Helpful Tips?

[TriggynBluenDaisy Too]

Ventrolin detangler (I buy by the case) I like even better than Cowboy Magic and I think smells better and does just as good a job of detangling. It absorbs into the hair quickly and doesn't pick up dust and dirt. WD-40 I prefer to save for use on non-living things.

One from Rob I remember as being one I use all the time...to move those heavy rubber mats use vice grips for handles. Makes it really easy to pull them around and put them where you want.

To cut bailing twine without a knife, run another piece of twine under the one you want to cut and see-saw back and forth. The heat from the friction will break the nylon.

Another tip from a forum member although I can't remember to credit, sorry. To cool down your hot clipper blades set them on a heavy piece of steel. It pulls the heat out of them long before your next set gets warm.

I have 6-70 qt water buckets to clean once a week so rather than bleach, which is hard to rinse off and leaves residue, I line them up and in the first one put about a half a cap full of betadine surgical scrub with about 3 gallons of water, scrub the first one, then dump the soapy contents into the second, scrub and so on down the line. When I get to the end I go back and rinse them out easily and refill. They are totally disinfected and it keeps the algae down as good as the bleach--at least in my part of the country.

I use a Maximus hair straightener on my mini who has a wildly poofy do. Makes him look so handsome and it lasted about a week before he frizzed back up due the humidity.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Put your Barn lights on a timer or a sensor and help save the Planet.

You also save money.

 

[Georgine]

Using the shop vac on my horses, especially in the winter when the coat is heavy. They love the treatment once they get used to the noise.

You can buy a turkey baster at the dollar store for the times when you need a larger syringe.

Have various size syringes on hand for the times when you need to make a small "milking machine"

If there is a time that you have a new foal and a mare with no milk, or, god forbid, you lose the mare, we found a way to get the foal an opportunity to nurse between the bottle feedings.

You have to be lucky enough to have another mare with milk.

I stalled the mare next to the orphan, with an adjoining gate.

I took a large bath towel and threw it over the mares head, pushed her own baby to the side and allowed the orphan thru the gate to get a few good "swigs".

It was amazing how quickly he figured that trick out and between bottles he had a few chances to nurse as well.

 

[Warpony]

My favorite: Cheap dollar store maxi pads. These are great for when a horse has a leg injury and you need to wrap to keep meds on it, also works like the above mentioned diaper when poulticing feet and comes in a size that is easily used on mini feet. Put it with adhesive side facing out, and wrap, and the adhesive helps keep it from slipping out of the wrap and helps keep the wrap in place. I learned this when working with a foxhunter would need to be wrapped when standing in his stall. We would wrap him with his meds soaked into the maxi pad under his wraps to keep the legs medicated. Worked wonders for him.

 

[Georgine]

Another tip a vet mentioned was using "bubble wrap" around a sprain or weak limb, with the wood slat support over the wrap and then securing it with duct tape.

They may have been referring more to a dog or cat injuring a limb, but I could see it being used when a foal may need some support.

There are no pressure points with this method.

 

[Carolyn R]

This may just be common sense, but if my horses water intake is slightly off I either throw a rabbit size salt lick or a broken off piece if a salt lick in the bottom of their feed bucket. They need to push the feed around the salt lick and they end up getting thirsty and drinking more. Of course you don't want to use this when feed wet feeds.

 

[whitney]

For those of us that soak hay cubes or beet pulp. Get an automatic timer from walmart (4.00) plug it into your bucket heater (the stick kind) and set the timer for 1 hr prior to feeding when you get to the barn the water is HOT to soak with.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I take my horses temperatures when they are OK- that way I know if the temperature is off at all if I have reason to suspect something is wrong.

I record it along with the worming info in a log book- if each horse has a log book, even better.

Telling a Vet your horses temperature is up a degree might not get a reaction.

Telling a Vet your horses temperature is up a degree from normal will probably get their attention!!!

 

[New_Image]

...to move those heavy rubber mats use vice grips for handles. Makes it really easy to pull them around and put them where you want.

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Milk jugs are hours of amusement.

Oil (Vegi oil, corn oil, mineral oil..) on a clean hoof before a ride keeps snow from packing in their hooves.

Plastic bags make ears perk for pictures.

And I've heard WD-40 DOES work wonders for burr removal, I've never done it as my horses have never been anywhere near burrs however a friend tried everything and this worked best.

 

[MBhorses]

:new_shocked: wow great thread.

thanks for all the great ideals. :saludando:

 

[Ginia]

If you aren't real worried about "keeping up appearances", I made 2 really decent/serviceable harness bags for next to nothing. Used the suitcase-type zippered garmet bags (from the thrift store), sewed 2 strips of nylon strapping with velcro attached to each end so it would make a loop at the top end of the inside back, and 2 more about mid-way down. Not a whole lot bigger than the regular harness bags, plus you have the added plus of a couple of pouches on the front to keep draw reins, extra bits, etc. in where they are handy. Also made a halter bag from a heavy nylon backpack with back straps removed (from the same thrift store). Total cost for all 3 bags was under $10.00

 

[disneyhorse]

I don't like harness bags that much... I use Rubbermaid containers. They stack well and the harness doesn't get crushed (like the winker stays which have wire in them). Keeps them really dust-free and keeps moisture out, too!

Andrea

 

[sfmini]

I learned this one from my vet. For breeding wraps, use a blown bicycle or cart tire tube. Cut the nozzle off, slice the tube lengthwise and voila, a great breeding wrap that is so easy to clean. Since we drive on trails, we do have an easy source of blown tires, well at least I used to until I bought my Pacific Smart Cart.