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Regular
Posts: 94
| I'm looking for some ideas as to how I can make my barrel horse feel is absolute best. Some background: he is a 10 yr old AQHA gelding, flaming jet breeding. Anyway, I've owned him for just a couple months, and have recently "clicked" with him. He is coming on REALLY strong. In the 1D every time and still moving up. This horse has become SO valuable to me. This is my forever horse, I don't plan on selling him down the road & I want to do EVERYTHING I can to make him last!!
I'd like to know what I can do to help keep him feeling and running his absolute best. I'm open to trying anything! I'm thinking things like poultice, ice boots, stretches, etc. Also, longevity. He is perfectly sound, no injections, nothing. When I bought him, hie had super clean legs , no bumps, scars at all. But I noticed the other day now he has a splint( I believe that's what it is) on the inside of his front leg. Hard, and about dime size in diameter, no heat or swelling. It doesn't affect him at all, but I want to prevent things like that!! As of now I am just giving his legs a cold rinse after runs and keep fly boots on to minimize stomping. Please give me some advice that has been beneficial to your barrel horse, things to do before/after runs, what you use, how you do it, do's/don'ts, ANYTHING! I am open to every piece of advice. Thanks in advance! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Ice boots for 20 minutes after strenuous activity is good for legs. A lot of people really like the BOT quick wraps on legs before runs. So No More poultice after runs is good also.
As far as longevity, the best you can do for you horse is have him on an excellent diet and exercise program, catered to what's best for him specifically. Have an excellent farrier on hand to keep him well balanced.
Be proactive about maintenance. If you notice he's a little off, acting funny/different, not clocking as well, starts having issues on the pattern, let your first step be to go over his body with a fine toothed comb. I see too many people wait and see if the issue resolves itself, or they try to "fix" it by tuning on the horse.
And, rest shouldn't be underestimated. We ask a lot from our horses. Occasionally giving them a break/vacation usually allows them to come back running even stronger. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
| Do not over exercise him, and have plenty of pasture time to keep his mind fresh. | |
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Expert
Posts: 3514
 
| Platinum CJ and a good feed like Ultium or Safe Choice Performance. Feed good Alfalfa Hay. As far as legs, you can't go wrong with Ice Vibe boots. Bot wraps before you run. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 911
Location: Durango CO | I give mine the most natural lifestyle I can give. The 2nd most important thing is a balanced and high quality feed program, and 3rd is the best fitting saddle I can find and/or afford. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 2335
Location: IL | I would make sure he's on a good joint or all around supplement. Even if he's not injected or has problems. I always give a nice cold hose of the legs when done riding or competing. If water is not available carry a mix of water and alcohol in a spray bottle and spray his legs down. Make sure he is in shape, the most common injuries are caused from an out of shape horse. I bought soft rides for long trailer rides to help cushion the bumps going down the road. Helps the concussion on joints. Always offer fresh water while traveling. I've learned alot from the 5 years of hauling. I keep a hay net in front of them alot too. Horses get nervous easy from home and it causes more stomach acids which cause ulcers. The hay (not grain) help resolve this issue. I also use magnets and i'm really impressed by them. My husband uses BOT wraps and really likes them too!I hope this helps! It's a great feeling once you click with a horse and your having smoking runs!! Good Luck with him!
Edited to say, don't leave him stalled a ton, turn out is best for muscles, joints, and respiratory!
Edited by merdth6 2014-07-09 1:31 PM
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Regular
Posts: 94
| Thanks everyone for your input.. Ice boots seem like a good idea to me but how do they work if I don't have access to a freezer while on the road? Assuming they need to be froze between uses..? Right now I have him on purina strategy feed, so far I like it a lot | |
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