Sheriff Stock Farm :: Trainer Tips

This is the time of year when your horse starts to hair up. In order to keep that good, tight hair on your horse, follow these important tips.

It's important to keep at least 16 hours of light on your horse. I recommend new 200 watt bulbs. Try to have new light bulbs put in during the fall season, if they are recently new, clean them well.
De worm your horse every 45 days. Also, feed them proper vitamins and minerals throughout the fall/winter months.
Temperature is key to great hair. Your barn needs to be at least 68º if you are not using blankets or sheets. Keep the doors closed, and do not allow your horse to become chilled. Wind drafts through the barns will hair up a horse faster than anything.
For barns that have no heat and use blankets/sheets, make sure the horse never sweats under them. If the horse is not kept clean and cool, this could cause a fungus problem which is ringworm. Ringworm may take months to get over and the hair could take a long time to get back to appearing normal.
Always keep them comfortable . It is also important to take the blankets off every day to let the hair breathe. Try to refrain from bathing, especially in cold water and on cold days!
Purchase a vacuum if you do not already have one. Lean more towards vacuuming and brushing, this will improve the hair coat tremendously! Always keep your blankets washed so no fungus can begin and keep the same sheets with the same horses.
As the cold weather sets in a little more hay and grain is required when the temperature drops, this will increase your horses body heat.

Good luck on a great winter hair coat!

If you have any questions, or comments please feel free to email me at info@sheriffstockfarm.com.

Perfect Hair: Oct/Nov 2009