A Healthy Horse Is A Happy One

A Healthy Horse Is A Happy One

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We have all dreamed of having a horse, but when your new horse arrives home, the reality hits home that you are responsible for the health and well-being of this creature. Owning and keeping horses is a big responsibility, but with some basic knowledge, you have probably picked up from working at stables, vets will also be able to offer advice, you can keep your animal, happy and healthy

• Boarding

Before you even purchase a horse, you should know where you are going to board the animal. Do you have stables on your property, or will you need to find stables that offer boarding services? Costs of these facilities vary widely, as services vary. Some boarding stables will simply give your horse a stall to live in, while others will feed and water your pet. Full service boarding stables will also groom, exercise, and possibly even train your horse, but these stables are appropriately priced much higher.

• Grooming

Grooming your horse is not just so your animal looks nice; grooming also keeps your horse healthier. The hair and skin will stay cleaner with regular grooming, and cuts, bruises, or other irregularities will be noticed much sooner with a regular grooming session. Use special combs and brushes made especially for horses, and start from the neck of the horse and work back to the hindquarters. Hooves should also be cleaned regularly with a hoof pick.

• Feeding

The stable may feed your horse, but you may need or want to. Horses eat mostly hay or other grass, plus a feed and snacks. Horse nutritional feeds vary by breed, size, and age of the horse, so find one that is suitable for your specific animal. Make sure not to overfeed your horse. On average, a horse should eat equal to about 2.5% of its body weight daily. For snacks, horses can eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Watering

The best advice when giving your horse water is to be sure that your horse has constant access to clean water. Along with water, keep a salt block in your horse's stall to help them replenish salt and other minerals lost through sweating.

• Exercise

The amount of exercise needed by your horse depends on its breed, weight, and general size, but all horses should be exercised at least every other day. Make sure to warm up your horse by walking him at first during your ride. When you cannot exercise your horse, be sure it has an open space in which to run.

• First Aid

In general, you should leave first aid efforts up to your veterinarian. However, there are some minor problems that may not require medical attention. Here are some things to keep in a first aid kit for your horse:

- Hoof picks, in case stones or other objects get caught in your horse's hooves

- Antibiotic ointment to keep minor cuts clean and avoid infection

- Thermometer

- Flashlight

- Lotion made specifically for bug bites on horses

- Gauze and cotton, in case your horse is bleeding*

*Note, if your horse is bleeding, use gauze and cotton to attempt to slow or stop the bleeding, but be sure to contact a veterinarian immediately.

Using these tips to take care of your horse, you'll be on your way to keeping your friend happy, healthy, and living long. Remember to learn about horse care before purchasing your horse, so you'll have a basic understanding to start out.

About the Author:
Equine supplements are available for additional horse care and maintenance



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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