Horse Health Secrets
Beauty and health are two concepts that cannot be separated from each other. For all living beings, they are so inextricably linked that it cannot be said what we care more about. Horses are no exception. You look at a beautiful, well-groomed horse, and it seems that each of its cells exudes health.
What determines the health and beauty of horses?
First of all, from nutrition and care. Cleaning horses plays a significant role in maintaining their health. Contaminated skin serves as a favorable environment for pyogenic, pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms, as well as for cutaneous parasites. Studies show that on one square centimeter of contaminated skin there are tens or even hundreds of millions of microorganisms that, if the integrity of the skin is broken and fissures form on it, can enter the bloodstream and cause a wide variety of diseases. In addition, the lack of proper care causes clogging of the sweat and sebaceous glands, skin irritation and metabolic disorders in the body. Particularly affected are animals that breathe in the body. This primarily applies to horses!
It is very important to systematically and thoroughly take care of the horse’s skin and hair so that they are clean, as the skin is gradually naturally contaminated by dead epidermal cells, skin secretions, dust and microorganisms. All this dirt is able to linger on the skin for a long time, accumulating in its folds and wrinkles. From the above, a simple conclusion follows: it is necessary to regularly and thoroughly clean and wash the horse. It is especially important to correctly approach this problem, choose the right means for grooming, if you are in close contact with the horse. Remember: horse diseases are your diseases.
Pure hair grows better, combes better, and, unlike dirty, does not get tangled, which is why washing is the most important component of grooming a horse. It is very important to choose the right shampoo for washing. All living beings have a natural protective barrier in the form of an acid reaction of the skin surface. Using unbalanced pH shampoos, we break this barrier and create a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms. Professional well-known companies that produce cosmetics for animals control the pH balance in their shampoos.
Pure healthy hair, like a light guide, better transmits visible light, as well as infrared and ultraviolet, ensuring the penetration of radiant energy deep into the skin and synthesizing the vitamins of group D. Using special shampoos gives a beautiful healthy shine to the hair, increases the brightness of any color and removes stains from light horses . After applying these shampoos, the mane and tail comb well and become soft to the touch. It should be noted that all these shampoos do not irritate the eyes.
If there is a need to comb the dirty, fallen hair of a horse, we recommend using a special spray. The ingredients of the best sprays are only natural, do not contain substances that injure the skin and hair and help fight static electricity. First, spray one of the preparations on the hair until slightly moistened, moisten the tangled areas especially liberally, wait a while, and then start combing from the ends of the hair, gradually moving to the roots. You will see how the tangled areas are easily combed and the hair becomes lively and healthy.
To help caring owners, professional firms produce special products that make horse care much easier. In the cold season or in those conditions where there is not enough water to wash the horse, use special shampoos that do not require rinsing. You will see that the skin and hair (even very long) are completely cleansed. Using conditioners, you can protect the horse’s hair and skin from the scorching sun and sultry wind, moisturize and restore dry and brittle hair
More recently discovered another remarkable function of the skin: it turned out to be an integral and active component of the immune system. Therefore, washing, combing, massages and walks are needed constantly, and not just before starts and exhibitions.
Horses have evolved as “leisurely, picky eaters”, for many hours they grazed in meadows, where there are many different plants. The total nutritional value of this grazing was low, as the feed contained a lot of fiber. Thus, nutrient intake per unit time was also low. However, in general, this time in terms of a day was enough for the animal. In addition, wild relatives did not know the stressful situations that horses experience today, doing this or that job. Currently, we significantly limit our animals in pastures, stalls, depriving them of the choice of feed. It is very important to realize that in modern pastures containing only a few plant species, the likelihood that the animal satisfies all its needs is reduced. If a horse is constantly fed a large number of concentrates, this can worsen its condition.
References:
https://thehorse.com/177335/inside-information-10-signs-of-internal-illness-in-horses/
https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/horse-health-and-sickness