Although horse care has experienced a lot of advancement, the simplicity of horse care previously is believed to have been better. Here are 5 examples why:
Then: If the horse is too thin, give it more food.
Now: If the horse is too thin, Change from current set of six supplements to another set of six supplements, selected from the 420 available in your local feed merchant. Expect instant results. When you don’t get them, change to a different brand and start again.
Then: Horse off color? Consult with the vet.
Now: Change from current set of six supplements to another set of six supplements, selected from the 420 available in your local feed merchant. Expect instant results. When you don’t get them, change to a different brand and start again.
Then: Need a new bridle? Go to saddlers. Spend ten minutes deciding between black and Havana. Buy bridle.
Now: Need a new bridle? Spend three hours researching different types of noseband, comfort headpieces and buckles vs. stud billets. Investigate new pressure-relieving design from Belgium. Wonder if getting the same bridle as John Whitaker would improve your showjumping. Decide between 40 different colors and types of leather.
Then: Horse needs shoeing? Get horse shod.
Now: Horse needs shoeing? Wonder if this is the right moment to consider going barefoot. Spend hours on internet forums. Have anxious discussions with the farrier. Go back to forums. Have shoes taken off? Spend six months of conditioning feet on different surfaces. Also spend hundreds of pounds on hoof boots, feed supplements, and hoof hardening potions.
Then: Want to improve your riding? Book some lessons.
Now: Want to improve your riding? Type ‘problems with leg-yielding’ into YouTube and get approximately 30,000 hits. Decide your lower leg is too far back/forwards/out to the side, possibly all at once.
What do you think? Were there better methods before or now? Let us know.
