Position the brush head where you want it, and either hold it down with your knee or have a helper stabilize the brush as you drive the screw. Beyond the racetrack, Miles is an accomplished author, having published various books about horses, and is a recognized authority in the field, with his work cited in multiple publications. None of my horses like being groomed with a stiff curry like this, but it’s perfect for a scratching post, or affixing to the side of barn, or along the top of a railing or stall door. Place your scratchy surfaces so your horse can itch her face: You can see the amount of hair in both the blue and purple jelly scrubbers – which now look chestnut-colored! They’re also popular as cleaning fabrics – chenille dusting mittens can be washed and repurposed in the stable.

Why Are Racehorses Scratched? Secrets At The Starting Gates? Why Are Racehorses Scratched? Secrets At The Starting Gates?

Once your horse learns your signal for “I’ll scratch if you want,” you can teach them to show you where and how hard they want their scratch session. The type of turf shown here can scratch itches on any part of the body including thin skinned areas, and won’t damage names and tails. If your horse leans over and begins to rub you with their teeth or lips, stop scratching and step back.It’s part of your horse’s self maintenance behaviors – things like grooming that they do to take care of their bodies.

Scratching Posts | Cat Claw Care | Pets at Home Scratching Posts | Cat Claw Care | Pets at Home

Fair Mare innovates and manufactures unique horse scratching post solutions, designed to promote equine happiness and well-being. So scratching is a natural behavior for horses, and it’s important for their physical and mental health. Try some of the links for the scratchy pads Jini tested – I’m not sure if she got them shipped to her home in Canada or her work in the US, but likely some of the companies mentioned above do ship here. Even if your horse does have scratchable objects, they may not be your first choice for self-grooming.Udders and sheaths do get very itchy and it is okay to scratch them (this helps your horse get used to handling these parts to provide care like cleaning or fly ointment). In the stall, use a clear patch of stall wall – the middle of a wall is easiest for your horse to access. When they realize how well it works and begin to use it consistently, you can move it to a different location away from the fence. The other thing will be to anchor that post super well, or put your scratching surface on an existing wall. To start the scratching session, approach your horse and make sure they notice your “scratching pose.