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Horse Home Remedies You Can Use
Anyone involved with horses knows that riding is a very small
part of the larger horse experience. Groom, maid, waiter,
servant, and nurse are among the hats we wear while caring
for a horse. The sheer amount of “stuff” one must collect
in order to care for horses is astounding, from shampoos and
conditioners, hoof paints, leather cleaners, grooming supplies,
supplements, bottles, and tack- there is no end to the amount
of paraphernalia that goes along with one horse!
Although your local tack store may be a valuable source for
a variety of the things you and your horse need, sometimes
a little ingenuity can save you time, money and solve some
of the more common horse-related problems. Next time you need
to tend to your horse, try one of these time-tested home-remedies
instead of reaching for that expensive bottle- you might just
find these work better!
1. Vinegar- Tired of that yellow, urine soaked tail
on your pretty white horse? With stubborn stains, all the
expensive bluing shampoo in the world might not get out that
yellow (but it may give it a nice purple hue!). To help whiten
tails, soak the tail in plain, white vinegar for 5 minutes,
before washing and conditioning normally. Those bubbles you
see are cutting through the urine and stains, getting down
to the nice white root. Vinegar is safe for the hair, and
actually can contribute to a shinier, healthier tail! Used
weekly, vinegar can help to prevent urine from becoming too
ingrained on the tail.
In horses prone to developing enteroliths (stones) in their
intestines, a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in the food
once to twice a day can help to reduce the pH level in the
gut, and inhibit stone formation. Most horses tolerate the
taste of vinegar in their food very well.
Finally, vinegar is a naturally insect repellant. Adding
vinegar to the food, or even diluted and sprayed directly
on the horse, can act as an excellent, chemical free fly repellant.
2. WD-40- The amazing rust-buster has a plethora of
barn-related uses- but here's one that you have to try to
believe! Sprayed into the tail or mane, WD-40 is a fantastic
detangler, and works even better (and is much cheaper) than
most commercially available products. A small amount sprayed
directly into matted areas can make brushing through the tangles
a breeze. Take care using WD-40 (or any detangler, for that
matter) right before riding- if you get it on your hands,
your may find your reins slipping out of your hands!
3. Clorox Bleach- Thrush is one of the most persistent
hoof related problems known to horse owners. Many products
exist on the market to combat thrush, most of them quite pricey!
Old-time horsemen and farriers will tell a different tale
when recommending a good thrush product- bleach! Poured into
a spray bottle, spraying a thin coat of bleach to a clean,
picked hoof once daily for several days will help to quickly
eradicate thrush. Weekly re-application will help to prevent
further problems. Take care to avoid getting the bleach on
you or your horses skin, as it will sting and burn.
4. Sugar- There are a variety of salves, creams and
sprays that are available to combat wounds, and every person
has their own favorite product. For stubborn, infected wounds,
plain white sugar applied on the wound can help to combat
infection, and stimulate healing. The sugar changes the pH
of the wound, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria,
and helping to clear out necrotic flesh and promote healing
in wounds.
5. Diapers- Hoof abscesses are a frustrating problem
that often requires days and weeks careful treatment, as well
as bandaging to keep the foot clean as it heals. Instead of
spending hundreds on bandage material like vet wrap and elastikon,
tape a child's diaper to the underside of the foot-using duct
tape. The diaper will keep poultices and medications in place,
last longer than regular bandage material, and the extra padding
it provides will help the foot be more comfortable as it heals.
For more great horse stuff, just click the links below.
About the Author
Ron Petracek was raised in southern Idaho with horses and
the great outdoors. With this continued passion He now shares
through a a vast equine network. Learn more by clicking the
links below. Amazing
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