| The fact is that most of us horse lovers don't | | | | highlyirresponsible, i.e. leaving heavy weight rugs on |
| groom our horsesproperly. This could be due to | | | | in wintertemperatures that are still in the mid |
| lots of things - time,motivation, circumstances etc. | | | | twenties! |
| What we need to realise is thattime with our | | | | Horses are mammals, and all mammals to remain |
| horse is bonding time. Remember that in the | | | | healthy must beable to maintain their body |
| wild,horses groom each other and that's the basis | | | | temperature within a narrow rangeto avoid |
| for theirrelationships with each other. If we don't | | | | metabolic problems. Certainly they can feel the |
| take the trouble togroom our horses properly, | | | | coldlike us; however they compensate for this by |
| then we can't expect to forge thebonds we want | | | | growing a coat inwinter and then fluffing it if |
| between us and if this doesn't happen then | | | | necessary, so trapping air tocreate extra warmth. |
| wecan't expect the partnership benefits we look | | | | But horses can also get very hot! |
| for either. If wetake the time, if we have the | | | | Horses, like us humans sweat to keep |
| patience, if we use the righttechniques AND the | | | | themselves cool. However,the evaporative cooling |
| right products, then we'll forge a bond oftrust | | | | effects of sweating won't workeffectively if a |
| between us and our horses that will last forever. | | | | horse has a rug on. Overheating can lead toissues |
| Domesticated horses rely on humans to provide | | | | such as Heat Stress if your horse or horses |
| the opportunityfor skin care, unlike the wild horse | | | | cannot loseenough body heat due to impeding |
| where they have theopportunity to groom each | | | | rugs. This in turn can lead tohealth problems such |
| other! Grooming should beincorporated into the | | | | as dehydration, loss of electrolytes, lackof Vitamin |
| daily routine of owning and managing yourhorse to | | | | D and possibly even to an inability to sweat! |
| maintain its health and happiness. This | | | | Therefore, if you feel hot so too will your horse! |
| practiceincreases the circulation to the skin, | | | | Do not try and substitute grooming for rugging |
| releasing necessary oilsthat promote a vibrant and | | | | and always takea practical and sensible approach |
| lustrous coat. Daily grooming allowsthe coat to be | | | | to rugging! Good feed andhard work along with |
| shed gradually, easing the burden of trying | | | | this sensible approach to rugging willassist you and |
| toremove long hair and excess dead skin. A horse | | | | your horse maintain a healthy coat throughoutthe |
| that is workedregularly should be thoroughly and | | | | year. Remember, rugging is no substitute for |
| properly groomed at alltimes. | | | | adequate foodin keeping your paddocked horse in |
| Grooming not only allows us to give our horses a | | | | top condition in winter, orin giving horses in work |
| shiny, short,healthy coat, it also gives us the | | | | greater performance. |
| opportunity to go over ourbeautiful animals from | | | | Rugs & Rug Types - A good horse rug |
| head to toe, to notice any abnormalitiessuch as | | | | should fit properly and besuitably lined on the |
| cuts, wounds, irritations, fevers that your horse | | | | shoulders to avoid rubbing. There is anarray of |
| mayhave developed. The H-10 product range for | | | | rugs ranging from heavy canvas to ultra |
| first aid, H-10 | | | | lightweightcotton or satin fly sheets. A standard |
| Ointment and Spray is perfect to treat these | | | | canvas paddock rug iswaterproof and lined. Lighter |
| problems. | | | | fabrics can be used for paddocksand can be |
| Stages Of Grooming part 3 | | | | bought as a rip stop product. Quilted and fibrefilled |
| Rugging & Rugs. | | | | rugs are also available and price will always |
| Rugging - Horses should be rugged according to | | | | reflectquality! Tail and neck pieces on some rugs |
| theirenvironment, season, level of work, feeding | | | | are added forprotection and warmth. Wool or |
| patterns andwhether they are stabled or kept in | | | | wool/synthetic mixtures are usedfor stable rugs |
| a paddock. Ruggingpractices must be taken into | | | | or blankets. |
| account when you are caring forthe health and | | | | Hoods also come in a variety of materials for |
| happiness of your horse. | | | | both paddock useand stable use. They should also |
| Poor rugging practices create a source of | | | | be used sensibly and fittedaccordingly to the |
| discomfort for yourhorse and can often be cruel. | | | | horse's size, and should be secured properlyto the |
| An owner may not see it asintentional act, | | | | rug. |
| however keeping your horse rugged all thetime, | | | | This is part 3 of the course and we hope that |
| irrespective of temperature changes can be | | | | you've enjoyedit. |