Anyone involved with horses knows that riding is a very small part of the larger horse experience. Groom, maid, waiter, servant, and nurse are among the hats we wear while caring for a horse. The sheer amount of ?stuff? one must collect in order to care for horses is astounding, from shampoos and conditioners, hoof paints, leather cleaners, grooming supplies, supplements, bottles, and tack- there is no end to the amount of paraphernalia that goes along with one horse!

Although your local tack store may be a valuable source for a variety of the things you and your horse need, sometimes a little ingenuity can save you time, money and solve some of the more common horse-related problems. Next time you need to tend to your horse, try one of these time-tested home-remedies instead of reaching for that expensive bottle- you might just find these work better!

1. Vinegar- Tired of that yellow, urine soaked tail on your pretty white horse? With stubborn stains, all the expensive bluing shampoo in the world might not get out that yellow (but it may give it a nice purple hue!). To help whiten tails, soak the tail in plain, white vinegar for 5 minutes, before washing and conditioning normally. Those bubbles you see are cutting through the urine and stains, getting down to the nice white root. Vinegar is safe for the hair, and actually can contribute to a shinier, healthier tail! Used weekly, vinegar can help to prevent urine from becoming too ingrained on the tail.

In horses prone to developing enteroliths (stones) in their intestines, a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar mixed in the food once to twice a day can help to reduce the pH level in the gut, and inhibit stone formation. Most horses tolerate the taste of vinegar in their food very well.

Finally, vinegar is a naturally insect repellant. Adding vinegar to the food, or even diluted and sprayed directly on the horse, can act as an excellent, chemical free fly repellant.

2. WD-40- The amazing rust-buster has a plethora of barn-related uses- but here's one that you have to try to believe! Sprayed into the tail or mane, WD-40 is a fantastic detangler, and works even better (and is much cheaper) than most commercially available products. A small amount sprayed directly into matted areas can make brushing through the tangles a breeze. Take care using WD-40 (or any detangler, for that matter) right before riding- if you get it on your hands, your may find your reins slipping out of your hands!

3. Clorox Bleach- Thrush is one of the most persistent hoof related problems known to horse owners. Many products exist on the market to combat thrush, most of them quite pricey! Old-time horsemen and farriers will tell a different tale when recommending a good thrush product- bleach! Poured into a spray bottle, spraying a thin coat of bleach to a clean, picked hoof once daily for several days will help to quickly eradicate thrush. Weekly re-application will help to prevent further problems. Take care to avoid getting the bleach on you or your horses skin, as it will sting and burn.

4. Sugar- There are a variety of salves, creams and sprays that are available to combat wounds, and every person has their own favorite product. For stubborn, infected wounds, plain white sugar applied on the wound can help to combat infection, and stimulate healing. The sugar changes the pH of the wound, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria, and helping to clear out necrotic flesh and promote healing in wounds.

5. Diapers- Hoof abscesses are a frustrating problem that often requires days and weeks careful treatment, as well as bandaging to keep the foot clean as it heals. Instead of spending hundreds on bandage material like vet wrap and elastikon, tape a child's diaper to the underside of the foot-using duct tape. The diaper will keep poultices and medications in place, last longer than regular bandage material, and the extra padding it provides will help the foot be more comfortable as it heals.

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