If you’re lucky enough to bring home a horse, or if you’re able to care for one in a stable, then hopefully you’re already aware of what wonderful companions these animals can be. They’re not just “pets” you use for equestrian pursuits; horses can become lifelong friends, offering you support and comfort. However, these majestic animals need your full attention and care, and cannot be taken for granted. Just like any other animal that comes under your care, horses require someone who is sensitive enough to care for their needs, while respecting their desire to enjoy the great outdoors on their own. If you’re a beginner and not entirely sure how you should go about looking for a horse, then the following tips should help.
Horse Grooming
Those beautiful manes don’t happen on their own. While horse grooming can be a bit difficult, and it will take a while for them to get used to, it’s a necessary activity. Also, it will help you and your horse bond over time, while giving you a chance to check for injuries, which are often disguised. Try to ensure that you have the correct supplies for horse grooming in your home, such as lead ropes, hoof picks, body brushes, combs, repellents against ticks, and the like, as well as alter leather. Luckily, there are a lot of how-to videos online these days walking you through the steps of grooming your horse, which makes the whole arduous process a bit easier for newbies.
Mindful Diet
First things first, in order to feed your horse, you will need some basic pieces of equipment, such as a feed tub, a water trough, as well as a water heater. Then, bear in mind that horses require a very specific eating plan to help them maintain their health, while also making sure that their weight and physique are in excellent shape. Folks at Forage Plus warn owners against taking their horse’s health lightly, since they are prone to certain illnesses, particularly gastric ulcers and arthritis, that can largely be corrected or prevented through a healthy diet. A diet rich in nutrients and healthy fats will help secure a horse’s health for many years to come.
Take Care of the Stable
Just like humans, proper maintenance of a horse’s environment is crucial for its physical and emotional wellbeing. Stable maintenance is a task that will take up quite a bit of your time, but it is absolutely necessary. Your horse will need a fresh supply of clean, fresh water at all times. They will also need a rack of hay to graze on whenever they like – since horses are naturally grazing animals, they need to have something in front of them to eat at all times. Otherwise, they can develop colic and other health issues.
You will also need a straw so that they can make a bed of it, which should be easy given that it is relatively cheap and comfortable to sleep on. If your horse has allergies, however, you can use newspapers as a substitute, although be warned that the ink can transfer onto your horse if they have a light color. If that doesn’t work, some shavings can be used to make a warm and comfortable bed for your horse.
Other things you need to do basically include fully removing all the much and any waste products, on a daily basis. You should also sweep the bed and lay it back down Also be sure to clean wet waste, change the bedding, and add more fresh water every other day, minimum.
General Health Care
Cleaning a horse’s teeth is another extremely important task, not just important as part of their daily grooming, but also a way to ward off potential illnesses. Other things you should do as a precaution is to make sure they’ve had all their vaccinations, including influenza and tetanus shots. Also, try to keep a first aid kit handy, which should include salt, bandages and wraps, cotton wool, purple spray, hibiscrub, and so on. These are some of the most essential tools you’ll need in case your horse gets sick.
Owning a horse is a privilege, one that comes with a ton of responsibility. However, you will come to realize just how wonderful that investment you’ve made is since horses are truly loyal and loving companions. Keeping your pet happy and healthy is not only good for their soul but also yours, which is why it is essential that you do your best to care for them.
