Taking care of your horse
The horse is first and foremost a living being that needs care just like humans. When you have a horse, it is essential to be able to take care of it properly without necessarily being an ace in equestrian medicine. Here is how you can take good care of your horse.
Putting on and removing protections
Knowing how to put on and take off horse protection is one of the first things you need to learn to do when you have a horse. Since there are several types of protection, we will talk about the most common ones in this article.
Gaiters and tendon protectors
Tendon boots and gaiters are mainly used in jumping and cross-country. Their role is to protect the horse's tendons during exercise. Rigid closed gaiters are preferred in cross-country, because they protect the entire cannon and tendons. They are placed by sliding from the knee so that they fit correctly on the limb and the straps of the fasteners must be on the external face, point towards the back of the limb.
Fetlock protectors
Fetlock boots can be single or double shell. They protect the fetlock of the hindquarters. They are mainly used in jumping and cross country. They are generally closed without tightening too much along the cannons then slid into place, the fasteners facing externally and pointing towards the rear. You will find quality fetlock boots at La Sellerie Francaise .
Bells
Open or closed, bells are mainly used on the forelegs, often for horses that forge. They therefore protect the coronet, the glomes and the perioplic fetlock.
Polo strips
The so-called "polo" bandages can be used on all limbs. They mainly protect the tendons. They are thick and should not interfere with the joints. You must start applying the bandage on the inner side of the cannon, turn downwards and cover about three-quarters of the previous turn up to the ergo. Then you must go back up until you close the velcro below the knee on the outer side of the cannon.
Transport protections
Transport guards are very high and very thick guards that are used to protect knees, cannons, hocks and fetlocks during transport. They generally close in the same way as classic gaiters. The coward can be protected by a band or a tail guard, the nape by a nape guard.
Inspect and care for limbs before and after work
The feet
The feet must be cleaned before and after work. This consists of cleaning the sole, the frog and the lateral gaps. This cleaning allows the detection of problems such as cracks and cracks but also to remove any foreign bodies likely to damage the foot. The shoeing must also be checked to see if it moves or if any nails are missing. The foot must be greased regularly to maintain the flexibility of the hoof.
The members
Before and after work, the limbs must be brushed completely to remove all traces of mud, sand and other dirt. This brushing allows you to check for any injuries or abnormal heat, in particular by running your hand over the limbs. It is possible, when the outside temperature allows, to shower the horse's limbs. You will need to be careful to dry the limbs with a cloth to avoid cracks.