The horse has lived and worked side by side with humans almost since the Stone Age. Therefore, it is difficult to imagine human civilization without this beautiful animal. Until relatively recently, just a couple of centuries ago, strong and unpretentious heavyweight horses pulled peasant plows across the fields, and their long-legged aristocratic counterparts carried counts, princes and kings on their thin, but no less strong backs.
A horse is not just a friend for a person. This is an integral part of human history and culture, the genetic memory of many generations. Many good books have been written about horses, they have been depicted in a huge number of brilliant paintings and in an equally huge number of magnificent films. The mane is one of the most striking and beautiful parts of a horse. Let's find out in more detail why it is needed?
Animal hair
In principle, the hair of any animal, be it a domestic cat or a grizzly bear, in the wild performs one single function - protective. But man, having domesticated many species of living creatures, brought his own adjustments to this fact: domestic animals are cut and combed in accordance with their owners’ ideas of beauty and elegance. This is how a new – aesthetic – function of the hair of cats, dogs and, of course, horses appeared.
In films and television shows, at competitions and exhibitions, horses sport long curls or perky ponytails and braids. But what does the mane of real wild horses look like? Alas, it is not nearly as elegant as that of animals - actors and athletes, or the pet horse of some oligarch-horse breeder Vasily Pupkin. In the wild, without proper care, the mane of these graceful, elegant animals falls into ugly tangles and hangs around the neck in dirty, uneven tufts.
So, what functions does a horse's mane perform?
Soviet heavy truck
Soviet heavy trucks are large and massive horses, capable of easily moving multi-ton loads. The breed was bred during Soviet times on the basis of Belgian Brabançons. The goal of the breeders was to create a powerful and hardy breed. The breed was officially approved in 1952. The horses weigh about a ton.
- Height – up to 170 cm.
- Suit. Red, red-roan, bay, bay-roan.
- Exterior. The head is medium, proportionally folded. The ears are straight, less often drooping. Massive and wide chest. The neck is powerful and muscular. Wide and level lumbar part, the croup is forked, slightly sagging. The legs are strong and muscular. A lush mane and an equally lush tail.
- Usage. Walks under saddle. Agricultural work, cargo transportation. Participation in competitions. In terms of traction qualities they can replace a tractor. They move loads that are too heavy for other breeds of horses. Ideal for large agricultural production and farms.
The breed is characterized by rapid growth and early maturity. At 2.5 years old, the horse can be used for heavy work. Unpretentious to feed. They have the ability to reproduce for a long time - mares can have foals even after 20 years.
Protection
As mentioned above, the hair of all living beings primarily performs a protective function. That is, it protects the animal’s skin from cold and heat, from precipitation, parasites and insects, and also reduces the risk of mechanical damage.
And the horse's mane is no exception here. A horse can easily drive flies or horseflies away from its neck or back by just waving its head. By the way, the tail of these animals performs the same function, only on the other side. Protects the rear, so to speak.
Arabic
This is one of the most ancient breeds, which became the basis for many modern animals. Due to their excellent decorative qualities, horses often participate in beauty parades. In addition, they listen well to the rider and willingly work with him in pairs.
Arabian horses are characterized by an elongated body, small head and short ears. The animals are also distinguished by their high-set tail and weak muscles.
beauty
The aesthetic function of the horse's mane developed historically in the process of integration of the horse into human history and culture. The mane of domestic horses is regularly washed, combed, trimmed and styled according to the owner's fashion and preferences. Long curls or a perky short hairstyle, and sometimes even pigtails or ponytails, give the modern domestic horse the style and charm necessary for his position. Maintaining a horse's mane in proper order is not a very difficult task, but it is quite troublesome and requires the daily work of the person caring for it.
Karachay breed
The North Caucasus is considered the homeland of horses of this breed. Animals are able to overcome any distance, moving along mountain paths. At the same time, they are distinguished by a high degree of endurance.
Expert opinion
Zarechny Maxim Valerievich
Agronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best country expert.
Ask a Question
Karachay horses are predominantly distinguished by dark colors. A characteristic feature is the hump on the nose. Karachay horses are distinguished by good health. They are also characterized by balanced coordination of movements and a light step.
How to care for a horse's mane
A horse's mane must be constantly protected from the negative effects of nature, from the encroachments of other horses, and even from the negligence of the owner of the mane himself, that is, the horse.
The first thing to do to keep your horse's mane healthy is to wash it with a special shampoo and conditioner . Washing cleans the horse's hair of everything that can get tangled in it (sand, sawdust, dust, various small debris), and the skin under the mane of harmful bacteria that can cause itching, fungus and other skin diseases. Of course, every horse is different, but most require a thorough mane wash about once every two weeks. Less fortunate riders have to repeat the procedure weekly, but for those who are more fortunate, one wash per month is enough.
Next, every day the horse’s mane needs to be brushed with a special brush. The ideal comb for a horse's mane should have large teeth with rounded ends and a considerable distance between them, so as not to damage the horse's hair and skin during combing.
To protect against accidental mechanical damage, a horse's mane is often braided. A rider who decides to give his horse such a hairstyle must remember that the braids must be checked daily and braided at least once a week.
For horses that eagerly gnaw at their fellows for their fashionably combed neck, pet stores sell special sprays based on natural ingredients, for example, cayenne pepper.
And in order for the styling to hold better and the hair not to fall off or become electrified, experienced riders use specialized mane blankets, called tamers, or... the most common hair styling gel.
How to build a chicken pen with your own hands
When building a pen, the following factors are taken into account:
- Number and age of young animals.
- Material used.
- Safety of chicks.
- Livestock breed, since each variety has its own size and development rate. For example, meat chickens grow faster than egg chickens. At the same time, they are less active and somewhat slow.
When building a run, you need to take into account the number of chickens.
When building a pen, you need to choose durable materials that are resistant to physical impact. This will protect the chickens from predators entering the enclosure. It is also necessary to take into account that there are no protruding nails or sharp parts, as they are dangerous for the chicks.
What you will need for construction:
- 8 wooden boards (4 x 1500 mm, 4 x 1000 mm).
- 4 bars 20 mm thick.
- Screws or self-tapping screws.
- Mesh or durable textiles.
- Slate sheet (this will serve as a roof).
- Hammer and nails (they can be replaced with a construction stapler).
Instructions for building a pen:
- Using self-tapping screws, fasten the boards together. This creates a box that acts as a frame. The bars set the height of the pen.
- Make a board fence on the north side to protect the chicks from drafts and wind.
- Cover the pen on the sunny side with netting. To prevent the fabric or mesh from sagging, stuff it onto a frame of wooden slats.
- The roof of the enclosure is made of mesh and slate sheets. The slate will protect the chicks in bad weather, and the mesh will create a “lace shadow” in sunny weather. Slate is also suitable for making gates.
The frame of the enclosure is made of a block, and the top is covered with fabric or mesh.
You can also set up a mobile enclosure - it can be moved from place to place. The area is calculated as follows: for 30 individuals – 1 m2. Cover the frame with a mesh with 15 x 15 mm cells. In addition, it is necessary to provide a folding door to make it convenient to give food to the birds and change the water in the drinking bowl.
Tips for arranging an enclosure or paddock
When setting up a pen or enclosure for chickens, follow the rules:
It is important that the pen or enclosure for chickens is placed in an area protected from drafts. Otherwise, the chicks may get sick
Watch the kids: if they huddle together and squeak loudly, it means they are cold. Excess sun is harmful to young animals as well as excessive cold, so you need to shade part of the area with a piece of plywood or slate. In hot weather, kids can hide in the shade. You should not release fledgling chicks into the rain and wind, as the chicks will quickly get wet and catch a cold. Under no circumstances leave the enclosure open, even in favorable weather. Birds of prey will instantly notice your mistake and peck the chickens. Such cunning predators as magpies can wait for several days, lying in wait for the moment when the babies are left unattended in an open room.
As you can see, walking chickens in the fresh air is an objective necessity. And you need to take care of the convenience and safety of the birds in advance. A comfortable pen or enclosure will help you keep your livestock strong and healthy.
In the video you can see chickens walking outside in a fenced enclosure.
Kyrgyz
The ancestors of modern representatives of the Kyrgyz breed appeared 4 thousand years ago. Thanks to evolution and selection achievements, horses have become hardy and have learned to independently find food on scarce pastures. Animals are capable of reaching 1.37 meters. Moreover, among them there are many pacers.
Kyrgyz horses are often used as riding and pack animals. They have strong hooves. Therefore, animals do not need to be shoed.
Tinker
This Irish breed has been developed over several centuries. Its representatives are distinguished by medium height, a hook-nosed profile and a small beard. Animals are also characterized by thick and long hair in the tail and mane.
The horses have very unusual colors. Thus, there are roan, piebald, black, and forelock animals. Regardless of color, horses' bodies are covered with white spots.
Kladrubskaya
This is an old breed of draft horse that is of Czech origin. The breed has been known since the second half of the sixteenth century. The animals are considered very tall - they reach 1.8 meters. Representatives of this breed are characterized by a powerful body and a hump on the muzzle. Among the suits, black and white are often found.
A characteristic feature of Kladrub horses is considered to be a high degree of endurance. They are able to walk together in sleds. At the same time, animals remain very demanding in terms of living conditions.
