Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
signs of rubbing, and under the mane, where there might be skin problems or
ticks.
Do the same for the horse's entire body, paying special attention to the junction
of the neck and chest and in front of the sheath or udder, two places where flies
love to feast. Keep an eye out for rough bumps under the coat that could indic-
ate rain rot. Also examine the inside of the hind legs to see if there have been
any abrasions from leg straps. During winter, be sure to feel the ribs, as this is
the main way to determine if your horse is carrying enough flesh. You should
be barely able to feel the ribs.
Check by palpation and visual exam every inch of the legs and hooves, making
note of any nicks or bumps; roughness under the hair of the legs, which could
indicate rain rot; scabs at the back of the pastern, which could be scratches;
loose shoes; hoof chips or cracks or sticks or stones stuck in the frog. Take ap-
propriate action.
Give the tail a once-over, removing any hidden burrs or branches as you finger
through the tail. Check the tail head, another favorite site for ticks. Apply a
detangler or conditioner to the tail as needed.
Finish with the head. Run your fingers inside the ears, noting if the horse is
sensitive or if there are scabs or red spots inside from gnats. Look carefully
around the eyes for small dings or rub marks from a mask. Be sure the eyes
and nostrils are clear. Run your hand between the lower jawbones and over the
fleshy portion of the throatlatch, two more favorite places for fly feasting. Fin-
ally, open the horse's mouth, looking for any evidence of awns or sticks lodged
in his gums or lips.
If your horse seems out of sorts, take his vital signs and appropriate action.
PASTURE MANNERS
For your own safety, ensure that all of your pastured horses retain their good manners.
When you catch and turn your horse loose for the weekly checks, take the time to do things
right.
Halter
It's safest for pasture horses to be without halters. If necessary, use a turnout halter; turnout
halters have a breakaway mechanism that will ensure that if a horse does get hung up, the
