How to get horse hair to grow back and Lunging tips/commands

[EJ87]

Hi everyone first of all I wondered does anyone have any tips on how to make the hair on my horses shoulders grow back? I bought her a new turn out rug about 3 months ago and it rubbed the hair off her shoulders so I purchased an anti rub vest which she wears every time with her new turn out but the hair has still not grown back!!! so annoying spending ages grooming her and taking her to a show with 2 big bald patches on her shoulders!!!

My other issue is lunging I tend not to lunge my mare as my instructor told me I only gain experience and respect from working with her in the saddle and being bucked,bolted etc and learning to control the situation. but sometimes my confidence and anti-break body needs a wee bit of a break so lunging her before i ride or when I cant ride to let off some steam sounds like a good idea. So iv tried it a couple of times and she was a nightmare running in full gallop, bucking, rearing there was no control what so ever from me apart from a pure panic version on whoooe and she stoped!! she has been lunged before by previous owners who said the bucking, snorting and flying round was normal but surely theres a more controllable way?? (N.B. iv also tried to free lunge her and had a near death experience of her charging and rearing at me, so il not be trying that again!!).

What is the commands for lunging? I dont use whips as shes terrified of them. I put the lunge line trough the bit ring over the head and into the other bit ring and as I unravel the line and walk back she makes a circle round me from then on its just a flying session. How do I make her go easy? Walk? trot? canter? and stop? she is quite responsive to my voice in the saddle and leading etc but when she flying round she hears and sees nothing!!

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

lunging is a very important part of working with your horse. Personally I disagree with your instructor on this part.

Use similar words to when you handle her on the ground, do you use Woah, stand or halt to make her stop, walk on, walking or get on for walk? Talk to her constantly- I like counting up to 10 softly as it keeps me in rhythm and gives them something to listen to.

Use the tone of your voice to encourage upwards or downwards transitions. e.g. waLK, trOT ON !! and stay calm!

I don't use a whip with my pony he hates it. keep it on the ground close to you, or hide it behind your back incase you need it!

 

[Auslander]

You can try Cornuscrescine to stimulate hair growth - it's a bit sticky, but does seem to work!

 

[Toffee44]

If its a control issue then long reining will get you better results. Use voice aids and you will have control to turn her etc. Without realising it you will be using pressure as well which will reeinforce your leg aids when you get on.

Her behaviour does sometimes sound reactive to something. Its very rare for a horse to charge someone, my gelding did, found he had kissing spines....have she been looked over, tack fitted?

What breed is she?

What are you feeding, is she just hyped up on feed, or is she naturally like that?

Has your instructor (persuming she is an affliated instructor) ridden her?


With regards to hair loss, camrosa does wonders or just try not to let the new rug rub its the right time of year for hair regrowth.

 

[Brimmers]

think about when you said "woah" and she responded. what did you change to get that response?
you probably dropped your voice and lengthened the word like "woooooo-ahhhhhh"
also, think about your body language. did you change anything? walking towards her purposefully would encourage her to keep running, but standing still and acting very calm will hopefully help her relax and listen to you.
so yeah, just try and repeat what worked the first time =)

 

[EJ87]

If its a control issue then long reining will get you better results. Use voice aids and you will have control to turn her etc. Without realising it you will be using pressure as well which will reeinforce your leg aids when you get on.

Her behaviour does sometimes sound reactive to something. Its very rare for a horse to charge someone, my gelding did, found he had kissing spines....have she been looked over, tack fitted?

What breed is she?

What are you feeding, is she just hyped up on feed, or is she naturally like that?

Has your instructor (persuming she is an affliated instructor) ridden her?


With regards to hair loss, camrosa does wonders or just try not to let the new rug rub its the right time of year for hair regrowth.

Yeah I think she was reacting to the fact I was trying to get her free lunge and she dodnt understand what I was doing and didnt take to kindly to being chased so she reacted in the only was she knew fight! I admit my fault and I only blame myself for her reactions.

She is feed purely forage and haylage no hard feed apart from a handful of 10% after a good work out as a treat. She is an irish bay and would tend to be on the hyper side natually and to the extreme hyper end when in season and shes a mare which rounds her up pretty well. My instructor has ridden her and believes she is more biddable in the saddle than on the ground and she would not intentionally hurt me even when I fall off she stands over me and sniffs my head!!!

 

[Spyda]

Re: the hair regrowth, I wouldn't worry too much at this stage about treating the baldy patches with anything. Cornucrescine is good - but vile to use, really sticky and it'll get on everything! Her summer coat will be coming through shortly so new hair will be coming in anyway. Just make sure whatever rug she's wearing fits better around the shoulders from now on and/or look to invest in something like a Bossy's Bib to protect her from now on so the new hair can grow back in without being rubbed off again. Bossy's Bibs website is here http://www.bossysbibs.com/index.html. You can get cheaper versions but I think most people rekon these are the best, if you can afford them. EBay's also a good place to look for second hand ones

 

[Enfys]

If you want to use something, and can get it in the UK, MTG seems to help (it does smell like bacon though )

http://shapleys.com/products_view.aspx?articleid=17

Original M-T-G has been providing quick and effective relief from numerous skin ailments since 1938! Originally formulated for humans, this safe and easy to use product is the only one needed for relief from a variety of bacterial and fungal skin problems, such as : • Rain Rot • Scratches • Girth Itch • Sweet Itch • Dry Skin • Tail/Mane Rubbing Original M-T-G provides results after just one application! Formulated to eliminate the causative agent creating the skin problem, it conditions the skin and hair around the damaged area, promoting both healthy skin and maximum hair growth. In fact, Original M-T-G has proven to work exceptionally well promoting hair growth. Users report up to 3 inches of new growth on manes and tails in a single month. Original M-T-G creates a healthy environment for the hair follicle, resulting in maximum growth while keeping the length of the hair shaft soft and pliable for minimum breakage. Original M-T-G is a time-tested, user-supported solution to both skin healing and hair growth in a single bottle. An oil-based product that does not require washing or water for application, it is not only easy to use, but great for cold weather. Original M-T-G is also safe and effective on dogs and other animals’ skin problems, such as hot spots, itching and dry skin. Original M-T-G is available in 32 oz. and 6 oz. bottles. Suggested Retail Price: 32 oz.$20.95, 6 oz. $7.95

As for lunging, my methods would probably be frowned upon, so I'll bow out of that subject. (Let's just say that if a horse wants to canter, then canter it will, and it won't stop until I want it to, then, when it is ready to listen, we'll start again, politely)