What secrets/tricks do YOU know in the horse world?

Question

What magic horse tricks are out there? What do you guys have up your sleeves?

Why I'm asking: I saw one of the most interesting methods to keep a horse from pawing today! My instructor's son is training in Holland, and learned this trick from one of the grooms there, so we tried it today. One of the horses CONSTANTLY paws, and nothing has worked yet. However, what we tried was taking a horseshoe w/o nails, and wrapping it around the pastern. He completely stopped pawing! It didn't frighten him, and posed no danger, yet was incredibly effective. I think it's similar to a twitch, as in it just distracted him. The WHOLE time, he just stood sitll and didn't lift a hoof! So, it just made me wonder what other secrets there are...

Answer 1

If you must haul a stallion together in a trailer with mares, put vicks in his nostrils.

If you need an emergency twitch, you can make one with a bit of bailing twine and a double end clip. Then clip to the side of the halter to free up your hands.

A piece of bicycle innertube with a stick through it sheds out a horse like nobody's business! Things I learned that from my Grandfather.

Thanks Grandpa!

Answer 2

I twitch my mare ear as she hates a normal twitch.i also wave a wipe around my body to teach any horse that try to walk on me when feeding so they lean that if they come in to close they will bump into something. i also paint post with oil to keep them from eating them.

Answer 3

To get a horses foot up so you can clean it. U lean on him/her and squeeze the bone that kinda has the groove like use ur finger nails. and im not sure thats a trick. But if u use a hoof pick and tap the leg with it some times that works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smile every day!

-GILLIAN  

Answer 4

I've also put a choke chain for a dog onto the pastern for a determined pawer.  The extra chain would slap the other leg if he pawed.  Everytime it hit him...he would stop and look at it and sniff it.  Finally gave up pawing.  Oh...this was AFTER he tried changing feet to paw.  So I put the collar on the other foot and he was quite 'bemused' that he was hitting himself and I was standing 20 feet away watching him.

And did you know that you don't need a knife or scissors to open hay bales that use twine?  You just slip an old nylon hay twine under the string that is holding the bale together.  [Do one at a time]  Take an end of the one you slipped under in each hand.  Add some pressure and 'saw' back and forth.  You should be able to 'break' the string around the bale within 3-5 'saws'

Heating a nail over flame until it's hot...hold it with pliers...or you'll burn your fingers.  You can punch a hole in nylon tack.  It melts its way through and then 'seals' the hole with the melted nylon so it doesn't fray.  You just use different sized nails for different sized holes.

Answer 5

A hoof pick can be used for everything.  Whenever I *have* to get big clumps of mud quickly off my horses coat, I use the brush on the back for that.  You can widen out the holes in a halter using the pick, open feed bags when they're being uncooperative, undo tangles in a horses tail, break up stubborn alfalfa bales, among other things.  That's when I can find one of course, I use them for everything so they're never where I need them.

You can use a doggy clicker to train just about any horse.  I can only cluck so many times, so a while ago I bought one of those because I was curious if I could use it.  Now every time my horses hear a clicking noise, they look at me for some sort of request.  I use it to work with longing, too.

My old broodmare constantly paws, I will have to try that.  Thanks!

Answer 6

To tighten or unscrew a "Chicago" s***w, keep a dime with you...works wonderfully on the "male" portion if you don't have a screwdriver with you  and you're far from the barn.  

A single "hobble" with a section of chain attached works wonderfully on pawer.

Dryer sheets work wonders on static electricity...to reduce the "snap" while removing a polyester sheet from your horse..wipe that dryer sheet over the main portion of the sheet; do both sides of the sheet.   Be sure to undo front buckles and remove the sheet off the back end of your horse...do NOT try to bring the sheet over his head....in the event any static remains in the sheet.  

"Off" mosquito and fly repellant also works on horses.  It's FDA approved and good for a last minute spray on your horse's belly just before you enter the show pen.

Keep a bucket of water and a sponge by your tack room.  Place a little Absorbine in the water and sponge off your horse after a workout using this; a  trick of the ASB five gaited/three gait/fine harness  trainers.  I think these guys have the cleanest barns around.   Have another sponge and clear water to sponge off bits; remove the saliva and foam after a workout.

You may also keep Lexol "wipes" by your tack room for a quick wipe down of your saddles, bridles, etc., avoid putting your equipment away dirty.  Also do this with a driving harness....any piece of leather that is in direct contact with your horse's sweat.

Buy two LARGE garbage cans; in one place your dirty sheets and blankets that are ready to go to the blanket cleaners; use the other garbage can to store blankets for winter.   Keeps our furry mouse buddies, dust and dirt away from the blankets.

Store your shampoos and conditioners, and sponges in a large empty bucket and keep this near where you shower down your horse.  

Don't forget to keep your neoprene cinches, splint boots, skid boots, and bell boots clean...sponge down after each use.   If you don't the accumulated dirt can create hot spots and rubs on your horse's legs.

Answer 7

To stop a pawer or one who kicks the door I used to get an old dog collar or a bit of rope and thread a washers over it. Then I'd tie it around the pastern, same theory really!

I use bailing twine to open bales - just take one end in one hand, loop the twine over the twine around the bale, take the other end in your other hand and "saw" it back and forth!

When I think of more tips and tricks I shall update!

Answer 8

I secret is, make sure if your in a stall with a new colt, to be sure the son is not making shadows on the wall or he will have a fit, and try to fly. for real he did this.

I also put Pine Sol on the wood doors of the stalls, it will not hurt the horse at all, clean smelling and they wont chew on the stall doors, and vet even said wont hurt them...no chewing at all...

and in the summer if riding, stay away from trees, make sure no bee hives are in them, yes ouch......me and horse got stung...

Answer 9

1) a wet chamois between your english saddle pad and your saddle will prevent slipping.

2) I use a lariat nose band on snaffles on the greenies that I just melt on and customize to their nose myself, so when I give the whoa cues.. I'm not pulling on the bars in their mouths, but on their noses, so they take the transition from halter training and driving to bit.

3) Groundwork overcomes 99% of training issues.

4) Pepi spray is da bomb on tails.

5) a wet sock, alot of good in cleanup situations on aisle before a class.