第七章 马术比赛(QXW翻译)——4
Preparing Your Horse
If you plan to showy, begin preparing your horse three or four months ahead of the of the show season, even if you have no idea which shows you will enter. He will need an ample, nutritious grain ration with vitamin mineral supplement, and good-quality hay or alfalfa. Salt and water should be readily available. Parasite control is very important: All the good food in the world won’t help your horse’s physical appearance or mental outlook if parasites are infesting him. Take a sample of feces to your veterinarian for a report on the parasites that are present. The vet may suggest worming with a stomach tube, followed up later by diet worming.
Several weeks before the show try out the fly repellent you expect to use at the show. Some repellents may irritate your horse’s skin. We know of one case where the horse was so affected by the repellent that he had to be scratched from the entire show.
Your horse will need thorough daily grooming. Call the farrier and have your horse shod about ten days to two week before the show so that he will have time to adjust to his shoes. It his feet are dry, apply a hoof dressing to help condition them. Clip the hair from the coronary band to above his fetlocks; trim about his throatlatch; trim off his face whiskers; clip the bridle path if the breed calls for it, and trim around his ears. It is up to the owner whether or not he clips the inside of his horse’s ears. If your horse will not be subject to insect-nuisance, clipping the inside of the ear will not bother him; but it is thoughtless to clip inside the ears and leave him to the mercy of mosquitoes, flies, or gnats. It is true that most professionals thoroughly clip their horse’s ears. If you feel it is necessary, you can buy a scrim ear net at most tack shops to protect him. If your horse has never been away from home before, you have no idea how he will react to different water. Get him used to drinking from a pail at home, add a few drops of molasses or mint extract, and be sure to take the same nail (and molasses or mint) with you. See Chapter V111 for more about your horse away from home.
Preparation of Equipment, Attire, and Tack
A trunk or tack box that you can transport to the show is necessary and convenient for most exhibitors. In this you will collect such things as your show grooming tools, clippers, nails, screws, snaps, hammer, cloths, extra halters, ropes, saddle soap, leather conditioners, animal shampoo and coat dressing, scissors, saddle blandest, sheets, chaps, spurs, Vaseline or other medical supplies, extra pieces of leather for repairs, some twine, wire cutters, leg and tail wraps, tope for saddle, longe line, slicker, second cinches, extra show brow bands, bridles, show halters, and whips (if tack box is large enough), as well as extra parts for saddle and bridle.
After collecting everything, print a list of the items and attach it to the lid of the tack box this will help you avoid forgetting things either before or after the show and will serve as a check list for forthcoming shows. Undoubtedly you will change the list from time to time. It is wise to print your name on most items with indelible ink. You may purchase and use a leather-burning outfit to mark your tack. For maximum protection, register branded tack and other valuables with your local sheriff’s department.
Of course, your tack box will contain only the smaller items. Let’s now think of the larger miscellaneous equipment you’ll need: pitchfork, rake, shovel, buckets, grain pans, stall sign, and folding chairs. At most shows there will be a bale of straw in each stall and you can purchase hay and grain. However, if you wish to take your own, be sure to add it to your list. Don't forget -font saddles and bridles! Most of the above items will be packed the
day before you leave for the show; but as the last day is hectic, to say the least, make your list early and check off items as you pack them in.
准备你的马
如果你打算参赛,即使你不知道要参加什么样的比赛,最好在比赛前三或四个月就开始准备。
它需要轮换吃充足的富于营养的谷物饲料,并添加维生素和矿物质,以及质量好的干草及苜蓿。要随时供给盐和水。控制寄生虫也很重要。如果被寄生虫侵袭,世界上再好的饲料对于你的马的身体外观和精神状况都帮不了忙。把马粪样品给兽医看看,做现存寄生虫的报告。兽医可能会建议用胃管做一次杀虫,随后在饲料中加入杀虫药。
赛前及几周试以下比赛中你要使用的驱蚊剂。有些驱蚊剂可能导致你的马匹皮肤搔痒。我们知道有这样一个案例,一匹马的皮肤实在痒得厉害,整个比赛都得给它挠痒。
你的马需要每天的彻底梳理。打电话叫钉马掌师在比赛前十天或两星期前钉马掌,以便马有时间适应新马掌。如果它的蹄干燥,可以敷一些蹄膏来缓解。剃去马踝上的毛,修剪马脖子下的毛,剃去马面部的长须,剪短马笼头经过部分的毛(如果这种马的比赛要求的话),耳朵附近的毛也要修剪整齐。马主自己决定是不是要剪短马耳朵里面的毛。如果你的马不受昆虫的骚扰,剪短耳朵里面的毛不会引起马的不舒服,但如果剪短马耳朵里面的毛任蚊子苍蝇肆虐,那就有欠思量了。的确很多专业人士仔细修剪马耳朵里面的毛。如果你觉得必要,你可以多数马具店里买一副麻制耳罩来保护你的马。
如果你的马从未离开过家,你不知道它对不同的饮水反应如何。让它在家里就习惯于从水桶饮水,加几滴糖浆或薄荷,并记住带上同一个水桶(还有糖浆或薄荷)。参见第八章有关马在家外面的讲述。
准备器械、服饰和马具
对多数参赛者来讲,一个能够搬到赛场的装马具的大箱子很有必要,也很方便。箱子里面你可以放诸如此类的东西,如梳理马匹的工具、理发推子、钉子、螺丝、按扣、锤子、布头,备用的笼头、绳子、洗马鞍用的肥皂、皮革调理剂、动物用的洗发香波和毛皮调理剂、剪刀、马鞍毯、布单、恰卜斯、马刺,凡士林或其它医疗用品,备用的用以修补的皮革、一些麻绳、剪绳的剪子、裹马蹄和尾巴的布,马鞍用的绳子、长线、风雨衣、第二付肚带,备用的额革、比赛用马笼头、马鞭(如果马具箱子够大的话),以及马鞍和马笼头的配件。
所有的东西齐备后,打印一份物件清单贴在马具箱的盖子上,者有助于你避免赛前或赛后忘掉东西,也可作为将要举行的马术比赛的检查清单。无疑你会时时更新这份单子。在多数物件上用擦不掉的墨水写下你的名字是个聪明的做法。你可以购买皮革刻蚀器材来在你的马具上做记号。最大限度的保护是去本地警察局登记你的名牌马鞍或其它有价值的东西。
当然,你的马具箱只能装小物件。让我们来想想你将需要的大的物件:草垛叉、耙子、铁锹、桶、谷物桶、马厩牌、折叠椅。在多数马术比赛场地每个马厩前都有一垛麦杆,你也可以买干草和谷物。但是,如果希望自己带,别忘了加入到你的任务清单上。别忘了你的马鞍和马笼头。以上多数物件在离开参赛前头一天装好,但由于最后一天总是紧紧张张,所以尽早把物件清单列好,一边打包一边从清单上划掉。 |