Karen Everhart (PS Silver Gem) I keep my horse barefoot all the time unless I am doing something that will wear down her hooves faster than she can grow them. This allows for proper hoof function and hooves that are hard as steel. No hoof, no horse.
Pam Wrona 2nd Level Dressage Rider Of course, good vet care, quality feed and water are top on the list. If you asked Metaphor, she enjoys her work but loves the time I spend hand grazing her.
(Corey) and Karyn Feltner
One thing that I feel has made a big difference for Corey is that I tell him verbally what a wonderful horse he is, and how willing he is to try new things, and after the ride I tell him how proud I am of his effort. Maybe it is just me programming my mind, but it has made a HUGE difference in Corey's attitude toward the everyday work and starting new things.
Bekki Moore Pony Club DC & BHSAI (Cash, Bentley and Tilly) Champagne, caviar and chocolate! Ooops, you mean for the horses? I like to warm up their bits in the winter. Also I give them a good scratching in those hard to reach areas. And something I think that is overlooked but important is to keep your geldings’ sheaths cleaned to prevent infections and discomfort.
Mary Checots - (Maja, Lady, Caer and Dixie) My horses love buckeye carrot crunchers and lots of turn out.
Jocy Prochoaska (Sporter, Cimmy, Fancy and Abby) Basically we treat them more like our children then our animals. I talk to them mostly and we have conversations. And I let them be their selves. The key thing is at the end of the day... If they’ve given their best then that’s all you can ask.
Cathrine Flint Warren (USDF Bronze & Silver Medalist) Hand prepare a lunch everday of electrolytes, molasses, vitamins, supplements, alfalfa pellets and water. I mis it into amash and serve it up only after his daily stretches which require him to reach for an apple treat binding to his pip left, then right, then deep under his belly. He enjoys this little routine so much that on the few days I have been elsewhere Malando is quite upset in his stall at lunch time and barn help has been swayed into serving a less gourmet form of lunch to quiet him! | Deryn Stewart (USDF Bronze Medalist and Competitive Driver who has been long listed with USET driving with three different horses) Simple things make horses happy (content). Horses like consistency. They like to be fed at the same time every day. Studies have shown that it actually takes less feed to keep a horse if a schedule is maintained. I believe in staying as close as possible to a natural environment. Horses are herd animals, and they enjoy living with other horses. That said, we want to keep them safe. We have to choose their pasture mates carefully. To make it easier, I like to group them by temperament but also by the amount of food they need. It doesn't work very well to pair two horses when one needs minimal grain and the other twice (or more) as much. We should be consistent in discipline. If you let your horse put his dirty nose all over you when you are in your barn clothes, it's not fair to expect him to stay away when you are in your show clothes. We also need to be consistent in our riding/training. Your horse must trust your hands. From the beginning of his training, you should be promising him that it is safe to accept contact. One moment of temper will break that promise. Horses like to please you. It is important to let them know when they do. I use sugar cubes. Cookies can cause choke. When I give sugar, I usually croon "good boy (or girl)." That way, when I am riding and unable to physically reward them, they associate "good boy" with the pleasant experience of receiving a treat. Sort of like clicker training.
Lisa Sutherland (Bronze Medalist) There comes the day when I go to get my horse from the stable and Red turns his big, chestnut butt to me and flicks his tail to say, "not today, sorry, I'm tired". I'm also a little sore from riding everyday and jumping everything that gets in our path, but the lure of the barn has driven me here again and I'd like to do something different, maybe a "thank you" to my teammate. I know, a spa day for the horse. I tie Red in the wash bay where he stands. He is thinking I'm going to haul the saddle out. But today, the soap suds fly and he gets the filth massaged out of his hide. After a good rinse and toweling off, his mane and tail are trimmed and a sugar lump added to soften the loss of his facial whiskers. All dried and groomed, the hooves get the fish oil treatment. Swishing his clean and soft silky tail, his ears are pricked and ready for the final treatment.....grass! We saunter outside - clean and polished horse, wet and soggy rider - to nibble on the green delicacy and lounge around admiring a job well done. Then it's time for the partners to return to their respective stables: one for hay and treats, the other for a hot, soothing shower.
Elaine Cornell (Dressage Instructor, and Breeder) Massage and stretches before nearly every ride. (For the horses - probably should for myself too!) They also get kisses on the nose. I don’t worry about getting caught; my husband does it too! (Horses: Sodalis, Asti and Thalia) |