ROUTINE MANAGEMENT OF EQUINES
INCLUDING GROOMING, SADDLING &
EXERCISE
Department of Livestock Production Management
COVS, GADVASU, Ludhiana
OBJECTIVES
• To get acquainted with different routine practices like
grooming, washing, exercise etc.
•To improve the appearance of horse.
GROOMING
OBJECTIVES
• Improves health of the skin and coat.
• Decreases the chance of various health problems such as
thrush, scratches, and other skin problems.
(Thrush is a very common bacterial infection that occurs on the hoof is a
very common bacterial infection that occurs on the hoof of a horse is a
very common bacterial infection that occurs on the hoof of a horse,
specifically in the region of the frog is a very common bacterial infection
that occurs on the hoof of a horse, specifically in the region of the frog.
The bacteria occur naturally in the animal's environment — especially in
wet, muddy, or unsanitary conditions, such as an unclean stall — and
grow best with low oxygen. Horses with deep clefts, or narrow or
contracted heels are more at-risk to develop thrush.)
• Cleans the horse.
• Provides chance of health check-up: cuts, swelling, loose or
missing horseshoes, lameness, change of temperament (e.g.
GROOMING (Contd…)
• Frequency of grooming: twice daily i.e.
- Light grooming: before exercise
- Thorough grooming / strapping: after exercise
• Steps in grooming:
- Cleaning of hooves
- Brushing of body with dandy & body brush
- Brushing of head, mane & tail
- Cleaning of eyes, lips, nose & dock with damp cloth
- Wiping of body with straw and
- Finally massaging with wet hands
GROOMING (Contd…)
• Grooming Equipments: Body brush, curry comb, water
brushes, dandy brushes, main or tail combs, sweat scrapers,
sponges, rubbers, wisp, grooming rag or towel, hoof pick,
scissors etc.
• Curry comb: used to clean body brush and removing mud
stains from the body.
WASHING
• Horses are usually not washed all over. They are groomed to
keep clean.
• Steps:
- First wet the skin thoroughly
- Rub the soap against the hair as much as possible with
brush
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Rinse with cold water
- Dry the horse with wisp of straw
- Exercise for a short time
- Groom the horse
• Wash the penis and sheath of horse to remove smegma.
EXERCISE
• Exercise at least for 2 hours daily.
• Keeps horses fit by normal physiological processes and digestion.
• Vices (bad habit) may develop in the horses which are not used
for work or exercise and badly treated.
• Methods of exercise: riding, work and walking in hand.
CLIPPING
• Clipping: makes grooming efficient and less sweating.
• Clipping: done 2 times (spring & autumn) in a year.
• Horses are usually clipped all over.
• The type of clipping improves the look of horse.
CLOTHING
• Clothing: should be used in winter and during transportation.
• Single garment horse rug: generally used to cover the body
of a horse.
• Stable bandages: should be applied around limbs. It prevents
horse from injuries during transportation.
• Clothing comprises: hood, roller pad, breast piece and quarter
sheet.
• Rugs of woollen or blankets or jute balls are used in clothing
of horses.
BANDAGE
• Keep the leg warm and active circulation.
• Protects legs from injury whilst at work.
• STABLE BANDAGE (Smooth bandage): 2.15 or 2.45 m long and
applied on just below KNEE or HOCK.
• EXERCISE BANDAGE (Rough bandage): 5-6 feet long x 3-4”
wide. Applied on Cannon bone between KNEE/HOCK and
FETLOCK. This gives a support to back
tendon and prevent injury.
SADDLING
• Grooming
• Place saddle blanket well forward and then slide back
• Create an air pocket between the blanket and horse's
withers.
• Run the latigo or tie strap through the cinch ring and D-ring
(rigging ring) twice.
• Making cinch knot