The horse is a noble animal that has been in use for centuries. Whether you’re just starting horse ownership or have been at it for years, there are always new things to learn.
If you want to be the best horse owner possible, read on. In this article, we will talk about some of the basics of horse ownership and how to take care of them properly so they can live happy lives.
Choose a Qualified Farrier and Veterinarian
Every horse owner should have a veterinarian and farrier they can trust. A qualified professional will be able to take the best possible care of your horse, ensuring their health for years to come.
These professionals are essential not only for routine checkups but also in case of an injury or illness that could mean life or death for your horse.
Not all veterinarians and farriers are created equal so do thorough research before choosing one who you think is right for you.
Create a Chore Routine
If horse ownership is like having a new baby, then you’ll need to have some sort of schedule.
In addition to feeding your horse and mucking out their stall daily, it is important that they get regular exercise as well. Horses naturally graze all day long but the amount of time spent grazing should be reduced in favor of more structured activities such as walking or riding.
A good number would be one hour per horse each day for grooming and exercising them so they can stay healthy and happy.
Make Sure Your House is Eating and Drinking Enough
Horses need a lot of water and food to stay healthy.
Make sure there is always fresh, clean hay in their stall as well as some sort of grain or horse feed for them to munch on throughout the day. You should also have an ample supply of safe drinking water so they can remain hydrated at all times.
This will prevent your horse from getting sick due to malnutrition and dehydration which would be far more devastating than inconvenience you with having someone come out every now and then to restock everything that’s been used up.
Create a Safe Place for Your Horse to Call Their Own
It is important that your horse has a safe place where they are able to live, eat, drink and sleep.
Their stall should be big enough for them to move around in but not so much that it would leave too many open spaces where bugs could get into the woodwork or dirt can cause respiratory problems.
They need hay racks, as well as horseshoes, hung up on the wall with their name written underneath.
Horse blankets made of sturdy material can also make sure they stay warm throughout the winter months while fly masks will keep insects from flying into their eyes at all times.
Always Clean Out Your Horse’s Stalls
It is important to clean out horse stalls at least once a week.
This will ensure that they stay healthy and happy by keeping their living conditions as optimal as possible.
Stalls should be mucked or raked around so all horse droppings are removed from the space, as well as any hay leftover from being eaten before it starts to rot.
Not only does this provide more room for your horse but you can also use horse poop for fertilizer on your garden which will save money in the long run.
Give Your Horse Plenty of Exercise
Horses need as much exercise as possible to stay healthy and happy at trail rides near me.
They love running around in large fields or pastures but if they live inside, you can take them for walks throughout your neighborhood every day so they still get the fresh air and freedom of movement that is necessary for their well-being.
Put Your Horse First
Although horse ownership requires a lot of hard work and dedication, it should always be worth it in the end when you see how happy your horse has become because of all your efforts put into taking care of them properly.
When you feel like giving up on horse ownership entirely, remember why horseback riding was such an integral part to begin with which will motivate you even more than before to keep going.
Learn to Tell if Your Horse is Too Cold or Hot
Horses are very sensitive animals and they need to be taken care of accordingly.
If horseback riding is too hot for them, their skin will start to become redder than usual near the ears or around their neck which means you should take a break from horse racing until things cool down a bit.
On the other hand, if your horse is shivering even after being out in the sun all day long then it’s likely that they have become too cold.
Therefore, putting something over their back would help regardless of whether you choose a blanket or sweatshirt as necessary depending on how thickly furred your horse happens to be.
Create a Shot Schedule for Your horse
Horses need to stay healthy and fit in order to be able to live out their lives without suffering.
You can make sure they are healthy by creating a shot schedule that includes shots against diseases like tetanus, West Nile Virus, or Lyme disease among many others.
This will also help you keep track of when your horse needs vaccinations for each specific ailment so that way you know what is coming up next on the horizon instead of getting caught off guard at some point down the line.
Deworm Your Horse Regularly
Worms can cause all sorts of horse health problems so it is important to deworm your horse once or twice per year depending on how the climate you live in affects them.
For example, horses living in humid climates are likely to get worms more than those who reside somewhere with hotter and drier weather conditions.
This is because parasites thrive when there is constant moisture involved which means that they will be more prevalent even if you clean out horse stalls regularly.
Interested in Learning More About Horse Ownership?
As you can see, horse ownership isn’t a difficult concept to master. To learn more about this subject, continue reading this blog for more helpful articles.
