It would have been better to have some washers between the screws and the jelly scrubbers as they’re very soft plastic, but hopefully they’ll last a while before tearing off (it’s been 3 months and they’re still good! At certain times of year, especially during shedding season or when insects are active, horses are even itchier than usual. When they realize how well it works and begin to use it consistently, you can move it to a different location away from the fence.

DIY Scratch Post For Horses - COWGIRL Magazine

If your horse leans over and begins to rub you with their teeth or lips, stop scratching and step back. We have articles about horse racing, horse care, the lessons learned from owning horses, and much more. This horse scratcher provides a safe and affordable way for your horses to scratch, that mounts to any corner instead of a flat wall.Shires Equestrian Siku Stubbs Supreme Products Toggi Tractor Ted Unbranded Weatherbeeta Woof Wear Zoon More brands. If your horse is too enthusiastic about scratching and throws their head or neck around as they rub into your scratching fingers, pause briefly and take a step back. Mutual grooming is a strong relationship-building behavior for your horse and helps strengthen the bonds in their herd. For popular races like the Kentucky Derby, track veterinarians examine the entries throughout the week leading up to the day of the race. When a recurring problem is indicated, the veterinarian checks that issue to ensure it is fully healed.

How to Make a DIY Scratching Post for Horses - Own The Horse

An avid equestrian and seasoned racehorse owner, Miles Henry brings his extensive experience to the equine world, proudly associating with the AQHA, The Jockey Club, and various other equine organizations. So if you can set up a sturdy self-scratching area (the edge of a barn, a designated post, a big tree) this can help prevent your fences and gates being destroyed by itchy butts, heads and necks. Most of the racehorses running in the Derby are shipped in, and the veterinarians want to ensure they are in proper condition to race. You probably have several well used brushes around the stable, so take a few and create your horse’s new favorite enrichment item.Giving your horse the chance to scratch on the right material prevents damage to property and manes and tails – and it improves your horse’s quality of life. You can make a scratching board for horses in a few different ways, but this tutorial shows how to make a super simple but very effective scratching board…from scrub brushes! Stiff brushes like this are perfect to screw into the top of a post or rail for horses to itch the underside of their jaw. If you can’t add a freestanding post, you can install any of the textures in this article on a wooden fencepost, or use a solid wall by creating a wall mounted scratching board. Pick a material from the list below, and use a drill to screw the scratch material to the post or wall.

The Right Angle Scratcher - Fair Mare Products The Right Angle Scratcher - Fair Mare Products

The easiest scratching post is simply to hold your hands up, fingers slightly curved in the same position you use for scratching. By scratching your horse when and where they need it, you’ll share a positive experience with your horse that builds a trusting bond. The veterinarians assess the horse, watching its demeanor, checking his eyes, and confirming the racehorse with its tattoo. Also, she is 27 and arthritic so I think I’ll make her a sandpit too… Thanks for all the great insights!

The Equine Scratcher is designed to give maximum itch relief without the worry of potential injuries. After the general assessment, the racehorse’s legs are checked, and the horses are observed while hand jogged. To “steal a purse” occurs when an owner or trainer hopes to sneak a fast horse into a claiming race with inferior horses to win some easy money. Visit this article for the DIY scratching board, which is great for stalls, pasture shelters, or wood fences. We do the scratching thing a few times a day 🙂 My pony suffers sweet itch (she is new to me) and I am working hard to keep her comfortable.