15 Tips

The 15-Minute Groomer If you're a weekend rider, you're probably in a time crunch.
Hose your horse down.		Then spray with Equine-Shine and brush through to keep the dust off.
1. When you wash your horse with our Equine Horse Shampoo, save time by throwing your brushes into the bucket with the shampoo and let them soak for a few minutes.	2. You can toss your dirty cinches into the bucket, too. It will clean them gently and help get rid of harmful bacteria.	3. Equine Shampoo is also an excellent spot cleaner when you don't have time to wash your whole horse.

Undo your horse's tangled mane. Then wash it to bring out the natural beauty.
	Step 1. Make a detangling spray by diluting Tail & Mane Conditioner with water and work it in with your hands.	Step 2. Find a section that has become entwined. Usually two sections twist and roll inward to form a spiral. Once you find the pattern untangle it.
Step 3. Start fingering through the mane. Take your time and work out any twists, knots and tangles. Spray Equine-Shine to detangle stubborn knots and tangles.	Step 4. Work with a brush and when you feel resistance, stop. It might be a burr or other plant material that needs to be removed.	Step 5. Brush the mane several times, then use a comb. Wash with Equine Shampoo and Tail & Mane Conditioner. The mane will be less likely to hold knots and burrs.
Rio Vista Product Tips
1. When pulling the mane, dilute Cool-Blue Horse Liniment in water and place at the base of the mane. Tugging is less painful.	2. When you brush through the mane, spray a little Equine-Shine Show Coat Polish. It makes the mane more manageable. 3. Clean your horse's mane with Equine Horse Shampoo. It helps prevent rain rot and fungus.	4. Follow shampooing with Tail & Mane Conditioner. It untangles and conditions difficult mane hair and prevents it from becoming dry and brittle. Once you've washed the mane try braiding.

The fine art of braiding the mane.
To braid the mane for Dressage, follow these directions.
1. Start with a three-strand braid, wrapping right over center. 2. Continue by crossing left over center.	3. Continue to ends of hair. 4. To secure the end of the braid, place folded string behind the braid.	5. Wrap the string around the braid and through the loop at the fold in string. 6. Lace the string through the top of the braid and fold the braid in half.	7. Separate the ends of the string that you pulled through the top of the braid. 8. Encircle the top of the braid with thread.	9. Secure with a square knot. 10. Spray withEquine-Shine to hold the braid
To learn how to prepare the mane for braiding, click here. To learn about mane styles for different horse breeds, click here.

Give your horse a solid foundation. Inspect his hooves frequently.
	There's an old cowboy saying "no hooves, no horse." If old paint doesn't have a solid foundation you'll be the one who walks the trail. To make sure your horse's hooves are healthy, pick up his feet regularly and inspect them. If your horse has been standing in mud or water it can lead to cracked hooves.
Check for loose clinches. that's the firs sign of a shoe about to pull. Call your farrier to reset the nail. Watch for hairline cracks.If they spread up to the coronet band, they can seriously compromise the hoof's integrity. Get rid of unsightly slough around the coronet band. It's a sign of dryness. Apply our Hoof Care Manicure and massage into the hairline.	Many horse owners have also discovered a secondary benefit ofHoof Manicure. It strengthens and promotes growth of your nails and softens rough spots anywhere on your body. It also helps relieve itching and has a great fragrance. So keep one in the house. For more information click here.

There's a correct mane style for
every horse breed and discipline.

There's a correct mane style for every horse breed and discipline.
Arabian	Dressage		Hunter
			Before you braid untangle and clean the mane. Click here for hints on untangling the mane. To learn how to braid click here.
Saddlebred	Western
The mane is your horse's crowning glory, much like a beautiful woman's hair. It can make your horse's neck look longer and more graceful. It can even fool the judge's eye, making the horse with less than perfect conformation look better. In Western Pleasure or Halter Class, it can win you points. But no amount of skill can help if your horse's mane isn't perfectly clean and conditioned.

A few equestrian secrets.
Our Equine Shampoo gives your hair bounce and fullness. It's gentle and made with natural ingredients. Rio Vista Tail & Mane Conditioner gives your hair full rich body. It strengthens and protects against the natural elements. (As a matter of fact, we've heard that many beauty contestants use it to give their hair that extra special shine.)	Rio Vista Hoof Manicure,manicures more than your horse's hooves. If you've been using Hoof Manicure on your horse, you know what a great job it does on his hooves. What you may not know is what so many other horse owners have discovered. The conditioners in Hoof Manicure strengthen nails, smooth rough elbows, make your feet as soft as a baby's bottom. The problem is, when you want to give yourself a beauty treatment, that Hoof Manicure will be down at the barn. The solution? Buy two containers.

Cribbing Problems

Dear Dr. Pankau,
How can I keep my pony from cribbing on the wood fence? I have tried bitter apples, she likes it. I am a new 4-H member and love my pony very much. Thank you very much for your time and I hope you can help me.
Muriah Musser, 12 years old

Muriah,
Cribbing is considered a vice and can threaten your horse's health. There are several things you might try to minimize or eliminate cribbing.
1. Move your pony to a large pasture or pen.
2. Put your pony in with another horse in a large pasture or pen (keeps him company)
3. Exercise your pony more so he is less bored.
4. Apply creosote or similar products to the fence if available in your state.
5. Replace wood fencing with pipe fencing
6. String new wire above the fence boards to prevent access.
7. String a hot wire (electric) over the fence area in question.
Hope this helps and good luck.

Shoulder Lameness

Dear Dr. Pankau,
My horse pulled something in his shoulder area and I wanted to know what would be good for me to put on it even though there is no swelling.

Unknown
Dear Unknown,
Shoulder lameness looks almost identical to hoof lameness visually. If I do not see any swelling, I examine the foot thoroughly for any problems. Once the foot problem is corrected, you will see the "shoulder lameness" disappear. However, if it truly is a shoulder lameness (have your vet check this out) then I might try the following.
1. Complete rest or confinement for 30 days
2. Anti-inflammatory orally for 10 days (Butazolidin)
3. Have a chiropractor look at him and possibly adjust him
4. Do some stretching exercises on his shoulder and neck (use a carrot)

Mane Rubbing

Dear Dr. Pankau,
I was hoping you could answer a question I have about my horse's mane. Both his mane and tail have always been very long and full, but just this year, his mane has gotten thin and very short. His tail is the same as ever. I have seen him rubbing his neck against trees in pasture before, and I think he might have rubbed it all off. What is the cause of this, and how can I get his mane to grow back?
Thank You,
Anna Rahn

Anna,
It sounds like your horse has a hypersensitivity reaction to biting insects. You need to keep him from itching and then the mane will grow back. This will take some time. As you approach the winter it will not be so much a problem for you. I would do the following:
1. Bathe him with oatmeal based shampoo.
2. Use some of the Freedom fly repellent on him weekly. You may have to spray him as well.
3. Keep him off pasture at night (this is when the mosquitoes...feed) - stall at night.
4. Clean up the manure
5. If this does not help then I would consult your vet about giving him a Vetalog injection (steroid) to cut down the horse's reaction to biting insects.
6. Make sure the areas that he has rubbed are kept clean and you apply some sort of soothing lotion to keep the flies off.

Horse Cataracts

Dear Dr. Pankau,
Good Morning. Is there a nutrition supplement that will reduce the progression of cataracts in my 7-yr old pony? They are very small and do not interfere with vision at this point.
Robin,
There are many causes of cataracts in horses. Some are congenital, some are inherited, some are traumatic, some are associated with uveitis (moon blindness). Treatment would depend on the cause (surgical or medical management) but In general I would suggest that you try some aspirin daily in the feed (30-60 grams) to help reduce any inflammation in the eye. Keep your pony on a good worming program that would include the use of an ivermectin wormer. This class of wormer will kill a worm called Onchocerca which has been implicated in moon blindness which can lead to cataracts. There are some neutriceuticals (feeds or feed additives like arabinogalactins) that claim to have anti-inflammatory properties as well.
I hope this helps.

Make travel easier on your horse and you. Follow these tips and the two of you will arrive in better shape.
	1. Train your horse to load in the trailer before the morning of the big event. 2. Bring along water and feed that your horse is accustomed to. 3. Wash your horse with Equine Shampoo before you leave. It helps reduce bacteria growth and defends against local fungi. 4. Travel can upset your horse's digestive system, and lead to colic.EZ-Travel horse supplements, with its natural ingredients, helps calm your horse for the ride. 5. Travel can debilitate your horse physically. EnerGPlus horse vitaminsgive him the extra boost to make a difference. This feed supplement has easily assimilated vegetable oil, microbials, Vitamin E and electrolytes to get him performing his best.
When the event is over, your horse's legs can be sore and achy. ApplyCool-Blue Horse Liniment. You can apply it under the horse's leg wraps, to alleviate aches and stiffness. Then it's a comfortable ride home for you and your horse.

If you have a mare, she could have Yellow Tail.
	Wet down your mare's tail.	Work in Hi-Ho Silver Shampoo with a sponge or your hands.
Sooner or later, every mare gets unsightly urine stains on her tail. Fortunately, now you can do something about it, no matter what color your horse might be. Just follow our four easy steps. And next time your mare turns up with Yellow Tail, just say, "Hi-Ho Silver, Away-y-y!" Other Tips 1. Use Hi-Ho Silver to touch up your horse's white socks between washings. 2. If you have a Pinto, Appaloosa or American Paint use Hi-Ho Silver to make whites whiter and all colors brighter.  3. Hi-Ho Silver can bring out the sparkle in your horse's star, blaze or snip. To use it, pour a little on a damp sponge and wipe the area on your horse you wish to touch-up. Leave it in for five minutes, then rinse.
	Rinse and dry with a towel.	Spray Equine-Shine to defend against Yellow Tail between washings

Here's help for hives and skin irritations
	Herb 'N Oats Horse Shampoo  It's no fun watching your horse desperately trying to scratch himself in the dirt or on the nearest fencepost. If he has sensitive skin or suffers from hives or dermatitis, wash him withHerb 'N Oats Shampoo. The moisturizers and botanicals in it will help make the itching and dryness disappear.
	Coat-So-Soft Between washings spray your horse with Coat-So-Soft. It will help condition his coat and skin. And help soothe the itching caused by dermatitis. It has a pleasant scent you'll like and a soothing property your horse will love.