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Post by fleabitten on May 7, 2011 18:17:46 GMT
Sorry, probably silly questions  but here goes Does anyone else find it hard to hold the back feet up when picking them out? I find that it hurts my back and i really struggle to hold the hoof long enough to pick it out completely. I was very unsafe with my own ponies as i hunkered down and rested the hoof on my knee and picked it out lol! I know that you could just put it down and pick it up again but perhaps this wouldnt look right in the BHS exam. What do you all do? Also, how long should it take you to clean a set of tack - i.e wash it with a damp sponge and then soap it. And should you clean the underside where the saddle cloth is? What brush should you use on a grass kept horses head? Thanks! |
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haffyfan
Administrator 
is pressing random buttons...sorry guys
Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on May 7, 2011 20:45:36 GMT
lol you teach them to hold their weight so you don't have to!
I know it's easier said than done (and it really helps when you have them from a baby) but they really should hold it up for you and not the other way around...Harry still leans a bit at times but nothing on the scale you are describing if your back hurts (unless you have a medical reason for this) . Making sure they are well balanced and square before asking for the leg should help a little as they will obviously be able to balance better...
No idea a bout tack, mine goes in washer...hate tack cleaning like housework it's a bit of a waste of time as it only gets mucky again in seconds...grrr!
Would the correct answer be a body or face brush (and fingers)? I use the dandy brush (as it's all I ever use bar a curry comb ) and if it's really muddy will gently use plastic/rubber currycomb/fingers on the cheek/maybe around ears (maybe not on one I didn't know though!)
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Post by fleabitten on May 7, 2011 21:02:03 GMT
Im probably not doing it right, the lifting part - i just was thinking about it today when i was picking out a 16.3hh hunter type. No, i dont have a medical reason, its probably to do with lifting technique maybe lol? They all seem to lift it ok but once you have a hold of it then they just let it relax. Maybe im making it more difficult for myself,... or just complaining unnecessarily lol! I don't think a soft brush is correct for a grass kept horse as it takes the oils out of the coat. And a dandy brush is too harsh i think. I usually used my 'jelly scrubber' on the head (soft rubber curry type thing). Would a rubber curry comb be ok to use then? Thanks for the advice haffy  |
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Post by dannyboy on May 8, 2011 21:19:44 GMT
Sorry can't really help you much here Flea. Murphy tends to hold his own weight well. All we have to do is tap him on the leg and say up . Hubby nearly always does it for me  We are struggling with getting Casper to even stand still long enough at the moment. |
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Post by fleabitten on May 8, 2011 21:29:00 GMT
Wow, Murphy is a good un DB ;D I havent come across that many horses that hold their own legs up for you lol!
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Post by scattymare on May 11, 2011 11:29:13 GMT
Eddie will lift up all four feet for you before you get to them - you do have to hold them once up though. Re you lifting them high and back enough - I find the further her leg is stretched out (while still being comfortable for her obviously) the easier it is and the less she will lean.
Re the face I was always tought that you shouldn't use anything harder than a body brush on the face or mane - though I frequently use a dandy brush or plastic curry comb gently.
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Post by spotti on May 12, 2011 17:12:41 GMT
^^^ Faith's the same as Eddie. You only have to say "Can I do your feet?" and she will pick them up in turn and holds them there for you. I only hold on if I need to dig out a stone or something. And echo Scatty re:stretching the leg out - do what farriers do - lift and stretch the leg out and the horse will be able to hold it higher than if just lifted straight up.
Again, echo Scatty, but we don't use anything harder than a soft body brush on the mane tail. If it's really tangled then we spray with detangler or have a bath...using conditioner if necessary!
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Post by fleabitten on May 12, 2011 18:53:54 GMT
Thanks guys, the holding the leg out to the back sometimes works and is easier but sometimes they will pull back as its too far for them. But I will give it a go anyway, worth a try!
I was thinking for grass kept horses maybe the rule is just to use the rubber curry (not as harsh/rough/poky as plastic curry or dandy) gently if its muddy or sweaty and otherwise just leave the face alone except for sponging it and this way it would keep the oils in?
I used to use whatever brush i found necessary on any part of the body lol!! Gently on the head etc of course.
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Post by hazelin on May 12, 2011 21:28:26 GMT
Ive got one of those cactus cloth mitt things that I use on her face. The cactus cloth side gets the mud off and she loves a good scratch behind the ears with it. The other side is kind of synthetic fur and can be used for a final wipe over. It was only about £2.50 in the tack shop
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but here goes 
