Draft Horse|adoptadrafthorse.com
May
21
Filed Under (Horses) by drafthorse
~nobody~ *{JPA}* asked:
I was searching pictures tonight, and not really thinking of anything much. . . then I came across pictures of draft horse pulls (if youve never seen one just google it).
I was searching pictures tonight, and not really thinking of anything much. . . then I came across pictures of draft horse pulls (if youve never seen one just google it).
Anyway, my question is, how much power/force is put on the horse’s muscles/bones/body from the pulling? Is there an mathmatical way to figure it out?
ARIEL
May
20
Filed Under (Travel) by drafthorse
Maria Luce Cardelli asked:
One of the most cherished events that take place in Italy is the Palio. From far and wide, regionally and globally; people travel all the way to come and witness this exciting horse racing event so that by the time the whole thing is over, there are lots of talks and snapshots being exchanged all around the place. The Palio is a tourism magnet for the Italians and other Europeans who always look forward to this wonderful event. The Palio horse race is both a tourist attraction for the country and a money spinner for the tourism industry as well. Days before the actual event is held, people would have already been preparing in different ways. From those who are buying costumes for that special day to those who would be taking good advantage of the occasion to make quick returns on any goods or services they are offering. The Palio is heralded with lots of fun and fanfare with many activities to back it up. There are parades and processions all contributing to make the main event worth attending. You will come across people from diverse cultures from all around the world who all converge in Italy to be a part of the fun train.
The horse race event presents a good opportunity to make new friends as well as learn new things about the famous Italian celebration. The Palio horse race is an event whereby bare-back horse races are conducted every summer. The horse race is usually held in Piazza del Campo immediately after the procession is finished. The Palio is a fascinating sport for the players while for spectators; the horse race remains a lovely spectacle that must not be missed. Palio is a little cruel when judged by the way the sport is played. The real protagonists in the game are the horses which keep racing (and may still win too) even if in the course of the race, they mistakenly lose their jockeys or riders. For those who have never watched it, the real surprise in Palio is that the entire race only lasts for a little above 5 minutes as it goes round the edges of Piazza del Campo. In order to get acquainted with the major phases of the Palio horse race, four days are set aside for the celebration. It is equally important to know out of 17 contrade, only ten will run every time. Furthermore, their participation in the race is often decided by means of a draw.
This draw takes place not less than 20 days before each Palio race is scheduled to hold. The 7 contrade that did not run in the race of that same day, the year before, are eligible to run; the other 3 contrade are drawn from the initial 10 that had participated. The draft is the procedure by which horses are allocated to the 10 contrade who participate in the Palio horse race. The third day, in the morning before the race, the racing horses are presented one after the other by their owners, the presentation is done in the courtyard of the Municipality Town Hall, also known as the Entrone. Here, they are thoroughly examined by veterinarians who have been delegated by the municipality. Theirs is to evaluate the physical conditions and morphology of the racing horses. These horses are first put into different groups for trial purposes. They are then tested for only 3 laps around the Piazza del Campo so that they can be evaluated for their adaptability to the racing tracks. After the trial runs, the captains come together before the Mayor in order to decide which horses adapt the most.
Next, the draw is conducted on an open platform outside the Entrone or Municipality Town Hall. Afterwards, one horse is assigned a contrada. There are usually six trials which all take place at 9:00 am every morning and evening around 7:00 pm. After the Parade is over, there is a big burst of canon fire that is announced to signify the jockeys’ departure from the Entrone. Every jockey is handed a horse whip which he uses to incite his horse to further ignite a forward response. The jockey uses these strategies to block other opponents during the course of the race. Before the actual race begins, the starter opens the race with the lowering of the rope. The start is considered invalid if the cracker goes off and stops the horses. In this case, the race has to be re-started. The horses and their jockeys have to run round the tracks thrice, for a total of about a thousand meters. The first horse to finish the race is declared the winner and is thus approved by 3 winners’ judges. There is a victory dinner that is usually held for the winning horse and contrada.
DARREN
One of the most cherished events that take place in Italy is the Palio. From far and wide, regionally and globally; people travel all the way to come and witness this exciting horse racing event so that by the time the whole thing is over, there are lots of talks and snapshots being exchanged all around the place. The Palio is a tourism magnet for the Italians and other Europeans who always look forward to this wonderful event. The Palio horse race is both a tourist attraction for the country and a money spinner for the tourism industry as well. Days before the actual event is held, people would have already been preparing in different ways. From those who are buying costumes for that special day to those who would be taking good advantage of the occasion to make quick returns on any goods or services they are offering. The Palio is heralded with lots of fun and fanfare with many activities to back it up. There are parades and processions all contributing to make the main event worth attending. You will come across people from diverse cultures from all around the world who all converge in Italy to be a part of the fun train.
The horse race event presents a good opportunity to make new friends as well as learn new things about the famous Italian celebration. The Palio horse race is an event whereby bare-back horse races are conducted every summer. The horse race is usually held in Piazza del Campo immediately after the procession is finished. The Palio is a fascinating sport for the players while for spectators; the horse race remains a lovely spectacle that must not be missed. Palio is a little cruel when judged by the way the sport is played. The real protagonists in the game are the horses which keep racing (and may still win too) even if in the course of the race, they mistakenly lose their jockeys or riders. For those who have never watched it, the real surprise in Palio is that the entire race only lasts for a little above 5 minutes as it goes round the edges of Piazza del Campo. In order to get acquainted with the major phases of the Palio horse race, four days are set aside for the celebration. It is equally important to know out of 17 contrade, only ten will run every time. Furthermore, their participation in the race is often decided by means of a draw.
This draw takes place not less than 20 days before each Palio race is scheduled to hold. The 7 contrade that did not run in the race of that same day, the year before, are eligible to run; the other 3 contrade are drawn from the initial 10 that had participated. The draft is the procedure by which horses are allocated to the 10 contrade who participate in the Palio horse race. The third day, in the morning before the race, the racing horses are presented one after the other by their owners, the presentation is done in the courtyard of the Municipality Town Hall, also known as the Entrone. Here, they are thoroughly examined by veterinarians who have been delegated by the municipality. Theirs is to evaluate the physical conditions and morphology of the racing horses. These horses are first put into different groups for trial purposes. They are then tested for only 3 laps around the Piazza del Campo so that they can be evaluated for their adaptability to the racing tracks. After the trial runs, the captains come together before the Mayor in order to decide which horses adapt the most.
Next, the draw is conducted on an open platform outside the Entrone or Municipality Town Hall. Afterwards, one horse is assigned a contrada. There are usually six trials which all take place at 9:00 am every morning and evening around 7:00 pm. After the Parade is over, there is a big burst of canon fire that is announced to signify the jockeys’ departure from the Entrone. Every jockey is handed a horse whip which he uses to incite his horse to further ignite a forward response. The jockey uses these strategies to block other opponents during the course of the race. Before the actual race begins, the starter opens the race with the lowering of the rope. The start is considered invalid if the cracker goes off and stops the horses. In this case, the race has to be re-started. The horses and their jockeys have to run round the tracks thrice, for a total of about a thousand meters. The first horse to finish the race is declared the winner and is thus approved by 3 winners’ judges. There is a victory dinner that is usually held for the winning horse and contrada.
DARREN
May
14
Filed Under (Pets) by drafthorse
Daniel Millions asked:
Since the mid 18th century, historians have found references to the breed of dog known as the Dalmatian.
The breeds first established home, for which the breed was also named after was Dalmatia. It is a place in the Western Yugoslavian area which at one time was part of Austria, located on the Adriatic. However, these dogs were well-known throughout many parts of the world long before that time.
The breed was shown in various types of antique art including engravings, paintings, models, and early writings which have accounted for the presence of spotted dogs of the same size and type in wide-ranging areas including early Africa, Asia, and Europe.
As history tells us, several bands of ancient gypsies (Romanies) were accompanied by the dogs in their wanderings around the world, which explains the vast widespread and popularity of the breed.
The Dalmatian quickly became a favorite and established some of their best known claims to fame in Great Britain. They were brought there by members of the British upper classes who in those days often made tours to Europe and would often come back accompanied by some of the striking spotted dogs.
Right after they were adopted by the English aristocracy who used them to accompany their horse-drawn carriages, the charming dog soon became a feature of these processions. The dogs were taught to station themselves beneath the rear axle of the coach, and in some cases to trot underneath the pole separating the horses.
They were also taught to lead the procession, trotting along ahead of the first horse, which was an impressive sight to see!
Another type of activity with which the Dalmatian became known for, which also said to have started in Great Britain, is his very famous role of being a “firehouse dog. This was said to have started with the dogs being used as ratters, for the function of killing vermin in London’s stables and firehouses, which they did with expertise.
But these dogs loved the horses and the fire engine, so it was almost inevitable that they soon were racing ahead of them through the streets whenever the alarm was sounded. In the present days, many Dalmatians can still be seen riding on the fire trucks with their masters.
Dalmatians are still considered as the mascot and are often found in firehouses, not only in Great Britain but in the United States and other countries as well.
In addition to being a firehouse dog, Dalmatians have also worked in war times; done sentinel duty; served as shepherd’s dogs; and as draft dogs.
They have been seen in many circus shows, especially enjoying popularity with the clowns as “assistants,” their intelligence, aptitude, and showy appearance having fitted them particularly well for this activity.
ALEC
Since the mid 18th century, historians have found references to the breed of dog known as the Dalmatian.
The breeds first established home, for which the breed was also named after was Dalmatia. It is a place in the Western Yugoslavian area which at one time was part of Austria, located on the Adriatic. However, these dogs were well-known throughout many parts of the world long before that time.
The breed was shown in various types of antique art including engravings, paintings, models, and early writings which have accounted for the presence of spotted dogs of the same size and type in wide-ranging areas including early Africa, Asia, and Europe.
As history tells us, several bands of ancient gypsies (Romanies) were accompanied by the dogs in their wanderings around the world, which explains the vast widespread and popularity of the breed.
The Dalmatian quickly became a favorite and established some of their best known claims to fame in Great Britain. They were brought there by members of the British upper classes who in those days often made tours to Europe and would often come back accompanied by some of the striking spotted dogs.
Right after they were adopted by the English aristocracy who used them to accompany their horse-drawn carriages, the charming dog soon became a feature of these processions. The dogs were taught to station themselves beneath the rear axle of the coach, and in some cases to trot underneath the pole separating the horses.
They were also taught to lead the procession, trotting along ahead of the first horse, which was an impressive sight to see!
Another type of activity with which the Dalmatian became known for, which also said to have started in Great Britain, is his very famous role of being a “firehouse dog. This was said to have started with the dogs being used as ratters, for the function of killing vermin in London’s stables and firehouses, which they did with expertise.
But these dogs loved the horses and the fire engine, so it was almost inevitable that they soon were racing ahead of them through the streets whenever the alarm was sounded. In the present days, many Dalmatians can still be seen riding on the fire trucks with their masters.
Dalmatians are still considered as the mascot and are often found in firehouses, not only in Great Britain but in the United States and other countries as well.
In addition to being a firehouse dog, Dalmatians have also worked in war times; done sentinel duty; served as shepherd’s dogs; and as draft dogs.
They have been seen in many circus shows, especially enjoying popularity with the clowns as “assistants,” their intelligence, aptitude, and showy appearance having fitted them particularly well for this activity.
ALEC
May
10
Filed Under (Pets) by drafthorse
Phil Wiskell asked:
Internet fraud is prevalent everywhere and the horse industry is no exception. If you can avoid selling your horse over the internet, do so. But if the Internet is your only option or you chose to buy/sell your horse or tack on-line be aware of the following inherent obstacles.
Dubbed the Nigerian Letter Scam, it has been used in the sale of large ticket items including horses, cars, and motorcycles. The current activity noted by horse-related websites comes in different variations from foreigners in Nigeria, Africa, London, and Hong Kong seeking to buy purchase horses, frozen semen, or horse-related equipment. A third party representing a potential buyer in one of the aforementioned countries will attempt to purchase a horse using a Cashiers Check to cover the price of the horse and their shipping costs. After the horse is shipped, the third party asks you to refund the shipping charges as part of a “finders fee” arrangement. Or they may also send you a check over the amount of the purchase price and ask for a refund of the difference. Unfortunately the cashiers check is counterfeit. Many sellers don’t find this out until the horse is gone and your money has been forwarded to the scam artists.
Potential buyers/sellers watch for the following:
* The emails come from free web-based accounts written in poor English, riddled with misspellings and often too familiar and friendly in tone.
* If the party makes big promises, such as offering to pay more then the asking price without first making contact to talk about the horse, it usually a scam. Be careful of anyone who wants to send you more then your asking price.
* Beware if an individual tries to speed up the transaction beyond your comfort range. A legitimate deal isn’t going to move as fast as your money. Think things through and don’t let yourself feel pressured.
* If they ask for bank information, don’t give out financial information including personal account numbers without first establishing a comfort level with the buyer or seller. The European e-mails do try to establish a comfort level, but it’s a bit false. If you suspect anything dishonest don’t give out any information.
Take the following precautions:
Never complete a transaction without some sort of contract. Retain a lawyer to draft a contract and represent you, but if you can’t afford one, the terms of the deal should be written and signed in English by both parties. A buyer or seller that resists or is hesitant is usually a strong sign of a potential problem. To avoid further problems, it’s best to use a law office that specializes in equine business issues, such as Equine Legal Solutions in San Jose, California.
If you’re buying or selling a horse, make sure you get a pre-purchase exam on the horse considered for purchase by the buyer’s Veterinarian of choice. One customer who ships horses outside the USA came up with a solution. She requested that all horses be paid for in cash or by bank transfer - no checks, credit cards, money orders or cashiers checks. If they want to pay using anything other then cash, the horse stays at her place at their expense. The horse wasn’t allowed to leave her property until the bank confirms all the funds are there. It worked. She never heard back from potential scammers.
And finally, keep in mind the internet is a service provider of online classified advertising, not a dealer, agent or broker. They are not involved in the actual transaction between buyers and sellers and accept no liability for any type of dispute or fraud. Horse Clicks, for example, does its best to educate both buyer and seller about fraudulent activity. They intercept, report and record all contacts that seem suspicious and protect your email address from public display. All internet sites may not take the same precautions, so contact other sites if you think there’s an issue.
If you think the potential party is not legitimate or if you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center or your local FBI office.
BENNY
Internet fraud is prevalent everywhere and the horse industry is no exception. If you can avoid selling your horse over the internet, do so. But if the Internet is your only option or you chose to buy/sell your horse or tack on-line be aware of the following inherent obstacles.
Dubbed the Nigerian Letter Scam, it has been used in the sale of large ticket items including horses, cars, and motorcycles. The current activity noted by horse-related websites comes in different variations from foreigners in Nigeria, Africa, London, and Hong Kong seeking to buy purchase horses, frozen semen, or horse-related equipment. A third party representing a potential buyer in one of the aforementioned countries will attempt to purchase a horse using a Cashiers Check to cover the price of the horse and their shipping costs. After the horse is shipped, the third party asks you to refund the shipping charges as part of a “finders fee” arrangement. Or they may also send you a check over the amount of the purchase price and ask for a refund of the difference. Unfortunately the cashiers check is counterfeit. Many sellers don’t find this out until the horse is gone and your money has been forwarded to the scam artists.
Potential buyers/sellers watch for the following:
* The emails come from free web-based accounts written in poor English, riddled with misspellings and often too familiar and friendly in tone.
* If the party makes big promises, such as offering to pay more then the asking price without first making contact to talk about the horse, it usually a scam. Be careful of anyone who wants to send you more then your asking price.
* Beware if an individual tries to speed up the transaction beyond your comfort range. A legitimate deal isn’t going to move as fast as your money. Think things through and don’t let yourself feel pressured.
* If they ask for bank information, don’t give out financial information including personal account numbers without first establishing a comfort level with the buyer or seller. The European e-mails do try to establish a comfort level, but it’s a bit false. If you suspect anything dishonest don’t give out any information.
Take the following precautions:
Never complete a transaction without some sort of contract. Retain a lawyer to draft a contract and represent you, but if you can’t afford one, the terms of the deal should be written and signed in English by both parties. A buyer or seller that resists or is hesitant is usually a strong sign of a potential problem. To avoid further problems, it’s best to use a law office that specializes in equine business issues, such as Equine Legal Solutions in San Jose, California.
If you’re buying or selling a horse, make sure you get a pre-purchase exam on the horse considered for purchase by the buyer’s Veterinarian of choice. One customer who ships horses outside the USA came up with a solution. She requested that all horses be paid for in cash or by bank transfer - no checks, credit cards, money orders or cashiers checks. If they want to pay using anything other then cash, the horse stays at her place at their expense. The horse wasn’t allowed to leave her property until the bank confirms all the funds are there. It worked. She never heard back from potential scammers.
And finally, keep in mind the internet is a service provider of online classified advertising, not a dealer, agent or broker. They are not involved in the actual transaction between buyers and sellers and accept no liability for any type of dispute or fraud. Horse Clicks, for example, does its best to educate both buyer and seller about fraudulent activity. They intercept, report and record all contacts that seem suspicious and protect your email address from public display. All internet sites may not take the same precautions, so contact other sites if you think there’s an issue.
If you think the potential party is not legitimate or if you suspect you’ve been scammed, contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center or your local FBI office.
BENNY
May
07
Filed Under (Other - Pets) by drafthorse
Tuggamamma asked:
do you think $750.00 is too much for a registered Belgium mare that is almost 5? She is broke to drive both single and double and is very gentle and loving.
do you think $750.00 is too much for a registered Belgium mare that is almost 5? She is broke to drive both single and double and is very gentle and loving.
She does need her feet trimmed though. Where could we go to get her sold? We put 500 in her to train her and would like to at least get 750.
CLIFFORD
May
03
Filed Under (Pets) by drafthorse
Nancy Griffiths asked:
Winter Horse Care
For most of us Winter and Summer mean totally different routines with our horses.
The change from 24 hour turnout to a mix of stabling and turnout can be as disruptive to you horse as it is to you, so keeping it interesting and workable for both is important.
Find a routine that is manageable for you; your horse will adapt, so don’t set yourself goals you cannot achieve.
Enlist the help of other riders, friends and family – dark nights and early mornings can get pretty tiring by the end of Winter and it’s nice to be able to take turns to have a night off or a lie in.
Try to do as much as possible when you have spare time, as leaving things until the last minute does not allow leeway for the unexpected.
I always make my feeds up in the morning, then if I get held up, someone can put a feed in for me, rather than end up with an agitated horse wondering where her tea is.
Fresh air and/or good ventilation are major requirements for horses. They can tolerate considerable cold if they can move around and are dry. Avoid drafts, but allow sufficient air exchange to move stale air, humidity, and ammonia out of the horse’s environment.
Keeping the stable clean will keep ammonia levels low and there are some very good products available that destroy ammonia without harming your horse, even if ingested. I use a fresh smelling product that can be sprinkled onto the rubber matting or mixed in with the bedding. It not only reduced the bacteria but smells nice too.
Try to turn your horse out as much as possible. The lucky ones will have an area for adequate exercise well drained or with a hard standing area and access to a shelter. Most of us however will probably make do with a muddy paddock, but that can be better than standing in for hours. Remember to still have your horses hooves checked regularly, and pick out mud and stones when they come in as they will be uncomfortable and potentially cause damage to your rubber matting if you have it.
You may need to clip your horse according to how much exercise it is getting but then you will need to rug up to compensate. My horse usually has a full clip at the end of Autumn then a blanket re-clip later in Winter, as she grows a very heavy coat and is a hot horse when exercising.
Don’t neglect your grooming just because your horse is rugged up. It’s a good idea to take rugs off daily and check for any rubs or damage. Dry mud will brush off easily with a stiff brush and I find that applying a bit of coat shire mud repellent lotion really helps. I find it very soothing to have a chat with my horse whilst grooming her – she’s a great listener and it makes up for the reduced time we spend riding.
The change of diet from grass to hay/haylage can cause colic or digestive upsets, so try to make the change gradually. As Autumn sets in the grass will probably be very sparse anyway so you could start to put out some hay/haylage in the field. Keep an eye on your horse’s condition through the Winter and adjust the quantity or type of feed, depending on whether your need to increase or decrease your horse’s weight. Better to keep it under control, than to have to suddenly make drastic adjustments. Be particularly careful if you have a horse that could be potentially laminitic.
Ensure that you horse has access to drinking water, particularly when temperatures drop and external water supplies may freeze. I have read that warming water to at least 60 degrees F will increase water consumption by 40 percent to 100 percent. Dehydration (lack of water) is apparently the chief cause of impaction colic in horses.
Try to maintain a programme of exercise for your horse that fits in with your lifestyle. You may be restricted to road work, but a good brisk walk will do wonders for your horse’s fitness, and avoids risking damage from too much trotting on hard ground. Do plenty of flexion exercises at the walk and trot using leg yield and shoulder in if you can find a safe quiet lane. If you have access to a schooling area, use the time to do some groundwork exercises, lunging, free schooling or long reining.
Remember to warm your horse up slowly and thoroughly before asking for serious work. You may need to use an exercise sheet to keep the hind-quarters warm, and they have the added benefit of providing protection from the rain and if you use one of the fluorescent ones, aid visibility to other road users.
Hot horses need to be cooled down thoroughly then brushed to stand the hair up again before turning them back out. Fluffy hair traps air and keeps the horse warm; hair plastered down flat or wet lets body heat escape.
Adapting your routine to take into account weather changes, work schedule, turnout schedule, and feeding programs mean that there is no reason not to enjoy your horse as much in Winter as in Summer.
Nancy Griffiths
2007
BENITO
Winter Horse Care
For most of us Winter and Summer mean totally different routines with our horses.
The change from 24 hour turnout to a mix of stabling and turnout can be as disruptive to you horse as it is to you, so keeping it interesting and workable for both is important.
Find a routine that is manageable for you; your horse will adapt, so don’t set yourself goals you cannot achieve.
Enlist the help of other riders, friends and family – dark nights and early mornings can get pretty tiring by the end of Winter and it’s nice to be able to take turns to have a night off or a lie in.
Try to do as much as possible when you have spare time, as leaving things until the last minute does not allow leeway for the unexpected.
I always make my feeds up in the morning, then if I get held up, someone can put a feed in for me, rather than end up with an agitated horse wondering where her tea is.
Fresh air and/or good ventilation are major requirements for horses. They can tolerate considerable cold if they can move around and are dry. Avoid drafts, but allow sufficient air exchange to move stale air, humidity, and ammonia out of the horse’s environment.
Keeping the stable clean will keep ammonia levels low and there are some very good products available that destroy ammonia without harming your horse, even if ingested. I use a fresh smelling product that can be sprinkled onto the rubber matting or mixed in with the bedding. It not only reduced the bacteria but smells nice too.
Try to turn your horse out as much as possible. The lucky ones will have an area for adequate exercise well drained or with a hard standing area and access to a shelter. Most of us however will probably make do with a muddy paddock, but that can be better than standing in for hours. Remember to still have your horses hooves checked regularly, and pick out mud and stones when they come in as they will be uncomfortable and potentially cause damage to your rubber matting if you have it.
You may need to clip your horse according to how much exercise it is getting but then you will need to rug up to compensate. My horse usually has a full clip at the end of Autumn then a blanket re-clip later in Winter, as she grows a very heavy coat and is a hot horse when exercising.
Don’t neglect your grooming just because your horse is rugged up. It’s a good idea to take rugs off daily and check for any rubs or damage. Dry mud will brush off easily with a stiff brush and I find that applying a bit of coat shire mud repellent lotion really helps. I find it very soothing to have a chat with my horse whilst grooming her – she’s a great listener and it makes up for the reduced time we spend riding.
The change of diet from grass to hay/haylage can cause colic or digestive upsets, so try to make the change gradually. As Autumn sets in the grass will probably be very sparse anyway so you could start to put out some hay/haylage in the field. Keep an eye on your horse’s condition through the Winter and adjust the quantity or type of feed, depending on whether your need to increase or decrease your horse’s weight. Better to keep it under control, than to have to suddenly make drastic adjustments. Be particularly careful if you have a horse that could be potentially laminitic.
Ensure that you horse has access to drinking water, particularly when temperatures drop and external water supplies may freeze. I have read that warming water to at least 60 degrees F will increase water consumption by 40 percent to 100 percent. Dehydration (lack of water) is apparently the chief cause of impaction colic in horses.
Try to maintain a programme of exercise for your horse that fits in with your lifestyle. You may be restricted to road work, but a good brisk walk will do wonders for your horse’s fitness, and avoids risking damage from too much trotting on hard ground. Do plenty of flexion exercises at the walk and trot using leg yield and shoulder in if you can find a safe quiet lane. If you have access to a schooling area, use the time to do some groundwork exercises, lunging, free schooling or long reining.
Remember to warm your horse up slowly and thoroughly before asking for serious work. You may need to use an exercise sheet to keep the hind-quarters warm, and they have the added benefit of providing protection from the rain and if you use one of the fluorescent ones, aid visibility to other road users.
Hot horses need to be cooled down thoroughly then brushed to stand the hair up again before turning them back out. Fluffy hair traps air and keeps the horse warm; hair plastered down flat or wet lets body heat escape.
Adapting your routine to take into account weather changes, work schedule, turnout schedule, and feeding programs mean that there is no reason not to enjoy your horse as much in Winter as in Summer.
Nancy Griffiths
2007
BENITO
