Equines Archives - EquiGroomer Horse and Pet Tools

Posted on March 30, 2024July 9, 2024 by equigroomerllc

Horses have been our companions, workers, and partners for centuries. Across the globe, various breeds have captured the hearts of equestrians and enthusiasts with their unique characteristics and history.

Let’s embark on a journey through seven of the most popular equine breeds below starting with one of the oldest breeds on Earth, the Arabian.

(Disclaimer: This list may not include all the “popular” horse breeds. Popularity is as diverse as the people who love them!)

Arabian

The Arabian horse is one of the oldest and most influential breeds in the world, dating back thousands of years. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, these horses are known for their distinctive dished face, arched neck, and high tail carriage. Revered for their endurance and intelligence, Arabians excel in endurance riding and are prized as show horses. (Source: Arabian Horse Association)

Thoroughbred

Originating in England in the 17th century, Thoroughbreds are renowned for their speed and agility. Primarily bred for racing, these elegant horses possess a lean build, long legs, and a spirited temperament. With their lineage traced back to three founding sires, the Thoroughbred’s athleticism has made it a dominant force in the world of horse racing. (Source: Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association)

Fun Fact: did you know that the name “Thoroughbred” came after breeders believed the breed had been “thoroughly bred!”

Quarter Horse

Hailing from the United States, the Quarter Horse is celebrated for its versatility and strength. Named for its prowess in quarter-mile races, this breed excels in various disciplines, including barrel racing, reining, and ranch work. With a compact build and powerful hindquarters, Quarter Horses are prized for their agility and gentle disposition. (Source: American Quarter Horse Association)

Appaloosa

Once bred by the Nez Perce tribe, the Appaloosa has colorful coat patterns and spotted skin. Valued for versatility, speed, agility and overall stamina, the Appaloosa excels in both Western and English disciplines, as well as in the show ring and on the trail. (Source: Appaloosa Horse Club)

An image of a Painted Horse with brown and white standing in a pasture — Paint Horse (Image: Robert Waghorn/Pixabay)

Paint Horse

A favorite among western riders, the Paint Horse has distinctive coat patterns, characterized by large patches of white and any other color. Originally descended from spotted horses brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers, Paint Horses are versatile athletes, competing in disciplines such as barrel racing, cutting, and pleasure riding. (Source: Paint Horse Association)

Looking for a healthy homemade treat for your horse? With just 20 minutes and 7 ingredients, you can make this easy hors e treat courtesy of Mama on the Homestead!

Appendix

Another popular equine breed is the Appendix. No, we’re not talking about the body part, but another very popular and versatile horse breed! The equine Appendix is a cross between a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred. Their popularity comes from combining the energy and temperament of the Thoroughbred and the incredible speed and agility of the Quarter Horse. (Source: Horse Illustrated)

Morgan

With roots tracing back to the United States, the Morgan is one of the oldest horse breeds in America. Known for its compact build, refined head, and proud carriage, the Morgan is a versatile breed excelling in driving, riding, and ranch work. Due to their loyal and affectionate nature, they make excellent family horses and performers in various disciplines. (Source: American Morgan Horse Association)

In Conclusion

The world of horses (and the popular equine breeds) is as diverse as the people who love them! Each breed brings its unique charm, personality, and capabilities. Whether it’s the speed of the Thoroughbred, the Quarter Horse’s versatility, or the Arabian’s elegance, there’s a breed to suit every rider!

Image of the wooden WaterWisk Grooming Tool for Horse Bathing — The WaterWisk Horse Sweat Scraper (Courtesy: EquiGroomer.com)

No matter your choice of horse breed,
it’s important to have the best grooming tools to keep your horse in tip-top shape!

Make bathing your horse easier with our 7-inch WaterWi sk Equine Sweat Scraper!

Questions about our EasyGroomer Tools?

Call us at 8 60-573-0604 or email us at EquiGroomer.c om
to give your horses, dogs, or cats the BEST grooming experience!

Posted on September 8, 2022July 9, 2024 by equigroomerllc

Although it’s something we’d rather not think about, emergencies happen (including natural disasters) and when they do, your horse (or any other pet for that matter) is depending on YOU to be prepared! Whether you’re riding in the backcountry, injuries happen in the barn, paddock, pasture or even the show ring, your horse needs you, his guardian, to be prepared to offer immediate help for his safety, well-being and comfort.

So how can you build emergency horse kits? Keep reading below.

Potential Horse Emergencies: Be Prepared!

In the moment of an emergency, we can forget even the simplest of things when trying to cope with stress and anxiety. By keeping a fully stocked first aid kit accessible, you can save precious time when trouble strikes!

Trail Riding Mini First Aid Kit (Amazon) — Mini Trail Riding Horse First Aid Kit (Amazon)

Also make sure to:

Take a mini kit for trail rides.
Keep another first aid kit in your barn; and
Keep another kit with your trailering emergency kit (see below).

While smartphone apps for First Aid are invaluable, they are only as good as the reception for your phone. So, consider carrying or posting a printed “cheat sheet” in case your phone cannot reliably access cell service when an emergency happens.

“The Complete Equine Emergency Bible”
can also put valuable information at your fingertips immediately!

Horse Emergencies: A First Aid Kit!

While you can purchase a ready-to-use Equine First Aid Kit online (like Amazon.com), it’s also easy to assemble your own with checklists and videos you can find online like the ones below.

VIDEO: Items to Include in an Equine First Aid Kit from the University of Minnesota Equine Extension Program.
VIDEO: Ask the Vet – What Should I have in my Equine First Aid Kit by SmartPak.
PRINTABLE CHECKLISTS: First Aid Kits for Horses and Riders from HorseIllustrated.com.
PRINTABLE CHECKLIST: Horse First Aid Kit Basic Supplies by EquineSpot.com.

But wait! Do you also have an emergency kit for your horse trailer? You should!

Horse Emergencies: The Horse Trailer!

Brown and White Horse Looking out Trailer Window

If you’re transporting your horse(s), it’s also critical to have a “trailering emergency kit.” This kind of emergency kit for your horse trailer goes well beyond the traditional emergency kit for your horse but is just as critical if your trailer breaks down while traveling with your equine(s).

The trailering emergency kit should include:

Road service phone numbers.
Current guides (or apps) listing potential horse hotels.
Plenty of water for your horse(s).
Proper automotive tools.
Registration and insurance paperwork and health certificates; and
In the winter, items required for winter travel; and more!

The trailering emergency kit (remember to include your horse’s First Aid kit too) could mean the difference between quickly and safely resuming your trip or being stuck for hours waiting for road services, especially in bad weather. In sweltering heat or freezing cold temperatures, not being prepared could put your horse(s) at great risk!

Thanks again to HorseIllustrated.com, you can download a copy of the trailering emergency kit checklist here.

By being prepared before an emergency, natural disaster or injury,
you can provide the best care and attention for your horse or pet!
Do not wait until the worst happens!

Mare Being Nuzzled by a Foal in the Pasture

The EquiGroomer Tools cut shedding in half — The EquiGroomer Tools for Horses and Other Animals

EquiGroomer: The Perfect Grooming Tools for Your Horse!

Easy to Use!

Painless!

Durable!

Made in the USA for all Equine Breeds!

We guarantee your horse, dog, cat, other pets or livestock, will LOVE the EquiGroomer Grooming Tools!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604
or send us an email.

Posted on March 26, 2022July 15, 2024 by equigroomerllc

If there’s one thing all pet guardians can agree on it’s our precious pets never live long enough! While there are “average” life spans for cats, dogs and horses,
there are many factors that ultimately affect the
actual time they spend with us!

Pet Life Spans

If pet parents had their say, our pets would remain with us forever! But what are the “average” life spans for the dogs, cats and horses who share our life? According to PetHelpful.com:

Smaller dogs live longer than their bigger K9 counterparts.
Indoor cats live much longer than those who live outside; and
Ponies (a smaller breed) live longer than horses.

At a quick glance, below are the average pet life spans for canines, felines and equines.

Dogs: Average Life Span

Senior Yellow Lab with White Face — Older Yellow Lab with White Face

Small dogs: < 20 lbs.

13 years (Chihuahuas are known to live up to 20 years)

Medium Dogs: 20-89 lbs.

11 years (Oldest dog: 29 years old, an Australian Cattle Dog)

Large Dogs: 90+ lbs.

8 years (Spayed/neutered dogs live longer)

PetCareRX: A Dog Years Chart by Breed

Dogs with the Shortest Lifespan

Cats: Average Life Span

Indoors Only

12-28 years (Oldest cat: 28 years old)

Outdoors Only

2-5 years (Due to high exposure to illness, injury and disease)

PetCareRX: Average Lifespan of a Cat Breed Chart

Newsweek: 20 Cat Breeds with the Shortest Lifespans

Horses: Average Life Span

25-33 years (Oldest horse, Old Billy, was 62 years old)
Domestic horses live longer than wild horses whose life expectancy is only about 15 years

Two Wild Horses Nuzzling Each Other — Wild Horses Nuzzling Each Other

Deep Hollow Ranch: Horse Longevity by Breed

Deep Hollow Ranch: The Oldest Horses Worldwide

The Factors Behind Pet Life Spans

While there are “average life expectancies” for each kind of pet, paying close attention to the factors affecting the quality and length of our pet’s life can support a better and longer pet life span.

According to the PetFriendly website, the factors affecting our pet’s life expectancy may include:

Breeding and genetics: certain breeds are prone to shorter life spans.
Nutrition: fresh, high-quality and species-appropriate foods; avoid overfeeding.
Exercise and mental stimulation: daily and appropriate physical and mental activities/stimulation.
Well-being and health: vet care (both regular and preventative), consistent hygiene, grooming and dental care.
Environmental: indoor/outdoor pollutants, toxins or chemicals; outdoor exposure to weather.
Emotional connection: like people, pets also need a strong emotional bond with their human family.

The number of times a pet has reproduced can also affect its overall longevity.

While breeding and genetics determine a lot when it comes to life span, pet parents can educate themselves on how best to support a longer life expectancy for their pet. Talk to your vet to learn more about your pet’s life span.

How to Tell Your Pet’s Age

Sometimes, when adopting a homeless pet, information about their exact date of birth may not be available.

But there are physical ways to approximate how old your new pet may be. This includes your pet’s:

Teeth.
Eyes.
Hearing.
Overall coat
Body changes including muscle tone and build.
Mobility/activity level.

To learn more about your specific pet, click on the appropriate link below.

White and Gray Horse being Groomed by Woman — Horse being Groomed with the EquiGroomer WaterWisk

As mentioned above, your pet’s hygiene and grooming is critical to their overall well-being and longevity.

We guarantee your dog, cat, horse, other pets or livestock will LOVE the EquiGroomer!

Our blades are easy-to-use and comfortable for the most sensitive-skinned pet and ensures pain-free grooming!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email today!

Posted on January 28, 2021July 15, 2024 by equigroomerllc

It’s a commonly debated question, should horses be blanketed in winter? Below is a look at both sides of this “heated” debate.

Blankets, Yay or Nay?

Winter presents a whole new set of challenges for horse owners depending on where they live. From plunging temperatures, snow, rain, sleet and mud, should you blanket your horse during the winter season? While some equines may need extra protection against the harsh elements, other horses may overheat wearing a blanket.

So what’s a person to do?

Things to Consider First

While there’s no definitive or automatic answer about whether you should blanket your horse during the colder months, there are some general guidelines that can help. Each horse is different, but the tips below can help you decide what to do for each individual horse.

Is your horse:

Shivering either in the barn or outside? When your horse is shivering, it’s the body’s attempt to produce more heat. To determine if your horse is cold, place your hand up inside the elbow or stifle to check for warmth.
Very young or very old? Typically, healthy adult horses can effectively regulate their body temperatures. But for senior horses and foals, they need extra help in staying warm, even if it’s not wet or windy outside.
Sick, injured or very thin? Blanketing these horses can help them conserve their energy and stay warm when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. Without an adequate fat layer beneath the skin, thin horses (with a body condition score of 3 or less) require extra help with warmth.
From a warmer climate? Typically, it will take a horse a few seasons to adjust to his new environment and begin to grow a full winter coat.
A show horse? Since show horses are clipped to make them look sleek and shiny, they will need help in staying warm with blankets to compensate for the lack of a natural winter coat. A turnout blanket will protect against the winter cold and also against sunburn in the summer.
Not able to access shelter in the wind or rain? They may need a winter blanket to help keep them warm in harsh conditions, but it can be removed when the weather improves.
Sweating? The first signs of sweat will be under the blanket and may spread along their neck and behind their ears. If your horse is sweating, he’s overheating and it’s time to remove the blanket or use a lighter one.

Sleet, Rain, Snow or Wind, Oh MY!

While your horse’s winter coat can usually protect them from freezing temperatures (down to 0 degrees F with no wind or rain), it’s a completely different story when the weather becomes windy or wet. Under these conditions, the horse’s long hair loses its natural insulating properties and your horse will quickly become cold because their body heat is no longer trapped against their body.

“Horses with very short hair may be the only horses that need to be

blanketed during winter weather. In fact, a blanket may not be the best thing for horses kept outside in winter, especially when it’s wet.

“The blanket actually pushes the hair down, compressing the air spaces and the hair isn’t able to insulate the way it’s intended.”

(Mark Russell, Assistant Professor, Equine Extension, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture)

A Few More Tips

Make sure the blanket is well-fitted without slipping that can cause your horse to spook and potentially injure himself.
If you regularly blanket your horse in the winter, his natural winter hair growth will decrease.
Provide plenty of forage (fiber-rich feds like quality hay and/or beet pulp) to help your horse produce his own heat naturally.
Horse blankets come in a range of varying weights depending on what fits your horse’s needs the best. Make sure all blankets are breathable and waterproof. (Learn more here: 6 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Horse Blanket.)

And finally, below is an informative and even humorous look (is the horse a wussy?) at whether your horse needs a blanket from the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University.

Graphic on Whether Your Horse Needs a Blanket in Winter

When in Doubt

If you’re not sure whether you should be blanketing your horse in the wintertime, reach out to your local vet and ask for advice based on their experience, your local climate and your horse’s overall health and condition. Your horse is depending on you to provide what he needs no matter the season!

Equine Grooming Is Critical for Blanketed Horses!

When horses are blanketed, it can be hard to detect grooming or skin issues including rub marks or sores. That’s why it’s so important to maintain a regular grooming routine even in the winter.

The 3-Piece Grooming Set makes grooming your horse easier, faster and more comfortable!

For individual or bulk orders, call 860-573-0604 or click here to send us an email.

Additional Reading:

Does Your Horse Really Need a Blanket?

Monday Myth: Horses Need Blankets in Winter

What to Consider When Blanketing Your Horse

When to Blanket a Horse

Should You Blanket Your Horse this Winter?

Image Credits:

Chanita Sykes from Pexels

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Bhakti Iyata from Pixabay

Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

Pexels from Pixabay

Product Image: Courtesy of EquiGroomer