Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
difficult to pair with others, a burro, ewe, goat, or cow might provide the companionship
the horse needs.
If a horse is going to be turned out indefinitely, it's generally best to pull his shoes and
trim his hooves. But if the horse is going back into work within a month or so, consider
keeping the horse shod while on pasture. Although shod hooves are more damaging to pas-
tures, and pastured horses are more likely to lose shoes than are stalled horses, the hooves
often break at the site of the old nail holes when shoes are removed. It can take months for
the horse to have a solid hoof to nail to again.
Whether a horse should be blanketed on pasture depends on the season, the horse, and
your goals. For summer, a properly fitted PVC-coated mesh fly sheet and mask with ears
will protect a horse from flies and gnats. He will be more comfortable, spend less time
stomping and swishing his tail, and require very little if any fly spray, and his coat will be
protected from UV rays. To prevent problems, be sure the sheet is the correct size and cut
(prevents slippage or rubs), the leg straps and surcingles are properly adjusted (prevents
tangling or loss), and the fly mask is the proper size and style for the horse (prevents eye
irritation, mask loss, or rub sores). Fly collars or brow bands are also helpful for keeping
face flies and gnats from bothering the horse's head.
