A slew of discussion questions

[acoustic11]

Back with a whole bunch of discussion topics that I would like to hear opinions on

Comments

[acoustic11]

Meh, I've never really liked them. They worked really well for my trainer's older TB with cushings, but for some reason they don't seem to grab Gali's hair the right way. And they do make the Furminator for horses, it's the same blade except larger. http://www.amazon.com/FURminator-equine-deShedding-tool-edge/dp/B000PUC3BO

I dunk his bit and wipe it down every time but he still manages to get it gross. Maybe it's the cold weather now but by the time i'm done cooling him down, the gunk has stuck to the sides of the bit near his mouth. The magic eraser is godly for that.

[miladyelizabeth]

I tried that Furminator - don't waste your money. It's designed to pull a cat or dog's undercoat, and since horses don't have an undercoat, it really isn't effective.

As for pads, I'm not sure how a pad could make a saddle wider, only narrower...? Either way, try a Thinline perhaps?

[acoustic11]

Thanks for the tip on the Furminator.

I guess it makes it "wider" because it's so thick, that it raises the saddle above what little withers he has and causes it to slide a lot more. I tried a thinline and it still slipped. I think that was because there is no spine break on a thinline pad so there was nothing "extra" to keep the pad in place.

[dreamswept]

What about a slow feed haybag? I've got my Haflinger using a slow feed hay net and it's set up for the feeders to just stuff the hay inside since he's at a boarding stable, but if you're feeding yourself, why not get a Nibble Net or Busy Horse bag? The bag might be tougher than the net, although they are pricey.

I've got a Freedom Feeder for the pony. Usually takes him most of the day to eat his breakfast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/dreamswept/MightyMitch/mitch-freedom-feeder5.jpg

[acoustic11]

I had something similar to the nibble net, and it lived up to its name - it got nibbled. Canvas just isn't tough enough for him, he ends up ripping it to pieces. I'm at a boarding stable so I'm reluctant to get a small hole rope net because I know how much of a pain in the ass they can be and I'd hate to bother the barn staff that much.

I REALLY like that freedom feeder, but it wouldn't work the way his stall is set up. Maybe I'll use something like that for his field in the summer, though. It looks like it's exactly what I'd need. Thanks!

[allfoolsinlove]

Hmm I'm trying to think if I've ever seen a cushiony non-slip pad before.. the only thing I can think of is gel pads? That adds a little bit of cushion, but probably not enough..

What about putting one under the half pad? I put a non-slip pad under a thin square pad and a half pad on top of that.

[acoustic11]

The gel pads I've tried have cause just as much slip as without them. I guess I could try the no-slip under the saddle and half pad - I think that may work. I just need to find thin versions of each. Thanks.

[phoenix_igniton]

I'd try either a Perfect Balance fleeceworks pad.

Perhaps a non-slip pad with a thin half pad underneath?

I find that cleaning after every ride keeps my bit always clean and never gross.

For shedding-it depends. if they have a long but silky smooth coat I would go with either a regular curry and/or those grooming blocks (looks like a pumice stone?)

If its coarser hair then those shedding blades work a lot better.

[gatehorse]

I was going to suggest those grooming blocks, I just can't remember what they're called. We use them at school and they seem to work pretty well.

[acoustic11]

I'll look into the Perfect Balance, hopefully it's what I'm looking for. Thanks!

My bit still gets gunky even after I wipe it down every ride, but I'm so glad I found the magic erasers. And I've never tried those pumice stone blocks but I've seen them - definitely worth a try. Thanks!

[rideonawhim]

Grooming blocks are called "Slick N Easy Grooming Block".
I can get them at my local tack store.

[bella_cheval]

Besides a good old rubber curry, I love my little ShopVac for shedding season. Not only can you get more stuff off of your horse, you can vacuum yourself off as well when you're done!

I haven't tried the Furminator for horses, but I've got a small version of a generic Furminator for my house bunnies that works a treat. Methinks I need to head back to the pet store and get a bigger one to see if it works as well on a horse as it does the bunnies.

[acoustic11]

How loud is the mini ship vac? I think my horse could get used to it if it's quieter than regular shop vacs.

[bella_cheval]

It's not quite as loud as the big ones, but it's still loud. Hubby bought a longer hose for the vacuum so we could put it further away from the wash rack and decrease the noise.