Care

Grooming requires physical interaction between horse and rider. It is a good opportunity to actually feel the horse, to get to know its behavior and to check for any abnormalities which may require medical attention. Last but not least, it forms the basis of a very close relationship between horse and rider.

Mane, tail and fur

A well trimmed mane and a well tended tail indicate a healthy horse as well as a caring owner. Mane, tail, and fur must be brushed regularly to prevent matting. Matted hair often leads to skin disease, especially in combination with dampness or dirt. It is also a perfect breeding ground for parasites. A shaggy mane and a matted tail should not be cut off, they just need better care.

After riding your horse tends to be sweaty. Allow some time for your horse to dry before leading it into the stable and starting the brushing.

Hooves are the horses' shoes

Hooves need special care. Clean hooves before and after riding. This way, potential hoof diseases or injuries which influence the animal's well-being and the rider's pleasure can be discovered early. Scratch out dirt and dead horn constituents from the heel towards the toe.

Your horse's teeth

Horses evolved as grazing animals and their teeth are perfectly adapted for that purpose. However, vegetarian nutrition does not result in healthy dentition. In the wild, when the teeth have been worn away by abrasive silica in grass, the horse dies. Thus, the length of the tooth crowns is an essential factor that determines a horse's lifespan. The lifetime of domestic horses can be significantly extended by the selection of feed and routine dental care including periodic examinations and regular maintenance.

Vitality

Horses are born with the urge for exercise and motion. You have the responsibility to satisfy this need frequently. Furthermore, a balanced diet (nutrition) is crucial in order to provide the body's cartilage, muscles, and tendons with a sufficient supply of nutrients and to prevent joint disease.