All equine lovers know that maintaining healthy, happy horses and mules is not an easy task. It not only requires a lot of horseshoes and shampoo, but a lot of love! Here are a few quick horse hygiene facts that you may not know about Palmetto Carriage Works.
Currently, we have 32 horses and 10 mules on our team. That means 168 feet to maintain. Our farrier comes by three times a week asses our animals’ shoes. We use rubber or elastomer shoes, boots or pads to prevent slipping on the pavement, brick or concrete.
Have you ever heard of floating?
No, not down the Edisto River. We mean floating for horse’s teeth! A float is a tool that is used to file a horse’s teeth. Therefore, floating is filing a horse’s teeth in order to keep them relatively smooth and even, which is ideal for eating and grazing. Fun fact: did you know that vets can check a horse’s teeth to estimate their age, too?
How often do we bathe our horses?
Well, it depends on the season. Summers in Charleston can be hot and humid, so our horses get baths nearly every day they work! This helps keep them cool, fresh and ready for the next day! We don’t have to bathe manes as much, but we keep the suds flowing at the barn!
Did you know that a 1,000-pound horse can produce about 50 pounds of manure and urine per day?
As you can imagine, we are constantly cleaning our barn, its stalls, water troughs, tack rooms and feed bags to keep our animals as healthy as possible.
Want to take a look for yourself? Come by Guinard St. in Downtown Charleston and look for the big red barn! We’re open every day and love visitors! You can also book a Charleston carriage tour.