Standing while bathing and feeding questions...
I searched through the tags and have gotten some good information, but have more specific questions regarding standing while bathing and feeding.
First, what are your suggestions to help teach a horse to stand still while getting hosed? Specifically, the hindquarters area.
I am pretty certain Lyric's first bath was when I gave her one this spring. Initially, she danced and was unimpressed with the whole water idea. Now she will stand well until I reach her hindquarters; she hates having her hind legs and tail dock area hosed. Lyric will stomp her feet and swing her butt back and forth. She does not mind having the areas sprayed with fly spray, just water. I only use the "gentler" settings on my nozzle (mist and shower) when bathing her.
I have tried going up and down her hind legs with the hose, thinking eventually she will get use to the sensation and relax. So far, it has not really worked.
The only time she will stand nicely when spraying her hindquarters is when eating grass, but I am not a fan of letting my horses graze while doing other things to them (bathing, grooming, tacking up, etc). I want her to understand that she needs to stand quietly while I am doing all of these things without eating grass. Mostly, because I find it obnoxious when a horse is constantly pulling to eat grass.
Normally, Lyric stands well when tied. So, the overall concept of standing quietly is there, I am just not sure how to build on the idea.
Second, I want to figure out a nice feeding program for her. I need to speak with my vet to really establish a good plan, but wanted some input before asking him.
She's only two, so obviously she is growing. Lyric is doing the typical grow-and-look-a-little-ribby and even-out-and-look-normal stuff, which is fine and I have no concerns with that cycle. I just want to make sure she is getting the appropriate amount of nutrition to grow well.
She is turned out 24/7 in a smallish pasture with a couple of other horses. Her field does not have anymore grass at this point in the summer, but the barn does give hay. I am responsible for feeding anything additional (grain, supplements, etc) on a daily basis.
Right now she is eating 1/2 scoop (3 quart scoop) of Omolene 100 twice daily and 1/2 scoop (before being soaked) of beet pulp once a day. She has a trace mineral block in her pasture. She is getting fed two good-sized flakes twice a day and I turn her out on a large grass pasture about three times a week for an hour or so (the best I can do, because I have to stay on the property while she is turned out on the grass pasture).
She is worked 4-5 days a week in a variety of different things (some lunging (with/without ground poles), ground driving (walk/trot), showmanship/halter, basic ground manners - all rotated).
I don't want to pump her full of grain or unnecessary supplements, but definitely want to make sure she is getting what she needs to grow properly. I am curious what others are feeding their youngsters and what type of work are in (since it is relative to feeding).
Indulge me? Suggestions?
Thanks for any advice, guys!
First, what are your suggestions to help teach a horse to stand still while getting hosed? Specifically, the hindquarters area.
I am pretty certain Lyric's first bath was when I gave her one this spring. Initially, she danced and was unimpressed with the whole water idea. Now she will stand well until I reach her hindquarters; she hates having her hind legs and tail dock area hosed. Lyric will stomp her feet and swing her butt back and forth. She does not mind having the areas sprayed with fly spray, just water. I only use the "gentler" settings on my nozzle (mist and shower) when bathing her.
I have tried going up and down her hind legs with the hose, thinking eventually she will get use to the sensation and relax. So far, it has not really worked.
The only time she will stand nicely when spraying her hindquarters is when eating grass, but I am not a fan of letting my horses graze while doing other things to them (bathing, grooming, tacking up, etc). I want her to understand that she needs to stand quietly while I am doing all of these things without eating grass. Mostly, because I find it obnoxious when a horse is constantly pulling to eat grass.
Normally, Lyric stands well when tied. So, the overall concept of standing quietly is there, I am just not sure how to build on the idea.
Second, I want to figure out a nice feeding program for her. I need to speak with my vet to really establish a good plan, but wanted some input before asking him.
She's only two, so obviously she is growing. Lyric is doing the typical grow-and-look-a-little-ribby and even-out-and-look-normal stuff, which is fine and I have no concerns with that cycle. I just want to make sure she is getting the appropriate amount of nutrition to grow well.
She is turned out 24/7 in a smallish pasture with a couple of other horses. Her field does not have anymore grass at this point in the summer, but the barn does give hay. I am responsible for feeding anything additional (grain, supplements, etc) on a daily basis.
Right now she is eating 1/2 scoop (3 quart scoop) of Omolene 100 twice daily and 1/2 scoop (before being soaked) of beet pulp once a day. She has a trace mineral block in her pasture. She is getting fed two good-sized flakes twice a day and I turn her out on a large grass pasture about three times a week for an hour or so (the best I can do, because I have to stay on the property while she is turned out on the grass pasture).
She is worked 4-5 days a week in a variety of different things (some lunging (with/without ground poles), ground driving (walk/trot), showmanship/halter, basic ground manners - all rotated).
I don't want to pump her full of grain or unnecessary supplements, but definitely want to make sure she is getting what she needs to grow properly. I am curious what others are feeding their youngsters and what type of work are in (since it is relative to feeding).
Indulge me? Suggestions?
Thanks for any advice, guys!