After welcoming your horse into its new home, it’s important that you take proper care. Horses are truly amazing companions and become friends quickly. As their caretaker, you must take good care of them and provide them with everything necessary.
However, most beginners don’t know about it, and that’s why they make terrible mistakes, and there is a possibility that they might even hurt their horses accidentally. No one wants that.
That’s why I’ll share some of the best tips and tricks for horses that you shouldn’t ignore in today’s blog. So whether you are a horse owner, a horsey friend, or thinking about getting a horse read this blog till the end. These tips and tricks will be game-changers and strengthen the bond between you and your horse.
Basic Tips For Horse Care
It’s important to understand how you should care for a horse. Horses need special care to thrive. Here are some basic and essential aspects of horse care.
- Provide nutritional food to your horse and adequate quantities of grass, grain, and other necessary supplements
- Avoid giving unhygienic water to your horse as it can cause sickness
- Understand the needs of your horse
- Keep track of the daily routine of your horse
- Take care of routine procedures such as hoof trimming, deworming, and vaccinations.
Equipment For Horse Care
You don’t have to be extremely extravagant initially. If you have basic equipment and know how to use it, it’s enough to properly care for your horse.
- Grooming kit
- Fly spray and mask
- First aid kit
- Horse shampoo
- Tack for riding your horse
- Feed pan
Horse Care Tips & Tricks
Now you know the basics of horse care and have all the essential equipment. It’s time to dive in and discuss these tips in detail. So let’s explore these essential tips and helpful tricks together.
1. Know More About Your Horse
Before purchasing a horse, you should understand which;
- Size
- Breed
- Colour
Of the horse you want. Because when it comes to taking care of a horse, the first two points will play a huge role. Different breeds of horses are used for various purposes. For this, you need to learn extensively about different horse breeds.
A healthy horse can carry at least 20% more than its body weight. So if you want to ride a horse, consider this important factor. Moreover, the diet of horses will also vary depending on the breed.
Draft horses such as Clydesdales, Percherons, and Shires tend to be larger and require more food than smaller breeds such as Arabians or Thoroughbreds. However, this can vary depending on the horse’s specific nutritional needs.
2. House Of Your Horse
Horses can’t live in small or confined spaces. So if you live in an apartment or small house, you should consider boarding your horse. Every horse needs a place where it can live;
- Without any debris for exercise
- Adequate shelter
- Clean and well-maintained area
- Good quality fresh grass
Moreover, you might consider living with your horse at home, but it can consume a lot of time. Because you have to keep the area clean and ensure your horse is well-fed. That’s why boarding is considered the best option of all. The price for boarding varies depending on the area you live qualities and the facilities they might provide.
3. Ensure That Stable Is Clean
It’s important to give your horse a healthy environment where it can thrive without suffering from any ailments. Cleaning stables from time to time is important.
Suppose your horse lives in a stall. Then you should get it cleaned at least once a day. But some equestrians recommend cleaning twice and clearing manures or any urine spots.
While standing, horses can doze off, but for deep sleep, they lay down. You can use bedding materials that absorb urine, i.e., straws or shavings. Because of this, your horse can sleep soundly. Two shavings are considered extremely dangerous for horses, and you must avoid them. They are;
- Corn cobs
- Black walnut shavings
4. Take Extra Care Of Their Diet
The diet of horses is a critical aspect; the vital part of their diet is roughage. It is in the form of pasture or hay. On average, a horse requires at least 1.5% to 2% hay with respect to their body weight daily.
Feed your horse small and frequent meals. It protects horses from many diseases, such as colic and gastrointestinal issues. High-quality hay is often necessary to maintain a healthy diet for horses, as pastures alone may not provide enough sustenance year-round.
However, it is important to assess the quality of the pasture before turning horses out to graze. Because many plants can be toxic and harmful. Many horses can become overweight and suffer from sickness. Horses should also get access to the following;
- Salt lick
- Fresh water
On average, a horse drinks 5 to 10 gallons of water daily. If the weather conditions are hot and do more exercise, then more water intake becomes necessary.
If nutritional requirements can’t be met with hay alone, grains should be added to the diet. Remember that livestock feed includes various additives and deadly ingredients for horses. So choose grains that are specially manufactured for horses.
5. Horse grooming
Grooming your horse involves brushing its coat and trimming its hooves. It includes a range of tasks, such as bathing, maintaining cleanliness, and using specialized horse grooming tools to keep its coat in top condition, clean its hooves, and remove dirt from tight spaces.
In addition to maintaining your horse’s physical well-being, grooming can be a bonding experience for you and your animal. Encourage young family members to participate in grooming sessions. It instills a sense of responsibility in them and fosters a deeper connection with your horse.
6. Let Your Horse Socialize
Horses are incredibly social animals that crave companionship and interaction. Interacting with other horses is essential for their growth and development. Through this, they can learn vital social skills and behaviours.
Whether you own a young or old horse, providing them companionship is important to ensure their well-being. If you don’t have another horse, you can consider getting a companion animal like a goat.
Another solution for this problem is checking with other horse owners. Later, you can schedule a time to turn your horses together in an indoor arena. This way, your horse can socialize and move around freely. It will eventually contribute to their physical and mental health.
7. Check for Any Signs of Sickness
It’s obvious that you can’t understand your horse’s language. That’s why you must look at the signs stating your house is sick. By keeping an eye on these, you can ensure your horse is thriving.
- The horse isn’t eating food
- You may notice your horse being inactive, dull, and lethargic
- You notice excessive sweating and fever
- Cough and snotty nose
- Lack of urination and popping
If you spot any of these signs, seek a vet’s help immediately. Because in most cases, these diseases can be stopped in the early stages, but due to delay, they become fatal.
8. Emergency Preparedness for Horse Owners
For physical health, you should focus on the proper foot, dental, and emergency care; without these, your horse’s well-being can be highly compromised.
- Good foot care includes trimming or shoeing to avoid cracks, lameness, and overgrowth.
- With dental care, your horse can digest food properly. For horses, it’s important to get teeth checked by vets at least once a year.
- Horse owners should have a well-stocked first aid kit. They should know how to give basic care to horses before the vet arrives. It includes cleaning wounds, administering medications, and stabilizing fractures or other injuries.
9. Make a Workout Plan For Your Horse
Regular exercise is important and can lead the path to a healthy life. Workout for horses can reap a lot of advantages, such as;
- Increases stamina
- Improves endurance
- Enhances lungs functioning
- Facilitates proper development of hoofs and bones
If you are planning a workout for your horse. Then it should include these four basic steps.
- Warming up is crucial to prepare the horse’s body for exercise and prevent injuries.
- Stretching can help improve flexibility and range of motion and reduce muscle soreness.
- Exercises such as trotting, cantering, and jumping can enhance the horse’s strength, agility, and coordination.
- The cool-down period allows the horse’s body to gradually return to a resting state. It prevents any sudden strain or shock to the muscles.
Incorporating these steps into your horse’s workout routine can help your horse remain fit, healthy, and happy. It allows you to enjoy your time together even more. So, whether you’re a professional horse trainer or a horse enthusiast, consider adding these steps to your horse’s workout for amazing results.
10. Ride Your Horse
If you have a strong and rideable horse, don’t let poor riding skills hinder your ability to enjoy riding. Addressing any shortcomings is important by seeking out resources to improve your riding abilities. It can include;
- Attending a riding club
- Taking riding lessons
- Learning from a qualified equestrian
However, before taking your horse for a ride, you must prioritize safety measures for yourself and your horse. It includes wearing appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet, and ensuring your horse is well-fed, hydrated, and properly tacked up.
After a ride, it’s important to show appreciation to your horse. Give rewards or treats and shower them with affection. It helps to build trust and a stronger bond between you and your animal.
Helpful Hacks For Equestrian To Make Your Horse Healthy & Happy
Now, you have enough hacks, tips, and tricks. You can use it on your horse and ensure that you provide the highest quality of care to your horse. Moreover, your time with your horse will also increase your friendship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make My Horse Wear Shoes?
It is one of the most commonly asked questions. Many equestrians believe that blood flow is affected due to wearing shoes, which is why they aren’t a good option for horses. However, many people believe that this statement is not true and state that during rigorous training, horses can get injured; to reduce the chances of injury or any accident, wearing shoes is a must for horses. They are incredibly helpful for horses with soft and sensitive hooves.
What Is Considered Natural Living Condition For Horses?
Horses are lively herd animals that love moving and grazing. Wild horses can travel 10 to 20 miles almost every day. If you have watched horse grazing, you must have noticed that even before taking a few steps, they will take a bite and then move.
What Will Happen If A Horse Doesn’t Get Enough Clean Water On a Regular Basis?
The first common problem that will appear is dehydration, and it will cause many other health issues. One of the most dangerous things that affect dehydrated horses is colic. In simple words, colic is severe abdominal pain, and it can pose great risks to horses’ health. Due to dehydration, the digestive system of your equine friend will not work properly, and food can get entrapped in the gastrointestinal tract.
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