Straping a horse?

[LeannePip]

just checking up on the sylabus' for the BHS exams and for stage two one of the sections it says:

3. Be able to strap a horse

3.1 Select and use equipment for grooming fit
horses

3.2 Use equipment to assist the development of
muscle tone

i've heard of this before and only ever encountered one person ever doing this when i was about 11 - from what i remember i walked onto the yard and saw a livery stood on a stall at her horses rump with what looked like a piece of rubber that looked like a ruler but wider and she was just smacking the horses rump with it - i thought it was odd and have never seen anyone or heard of anyone that does this?

so if i were taking my exam and this came up would would i do? what would be correct answers/examples of this question - i've worked with fit horses before coming from different back grounds ect and NEVER have i seen/heard anyone that still does it :S i thought it was quite an out dated exercise and never considered it to be a 'BHS' thing

 

[Foxhunter49]

Strapping is a dying art.

There are some videos done by the BHS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVJEC89NdwA

However, had anyone done it that way they would have failed!
You should have the strapping pad in the hand that is the same side you are working on (right hand right side) This woman does not change hands.
Also, it is more effective if you have a stable rubber in your other hand as this adds extra shine.

A strapping pad can be made from hay (a wisp)
http://www.proequinegrooms.com/index.php/tips/grooming/shine-like-crazy-wicked-shine/

Racing and some showing yards are about the only ones who strap horses nowadays.

 

[Kaylum]

When I was a stud groom I used to strap the horses, proves excellent muscle tone. It's something people should learn about.

You use a leather strapping pad and bang it on the muscles, the hunters used to love it.

It was part of our routine.

 

[andytiger]

I have always strapped my horse it's excellent for his muscles and it also makes his coat nice and shiny he loves it I have a leather strapping pad
If your going to start strapping build it up gradually and only ever do it when muscles are warm after exercise

 

[mrogers]

i strap mine. One is a riding horse with a weak neck and the other is a 3yr sec d who was cut in April. I strap to help shape the neck on the riding horse and keep the stallion like neck on the gelding.

Is you take the new bsps groom tests, you need to be able to strap for it

 

[roanrebel]

As I child I'd buy old horse books from car boots etc and they always used to saying about wisping and strapping - I've just dug the 1966 edition of Manual of Horsemanship out .

'Strapping' refers to a thorough, entire groom of the horse (as opposed to quartering where you fold back quarters of the rug for a brush off before exercise) which may be followed by wisping. "It is preferably done on return from exercise". A wisp was made from knotted hay. There is even a diagram of how to make on in the book!

 

[MrsMozartleto]

We called 'strapping' a full groom, as opposed to lifting either end of rug, which was 'quartering'.

We'd spend a good quarter of an hour or so using a body brush and metal curry comb - long sweeps of the body brush over the horse and then straight over the curry comb, bashing the edge of the curry comb against the sole of our boot to clean it.

Over the muscle groups, the body brush would be used hard, with almost a bang sound. Horses would lean into it and almost fall asleep. It was very rythmical. An excellent work out for us!

 

[Dry Rot]

I've tried the wisp of hay on one of mine and he won't put up with it! I wonder if it tickles?

Yes, something I learn at vet college in 1959....

Incidentally, it doesn't work unless it generates sweat...that's groom sweat, not horse sweat.

 

[Tnavas]

Strapping is the term used for a very thorough grooming - usually around 45 - 60mins every day.

This is followed by 'wisping or banging for a further 10 - 15 mins to stimulate circulation of the blood and muscle tone. A chiropractor once said to me that if people strapped their horses thoroughly then he'd be out of a job.

I used to have a leather pad with a handle. Each large muscle group was given 5 slap and slides - below is a photo of my 2yr old who was strapped daily.

 

[chestnut cob]

I strap my big horse sometimes, was recommended by the physio to help muscle development and tone. It really works! I do it quite a lot when he's hunting too, more as a muscle massage than anything else. I've lost my strapping pad though and not got around to buying a new one so haven't done it for a while

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Question: I'd like to, time permitting , strap my horses. However, they live out 24/7 as much of the year as possible. The horses I used to groom to that level were competition horses and they were pretty much in 24/7, apart from a couple of hours out a day.

If I start that sort of thorough grooming, is it going to ruin their natural defences against the rain, etc.?

 

[chestnut cob]

Question: I'd like to, time permitting , strap my horses. However, they live out 24/7 as much of the year as possible. The horses I used to groom to that level were competition horses and they were pretty much in 24/7, apart from a couple of hours out a day.

If I start that sort of thorough grooming, is it going to ruin their natural defences against the rain, etc.?

Personally I wouldn't bother if my horse was out 24/7, especially if unrugged. I'm not doing it ATM as it's so wet/rainy that I don't want to strip the natural oils out of his coat, and don't want to rug. I'll probably start again in the autumn once rugged, or once they're clipped.

 

[Tnavas]

Strapping correctly will remove a lot of the waterproof grease from the coat. If the horse lives out it will need a rug on that will protect it from the rain.

Generally strapping is only done on a 24/7 stabled horse.

 

[StormBlade]

Possibly a silly question, in the video it says that strapping is to be done after a horse has been exercised, does this mean it wouldn't be suitable for a horse on box rest who's lost a lot of muscle tone?

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Ta folks It's one of those so obvious answers

We strapped before and after exercise. The exercise warmed up the body and let the grease out easier. I'd say you could build up slowly, rather than diving into a full session straigt away, give the body chance to adjust.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Forgot to add: it's also knackering for the groom! Definitely needs building up It is a lovely feeling (and work out!) once you and the horse get into it

 

[Kaylum]

ours where hunters that were out during the day and in at night. Tnavas nice horse really really shows how beneficial strapping is.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Yes, sorry, I didn't say! Very nice horse T