Winter Horse Blankets
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US $74.35
Last year, I had some trouble with our little Arab gelding. We purchased him late 2006 and brought him home from Arizona, where he had been living on the breeding farm with the brood mares and foals.
Up until then, the footing he was used to was very soft dirt with manure turned under and not too many rocks. All he had been doing so far, was hanging out with his friends and some round pen/turn out time every day. The good and lazy life!
When he came to live with us that changed over night. No, we didn't work him too hard the first few months. It was fall, soon winter and since we live at 4500 feet, it was pretty cold. But, he did go from soft dirt to decomposed granite and a pretty hard footing all around. During the winter and spring months, that wasn't too bad; except that he was a little crazy Arab who loved to 'cut' the fence, swing his but around and practically do a sliding stop every time he came to the end.
That was not so good for his hooves and they became visibly unbalanced. On top of that, we had him started under saddle and he was working 3 or 4 times a week instead of living the lazy life.
Okay, that being said, the problems began to show up the next spring. We had him shoed, since now my daughter was riding him and training him in dressage and the ground was harder than ever. Shortly after that, he started stumbling and falling flat on his face. Not a nice experience when you're on his back. It continued for a while and we decided to take him to the lameness specialist 3 hours away.
After a thorough lameness examination and x-rays, he told us he needed shoes with pads for 6 or 8 weeks, and just shoes thereafter. According to him every horse that is ridden twice a week or more, needs shoes and we should have shoed him a lot earlier. He needed hock injections as well; at age 7!
Upon coming home, one of my friends told me about natural hoof care, bare foot trimming and thrush. After spending $800 to the 'expert' I was not ready to listen. I knew she was right. Everything she told me and showed me made sense and seemed logical.
Here are the 7 reasons you should not shoe your horse:
1. Frog pressure - The frog needs to be healthy, and compressed with every step. The digital cushion pumps the blood and helps a healthy blood circulation, resulting in a healthy frog - shoes prevent this from happening.
2. Flexion - a hoof needs to be able to flex and retract with every step - a metal horse shoe prevents this from happening.
3. Shock absorption - as the hoof flexes and retracts the shock of the step is absorbed. This protects the joints - again metal shoes prevent this from happening.
4. Horses should not walk on their hoof walls; that is like having long fingernails and walking on them. Just pull your nail away from your finger; that is basically the same. Sure, the first week or so after new shoes, this doesn't happen, but we usually only have the farrier come out every 6-8 weeks. This puts extreme, unnecessary pressure on the lamina.
5. The bars are part of the hoof wall and should be treated as such. I know this is not a good point for bare foot trimming, but traditionally farriers allow the bars to fold over and that creates pressure.
6. Contraction of the hoof occurs when the frog is not allowed to have ground contact when the hoof is set down. This is typically the case in shoed horses since the shoe prevents this.
7. A 'Sinker' is created when the hoof wall is forced to carry the complete weight of the horse. If the frog and the sole had been allowed to carry the weight the way they are supposed to, it would not have happened. Luckily this is reversible.
I could give you many more reasons. We are starting to understand, that the main reason for the problems our horse has is the abrupt chance of footing and work load. Should we have shoed him earlier? Maybe, but maybe we could have prevented the problems with riding boots too.
Each horse is an individual, and each horse's circumstances are different. One can easily learn to do barefoot trimming by attending a weekend seminar and practice. It is something a horseman should at least look into.
Now go ride a (sound) horse.
And now I would like to give you our Free eBook: "What to Do In Time of Emergency - A Guide & Workbook for Families with Horses".
All I ask is that you answer a simple question to help us with our next interview and eBook. Just go here http://www.PerformingHorse.com
You will get instructions of how to download your copy and will receive "Tips & TidBits from our Barn" our newsletter.
From Monique Myers @ http://www.performinghorse.com/AboutMe.html
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Late-Winter Snow Blankets a Tulip $39.99 Mark Thiessen Late-Winter Snow Blankets a Tulip - Photographic Print |
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Blankets (Hardcover) $50.24 A brand-new, hardcover edition, re-sized and with a new cover! Wrapped in the landscape of a blustery Wisconsin winter, Blankets explores the sibling rivalry of two brothers growing up in the isolated country, and the budding romance of two coming-of-age lovers. Blankets is a tale of security and discovery, of playfulness and tragedy, of a fall from grace and the origins of faith. |
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Perri's Horse Blanket Leg Straps $12.95 Perri's Replacement leg straps are great for securing your horse's winter blankets. These perfect straps are adjustable and elastic. |
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Horse Blankets Tie by Alynn Novelty - Yellow Silk $44.95 Great style and quality are two characteristics that come to mind when someone mentions Alynn Neckwear. Why not treat yourself or any horse lover to the Horse Blankets men's necktie? With construction of fine silk threads, this men's tie features horses wearing many different blankets to keep them warm! Against a sunny yellow background, the blankets pop with color. Exclusively from the Alynn equestrian collection. |
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Horse Blankets Tie by Alynn Novelty - Red Silk $44.95 Great style and quality are two characteristics that come to mind when someone mentions Alynn Neckwear. Why not treat yourself or any horse lover to the Horse Blankets men's necktie? With construction of fine silk threads, this men's tie features horses wearing many different blankets to keep them warm! Against a bright red background, the blankets pop with color. Exclusively from the Alynn equestrian collection. |
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White Horse with Colorful Ribbons and Pack Blankets, in Lo Monthang, Mustang $34.99 Stephen Sharnoff White Horse with Colorful Ribbons and Pack Blankets, in Lo Monthang, Mustang - Photographic Print |
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Snow Blankets the Mall and the Capitol Building Amid Winter Activity $39.99 Stephen St. John Snow Blankets the Mall and the Capitol Building Amid Winter Activity - Photographic Print |
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Horse Chestnut in Winter, UK $24.99 Mike England Horse Chestnut in Winter, UK - Photographic Print |
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Amish Horse and Buggy in Winter $29.99 Darlene Navor Amish Horse and Buggy in Winter - Photographic Print |
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Horse and Groom in Winter $39.99 Zhao Meng-Fu Horse and Groom in Winter - Giclee Print |
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Horse Race in Winter $39.99 Clarence Alphonse Gagnon Horse Race in Winter - Premium Giclee Print |
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Horse Blankets Tie by Alynn Novelty - Navy blue Silk $44.95 Great style and quality are two characteristics that come to mind when someone mentions Alynn Neckwear. Why not treat yourself or any horse lover to the Horse Blankets men's necktie? With construction of fine silk threads, this men's tie features horses wearing many different blankets to keep them warm! Against a navy blue background, the blankets pop with color. Exclusively from the Alynn equestrian collection. |
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Winter, Horse and Sleigh, Allentown, Pennsylvania $39.99 Winter, Horse and Sleigh, Allentown, Pennsylvania - Giclee Print |
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A Winter View of a Horse-Drawn Carriage $39.99 A Winter View of a Horse-Drawn Carriage - Photographic Print |
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Christmas Polar Fleece Blankets $120 These adorable handmade fleece blankets will delight any child. Rudolph and Frosty will make perfect Winter gifts. MUST ORDER BEFORE TUE DEC 3 for delivery by Christmas. Available in large 4 x 5 or small 2 1/2 x 3. |
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Perris Horse Blanket Leg Straps $11.01 Perris Replacement leg straps are great for securing your horses winter blankets. These perfect straps are adjustable and elastic. |
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Woman Steers Horse and Carriage in Winter $24.99 George Marks Woman Steers Horse and Carriage in Winter - Photographic Print |
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Horse Grooming Brush Nifty 7.5 X 3.5 $5.03 Stiff Synthetic Bristles 7 1/2 X 3 1/2 Wood Block With Strap This Un-Assuming Tool Is Perfect For Removing That Caked On Muck From Winter Coats, Blankets, and Hooves Also Will Scrub Dirty Legs When Combined With A Bucket Of Warm Soapy Water. Search_Phrases: Brushes,Combs,Horse,Equine,Animal,Horse Brush,Equine Products,Horse Products,Imported Horse &Supply,Horse Grooming Brush Nifty 7.5 X 3.5 |
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Blankets $95.95 MetroRacing Blankets Warm up with MetroRacing's motorcycle blankets. Get cozy with a 100% acrylic knitted blanket that has your favorite bike manufacturer on it. Full size 60" x 60" to cover you Made in the U.S.A. Available in Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Bultaco |
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Rare Winter Snowfall in Lost Horse Valley $24.99 Richard Cummins Rare Winter Snowfall in Lost Horse Valley - Photographic Print |
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Close View of a Horse Named King in Winter $39.99 Bill Curtsinger Close View of a Horse Named "King" in Winter - Photographic Print |
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Mountain Horse Ladies Stella Polaris Winter Boot $203.95 The Mountain Horse Ladies Stella Polaris Winter Rider Boot is the newest winter riding boot from Mountain Horse that is fashionably chic as well as functional. |
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Mountain Horse Mens Active Winter Rider $175.95 The Mountain Horse Mens Active Winter Rider is a serious riding boot designed to withstand the winter cold. |
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Mountain Horse Ladies Active Winter Riding Boot $163.95 Mountain Horse Ladies Active Winter Riding Boot. The newest Mountain Horse winter boots features a super cozy and warm faux fur lining. These are quality winter boots at a reasonable price. |
