Posts Tagged ‘equine care’

Spring is in full swing and with it comes my least favorite insect : TICKS. It’s right up there with horse flies. It’s important for our horse’s health that we check for them regularly and remove them speedily. 

Checking the base of the tail for ticks

Yesterday while brushing my horse’s tail I realized what a great tick removing tool is De-Stress – our Intensive Treatment for mane and tail. I always rub it in the base of the tail to moisturize the skin and encourage new healthy hair growth. After applying liberally and letting it soak in for several minutes I picked through his tail finding two ticks that let go. It can be often hard to find all the ticks on your horse’s thick tail dock or the base of the mane. When you apply De-Stress Intensive Treatment for mane & tail you’re not only making your horse’s tail go from dry and brittle to soft, silky and luminous; you’ll also get rid of those god damn crawling things from his tail. The fine oils and essential oil of Tea Tree suffocate the tick and the tick let’s go.I’m not a big fan of pulling out ticks with tweezers. I’m really afraid to leave the head behind inviting infection and this is a perfect way to ensure they let go head and all.

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian

Does your horse suffer from dry, cracked feet? Healthy hoof  is covered with a natural coating that prevents escape of moisture from the hoof.  When it is compromised, your horse’s feet suffer. Dry, brittle hoofs are caused by dry, hot and sandy environmental conditions, poor diet stripped of nutrients and previous hoof desease such as laminitis. If your’ horse’s Mom & Dad had dry, brittle feet your horse will likely end up with same. Genetics.  

healthy hoofs, happy horse

Dry, brittle hooves can quickly deteriorate and can split or deeper cracks develop. The frog can become dry and hard as well, and contract, along with the heel. The frog functions as a cushion, which becomes impossible when it is dry.  It can  be painful and result in lameness. When deep cracks develop, foreign material that lodges in the hoof cracks can cause infection, thrush etc.

Dry, brittle feet can be managed or avoided. Check out the tips below:

Moist area in the paddock (often around water troughs), where the horse will stand long enough for moisture to go into the hooves. But don’t think wet, muddy paddock will do your horse any good. These are perfect conditions in which thrush thrive.

Nutritional Boost. Add some biotin and methionine supplements to your horse’s diet.

Proper & regular hoof trimming. 

Hoof  treatments/ dressings to moisturize the hoof. Try our 100% Natural Therapeutic Hoof Serum Hoof  Therapy. It is made with Organic Hemp, Wheat Germ, Apricot Kernel and Olive Oil which rich in the essential fatty acids vital for healthy hoof growth. Hoof Therapy moisturizes dry, cracked hoofs, softens hardened frogs, treats contracted heels and protects against the elements. It also contains Tea Tree Oil, Burdock Leaf Extract and Lavender, which are known for their antibacterials properties.

Let’s talk a little today about various benefits of regular grooming routine.  There are many and they reach far beyond the “looking good” part.

Health & Beauty

A good grooming session cleans & massages the skin, improves circulation, and more oxygen means a healthier horse. It also allows you to keep a closer eye on your horse and see if anything is out of the ordinary. Bad scrape on his leg, lost shoe…you get the idea. It also helps to warm & relax tight muscles. And we can’t forget the BEAUTY part!

combing through Lisa's tail after application of De-Stress Intensive Treatment

Relaxation & Bonding

Horses usually love to be groomed. Between horses, mutual grooming is a sign of affection, friendship & trust and it is a great way to bond with your horse. You’ll make your horse feel good and he’ll learn that it’s good to be around you. But don’t let him return the favor by nibbling on you. You wouldn’t enjoy it as much as his pasture buddies. When he turns his neck to you, gently push his head away to make him understand that this grooming session is just about him. No need to return the favor!

Tune into him, get to know him, learn where he’s ticklish or sensitive and let him help you find that ooh-so-sweet spot he loves rubbed so much. Soon your horse will show you what spot is itchy and where they need to be scratched. My horse lifts his hind leg when he needs my belly scratching services.

mutual grooming between horses is a sign of affection

Adjust the pressure of your touch to the horse’s sensitivity. Some horses love to be curried hard some need a much gentler approach. They’ll let you know. You just need to listen. Sympathetic grooming makes horses relax and more
willing to work and it is great “foreplay” before riding time.

Coming Soon :  more about grooming as an opportunity to train your horse & teach him patience. Stay tuned!

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian

Check out our full line of delicious, natural and green equine care & grooming products at www.ecoliciousequestrian.com

Winter & early spring can be hard on tails with all the mud and ”poop soup”. To keep your horse’s tail clean you can do two things.

• Put your horse’s tail into a commercial tail bag.
• Protect it with a braid.

For lovely locks it’s important that you bag or braid a clean tail. You can safely bathe the bottom of the tail below the tail bone even in cold weather. Make sure to use a gentle shampoo without Sodium Lauryl & Sodium Laureth Sulphate (common ingredient in majority of horse shampoos on the market that is toxic to fish and wildlife) such as Squeaky Green & Clean. Always apply a tail conditioner before bagging/ braiding to prevent breakage. Go silicone free since silicone prevents hair from breathing and without oxygen the hair cannot regenerate. Try our 100% natural De-Stress Intensive Restructuring Treatment that is readily absorbed and doesn’t suffocate your horse’s tail.

Protect your horse's tail with a braid

How to Braid:

Divide the hair into three sections, wrap each section in a commercial tail tube protector (you can also use strips of torn bedsheet or an old pair of pantyhose) then braid the sections together. Once you hit the end of the tail continue braiding  for a few inches then finish off with a knot.

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian

Check out our full line of delicious, natural and green equine care & grooming products at www.ecoliciousequestrian.com

Horse Illustrated Feb 2011

Barn Buzz Section of Horse Illustrated

Ride Green!
The EcoLicious Equestrian

Check out our full line of delicious, natural and green equine care & grooming products at www.ecoliciousequestrian.com