I thought I'd share a few of my own, well, those that I've learned from others and from experience...............
1) I scrub my water troughs with plain bleach and rinse well. When I refill, I pour a 1/2 cup to one cup of bleach into the water. It makes it only slightly chlorinated and retards the growth of algae and the horses drink it.
2) Now I know to use Walmart generic Metamucil (unflavored) instead of the expensive Sandclear to help prevent colick. Two tablespoons mixed with grain and a little corn oil twice a week.
3) Corn Oil, another good thing. Great for disguising powdery substances in grain, such as meds or Metamucil. Also great for horses that tend to spill grain as it helps to glue it together. I've done this with Misty until I can get her an appointment to have her teeth floated.
4) I keep a halter and lead rope handy in the feed shed close to where the horses are kept, just in case we have an escapee and need to capture them quickly, also nothing like a scoop of grain to get the attention of an escaped horse.
5) Speaking of escapees, I have learned in this area, to keep an extra lead rope in the car, because I've come across some one else's escaped horse and have helped to catch it.
6) I have a horse who likes to stomp in the water troughs, just after I clean them, which then craps them all up so that no one has fresh water, so I have lifted them up on cement blocks. It brings them up high enough as to not allow legs in it. I also have a small 35 gallon rubber trough that I fill for her own personal puddling pool.
7) I have dedicated one vegetable crisper in the refrigerator for just animal care, which includes a handy tube of Banamine and Bute.
8) Electrical tape and heavy chains. I keep those handy for fence repair. Electrical tape for repair of the electric fence and it also works good for broken clips. Chains and metal clips for binding fence panels together.
9) T-post caps and Duct tape. Wonderful for covering bolts or other things that may poke out and cause injury. I cover it with the cap and wrap it with layers of duct tape.
10) For obvious reasons and we all should know this and I'm sure we do, but limiting the pasture to only a couple of hours in the day, saves the pasture and saves the horse from foundering.
11) I also keep a first aid bucket in the feed shed handy, which includes a clean small rubber tub, poultice, cotton wrap, leg wrap, betadine, scissors, gauze, aloe cream and a whole host of other things that may be needed for an injury. I also keep the hoof pick handy, one in truck, feeding shed and in house.
If anyone can think of any more handy tips to add, please let me know what you do.
11 comments:
I think you've just about covered it all. I like the award you made up, I'll get it later. Watching my 3 yr. old granddaughter right now.
Thank you for the interesting and useful tips.
A hammer is handy for dealing with protruding nails.
I like to have a knife or axe around to cut ropes in emergency, and bolt croppers too if chains are used.
All great tips for us horsey people! One I would add is I always keep a halter and lead rope attached on the stall door of each horse in case of fire and we have to get them out in a hurry. Nothing would be any worse then having to hunt for a halter or lead in an emergency. (I don't keep halters on my guys at night, I know some people do but I like to take them off.)
Cool, Arlene, Aaww, Granddaughter, don't have any yet, and better not as none of our children are ready! LOL
Julian, Oh the hammer is good! I don't know if I'd need an axe here, but bolt croppers maybe here, but I'm just a little facility.
Midlife Mom, Good idea for the stall. Yeah, my halters are usually off and only go on if we working or I need to give meds or something.
I was just cleaning my water trough out the other day with bleach and was wondering if bleach was safe to use! I didn't know you could use it to keep the algae down! Thanks for the tip!
Katie, It's as if you gave chlorinated water from a city tap. As long as it's just a small amount.
I LOVE these great tips!!! I'll have to think up some to share too:)
Thanks, Kelly, Glad you apreciate them. I'd like to see your list. I'm always looking for other's advice and tips!
I will have to try the #6 Cement blocks. I have two horses that love the water especially in the warmer weather! They try to get in the trough. I've seen them with both front legs in it before!! As far as a tip... Preperation H works well to reduce any swelling or cuts on your horse. If you run out of bag balm or Corona. My vet told me about it. I will think on some others ?
Cowboys,kids & sunsets, I did that because little Misty would get both of her legs in the trough and bust up my heaters in the fall!
Cowboys,kids & sunsets, I did that because little Misty would get both of her legs in the trough and bust up my heaters in the fall!
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