Know your horse
Get physical
When the weather’s good and there aren’t too many flies about, turn him out naked. Horses enjoy the sun on their backs, as well as having a lovely roll in the mud.
When picking out his hooves, give your horse a stretch by gently pulling his legs out in front and behind him. Work within his comfortable range of movement and be sure to pull in a straight line. He’ll love it and may even voluntarily go into a full body stretch. Baited stretches can help release tightness in his back and neck, too.
TOP TIP
A massage will help your horse relax. It could be therapeutic, such as a physio session, but a sunny half-hour with a massage mitt will go a long way.
Give your horse plenty of exercise, either through riding or turning out – or, preferably, both. Not only does he need this to keep fit, but movement also aids digestion.
DID YOU KNOW?
Food for thought