Cherry Hill - Horse Handling & Grooming: Haltering * Leading & Tying * Bathing & Clipping * Grooming & Braiding * Handling Hooves

HORSEKEEPING SKILLS LIBRARY

A STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO MASTERING OVER 100 HORSEKEEPING SKILLSCHERRY HILLPHOTOGRAPHY BY RICHARD KLIMESHThe mission of Storey Publishing is to serve our customers
by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence
in harmony with the environment. Edited by Elizabeth McHale Cover design by Eugenie Delany Text design by Cynthia McFarland Production by Therese Lenz and Allyson L. Hayes Line drawings designed by Cherry Hill and drawn by Elayne Sears Indexed by Susan Olason Copyright 1997 Cherry Hill All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages or reproduce illustrations in a review with appropriate credits; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwithout written permission from the publisher. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author or Storey Publishing.

The author and publisher disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information. For additional information please contact Storey Publishing, 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247. Storey books are available for special premium and promotional uses and for customized editions. For further information, please call 1-800-793-9396. Printed in the United States by Vicks Lithograph and Printing20 19 18 17 16 15 14 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Hill, Cherry, 1947 Horse handling and grooming : a step-by-step photographic guide to mastering over 100 horsekeeping skills / Cherry Hill : with photographs by Richard Klimesh. cm. (Horsekeeping skills) Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-88266-956-7 (pb : alk. paper)
1. paper)
1.

HorsesHandling. 2. HorseGrooming. 3. HorsesHandling Pictorial works. 4.

HorseGroomingPictorial works. I. Title. II. Series. SF285.6.H54 1997 636.10833dc20 96-30623
CIP

DEDICATION To Cindy Foley OTHER BOOKS BY CHERRY HILL101 Arena ExercisesHorsekeeping on a Small AcreageBecoming an Effective RiderYour Pony, Your HorseFrom the Center of the RingThe Formative YearsMaking Not BreakingMaximum Hoof PowerHorse for SaleHorse Health Care Special thanks to my husband and partner, Richard Klimesh, for his sense of humor and excellent help with the photographs.

Thanks to Sue DeGrazia for being a photo model. Also, thanks to my horses Zinger, Sassy, Zipper, Dickens, Blue, Aria, Seeker, and Drifter for their patience and cooperation as photo models. I also extend my gratitude to the following companies for supplying products used in this book: Ariat International, for safe and comfortable boots for our human models; BMB Animal Apparel, for attractive, safe halters, sheets, and blankets; Wahl Clipper Company, for Stable Pro and rechargeable clippers; Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Company for Vac N Blo horse vacuum; and Home Impressions for Groomex Vacuum.

We sometimes run into Murphys Law at our place when one of us is demonstrating how to do something for a student, photo, or video. We often laugh and say Watch me tie this knot before we begin a photo shoot or demonstration. Thats because once, many years ago, I was demonstrating for a horse-training class how to tie a bowline knot around a horses neck.

I had tied many a bowline knot before, but that day I wanted to use a technique I had recently seen (but not practiced) that I thought would make teaching the knot much easier. In order for the group to be able to see what I was doing, I had to position the horse differently from how I would if I were just tying the knot as a matter of course. Also, so I wouldnt block the students view, I had to stand off to the left, almost at the horses head, instead of at the horses shoulder. When I finished my demonstration of this ordinarily simple little knot, the result was definitely not a bowline. Trying to incorporate a new technique while standing in an unfamiliar position was not a good idea. Youve probably already figured out one moral of the story: Stick to tried-and-true methods. Youve probably already figured out one moral of the story: Stick to tried-and-true methods.

But I have other reasons for telling this anecdote. Each task or skill involved with horses should be approached as a formal lesson for both you and your horse. You will have much better results if you separate a task into its components and master each part, paying attention to every detail. When it comes to caring for and handling horses, there are many ways to do things. Usually there is one best way, several acceptable variations, and some wrong ways! Find the best way to perform each skill and practice it that way. Then, as you become familiar with a skill, you might want to vary the way you perform it according to your height, hand size, facilities, tack, equipment, and experience.

Once you have customized a skill to fit you and your horse, establish a consistent routine for performing it each time. Horses are creatures of habit, and they feel confident and content when their handlers behave consistently and predictably. Following a routine will also result in a greater chance for efficiency and effectiveness. Finally, if you keep an open mind and a sense of humor about what youre doing, youll find that everyday tasks will be enjoyable and rewarding by themselves. In fact, Im looking forward to giving Seeker a thorough grooming and touch-up clip before her lesson today. See you down at the barn!

Always use strong, well-made, and well-fitted equipment.

Although safety helmets are usually associated with riding, there are times when you are handling horses from the ground that it is a good idea to wear one. Protect your feet by wearing well-made, sturdy boots. Whenever possible wear gloves, especially when handling ropes. And always use safe horse-handling techniques. STURDY BOOTS Boots should have heels, good traction, and, if possible, an extra piece of leather sewn across the toe. SAFETY HELMET If you are inexperienced or you are working with a young or green horse, it would be to your benefit to wear a protective helmet.

Next page