environment by stabling our horses out of the elements, feeding well, and providing artificial warmth through stable rugs. If your horse is being asked to work regularly during the winter months, it is not a good idea to leave their thick coat. Leaving a long thick coat on a horse that is stabled or one that is often exercised can cause problems. Being too hot can actually cause a horse to lose condition, even if he is being properly fed, keeping a horse in good condition can become almost impossible.

Reasons for clipping:

For quick drying after exercise
To allow a horse to carry out fast work without too much stress
To conserve condition by avoiding heavy sweating
Makes grooming easier
Maintains a smart looking horse

In general, you should consider clipping if:

Your horse is too hot during exercise, winter or summer, and is in danger of overheating, or
Is in danger of becoming chilled while waiting to dry in cold weather

Your choice of clip depends on the type of work your horse will be doing over the winter taking into account how much he usually sweats.

The various clips include the following:

Belly and neck clip. The hair is removed from under the belly upwards between the forelegs and up the lower line of the neck and lower jaw. This is suitable for a child’s pony or an adult’s hack as it permits the horse to be turned out into a field but also allows the horse or pony to do some work without getting overly hot.

Chaser clip. The hair is removed from under the belly upwards between and around the front legs and up a line on the neck, (dependent on how high you require the line to be). This clip and variations are often seen in thoroughbred yards where the horse is unknown or is likely to kick. It is useful on a youngster, which is being clipped for the first time as it does not take as long as the others and is practical.

Trace clip. There are two types, the high and the low trace. The coat is removed from the belly and the underside of the neck. Hair is left on the head, the topside of the neck, body and legs for warmth and protection. For a low trace only a small section of hair is removed from the belly and neck. A high trace takes more hair from these areas going further up the horse's flank.

This clip allows horses and ponies to be exercised without getting too hot. It also permits them to continue being turned-out in the winter with a New Zealand rug. This clip is a useful compromise for a horse kept at grass, which cannot have a hunter clip. A trace clip was often used on carriage horses and follows the lines of harness traces on the underside of the neck and belly, but remains popular for riding horses.

Blanket clip. This type of clip would suit a horse that has regular exercise, is turned-out in the field and does various events at the weekends. The coat is removed completely from the head, neck and flanks, leaving only an area of hair that looks like an exercise sheet over the back and hindquarters and on the legs. The hair on the legs is left mainly for warmth and protection.

Hunter clip. The legs as far as the elbows and thighs, and a saddle-patch are left unclipped. The hair on the legs acts as a protection against the cold, mud, cracked heels and injury from thorns. However they can be carefully trimmed and the saddle-patch saves a sore or scalded back.

Care must be taken when clipping around the saddle-patch; if it is too far forward the horse will look short in the shoulder and long in the back. If however it is cut straight behind the shoulder and allowed to come slightly back behind the saddle it will improve the appearance of the horse. This clip is often used on a horse, which is in hard work. The hunter clip is smart looking but requires an owner with a good sense of stable management and rug routine. A horse that is clipped out should never be left un-rugged as he will quickly become cold and his work should be active.

Full clip. This is usually given to competition horses that compete in the winter months. The whole of the coat is removed, including body, legs and head. This clip looks very smart but does require careful stable management. Horses with a full clip need to be rugged up at all times and may need to wear stable bandages to help maintain warmth during the very cold months. These should be applied carefully and evenly, not too tight but must be secure to stop them coming off and becoming tangled possibly causing injury to the horse. It is also wise to have spare rugs, just in case your main rugs becomes unusable or requires repair.

The type of discipline the horse is used for is also in question. There are many types of clips you can do to suit your needs, so think carefully and honestly before shaving all your ponies hair off and then leaving it out during all weather. Even if it does look nice, a pony that is clipped, but not cared for properly, will soon deteriorate through the cold winter months.

Thank you New Rider

If you need the blades sharpened on your clippers, go to the "Groomer's Store".

Greater Vancouver Regional District Horse Directory ~ Find a coach, Find a vet, Find a farrier, Find a stallion.

My Treeless Saddles page may be of interest to trail riders and endurance riders.

How about BCTrekking? Information on trekking clinics at Kikkuli Farms, Cultus Lake area. Kikkuli Farms offers equestrian activities and educational clinics for everyone. Trekking sounds like a fun way to spend the day with your horse. Take a look and join in the fun. You won't be disappointed. Good luck and have fun with your horse. Nice break from the horse shows.

Cremation & Memorials For Your Companion ~ Tualatin, Oregon, U.S.A.

Horse Transportation ~ Lower Mainland, British Columbia, CANADA

Kevan Garecki: Local or Long Distance ~ Phone: 778-858-7301

or email info@h-4.ca

Ron Laidman: Local or Long Distance ~ Phone: 604-314-9467, Chestnut Stables.

Island Horses - This is a great horse site with good information and a list of equestrian centers on the Island. Features - Classifieds, Equine needs, Fun Stuff, Stables and Rescue Organizations.

Check out this fabulous equine travel site. This site takes you to a 6-day Wilderness Tenting Trip - Frontier Women on horseback. (Warner Guiding and Outfitting Ltd.) If you recall Brokeback Mountain was filmed in Alberta.

ST Stables is located in Burns Lake area on the side of a mountain overlooking a large lake in the heart of N orthern British Columbia. Nathan and Elly arrived at this spot in 1973 with four horses and a dog. They had ridden all the way from South America, a journey that took almost five years and covered some twenty-thousand miles. Nathan and Elly decided to make the Uncha Valley their home. They set out to train and raise horses, teaching horsemanship and riding, farming and logging with Belgian draft horses. Thousands of acres of range and forest lands are part of the ranch operation and equestrian center facility. Their book "Riding Into the Wind" is a must read.

Horse properties worldwide - Horse Property Sales and Real Estate Advertising. Sell or buy Equestrian Farm Properties. 1Horse Property provides your equestrian real estate with international exposure to horse enthusiasts, Real Estate Professionals and potential equestrian property buyers. Horse Property Internet Marketing is your most Productive and Economical Form of Advertising. View Horse Properties For Sale by State or in Canada.

Horse Riding and Road Safety Rules

There may be times when it is necessary to ride on roads and it is important that this is made as safe as possible for the sake of rider, horse and drivers. Riders should be aware of the Highway Code and avoid busy roads if possible. The rider should always remain in control of the horse keeping rein contact.

Horses are unpredictable and riding with a loose rein can easily lead to an accident if the horse is startled. I would like to add that if your horse is unpredictable and spooks at everything, you shouldn't be riding alone.

Road Position

Riders should ride on the left hand side of the road near the curb, never riding more than two abreast. Riding two abreast is particularly recommended if riding a young or inexperienced horse, with the more experienced horse being nearest to the centre of the road. However, when traffic approaches it may be necessary to ride single file with the experienced horse taking the lead. There should always be a gap of a horse's length between each horse being ridden behind another.

Hazards

Always look behind to be aware of traffic and continually look and listen for hazards. Be prepared and sit up and breathe.

Turning and Junctions

Riders should always keep to the left of the road even when approaching a junction and intending to turn right. Before turning or approaching a junction always check for traffic and signal to indicate your intention. When signaling your intention to turn left or right, ensure that your whip is in the hand that remains on the reins and hold your other arm out horizontally for 3 seconds so that surrounding traffic are able to clearly see the signal.

Always watch and listen for traffic and be prepared to stop at a junction before turning if necessary.

Additional Signals

Sometimes additional signals may be required, particularly if the rider is experiencing a problem with a horse. Holding out the right arm and slowly waving it up and down indicates to an approaching driver to slow down, whilst holding the arm out with fingers pointing up showing the palm of the hand to the car driver indicates that the rider requires the driver to stop. If the problem with your horse persists, get off your horse and lead him. If you fight with him you will lose.

Passing Hazards

If approaching a hazard such as a parked car which requires the horse to be moved towards the centre of the road in order to pass always check ahead and behind for approaching traffic preparing to stop and wait if necessary before passing. Always signal your intention to move towards the centre of the road to pass the hazard.

If approaching a noisy or dangerous hazard always reassure your horse and if your horse seems reluctant to pass the hazard get another horse to lead. If necessary avoid the hazard by taking a detour.

Safety Wear

Riders should always wear a hard hat conforming to the current standards. It may also be advisable to wear a body protector, and a fluorescent vest particularly if riding a young or inexperienced horse.

Dressage Tests and Information

Canadian Dressage Owners and Riders Association ~ (CADORA)

Natural Horsemanship Stories

Cloud 9 Horse Care

Horse Veterinarians of British Columbia | House and Horse Sitting Services | John Lyons Training Articles|