Horse care is one of the several responsibilities a horse owner must be able to provide. This is very important in ensuring the horses optimal health and long life. Several aspects must be considered in taking care of a horse including age, breed, activity level, season and underlying health issues.

Horses must have enough exercise everyday to satisfy its physical needs. Horses kept in stables may develop stable vices. Stable vices are bad habits developed as a result of being confined with insufficient exercise, if they are not given work or turnout. Examples of stable vices are wood chewing, biting, wall kicking, pawing or digging.

For your horse to have enough exercise, you must provide it with enough land to run. An average land area for one horse is one to three hectares. The land must also be free from hazards, trash and poisonous plants. If the terrain does not provide natural shelter in the form of heavy trees or other windbreaks, an artificial shelter must be provided.

To protect your horse from the sun, rain and wind, provide it with a good shelter. Most horse owners have box stalls for their horse. Box stalls vary in sizes, which depends on local cultural traditions, the breed and gender of the horse, and any special needs. What matters most is that the shelter you provide is large enough to fit your horse.

Box stalls usually contain a layer of absorbent bedding such as straw or wood shavings. Compared to wood shavings, straw is less expensive. However, wood shavings are cleaner and more hygienic to use.

It is vital that you clean your horses stable everyday, preferably three times daily, especially if your horse is stabled all day. Level the bedding and remove any droppings using a shovel and wheelbarrow. A horse generates approximately 15 pounds of manure and several gallons of urine each day. So always disinfect the stable as there are health risks to the horse if forced to stand all day in its own waste.

You must provide your horse with ample food, approximately 1.5% to 2.5% of its body weight in food per day. A horses food may include grass, hay, grain or commercially prepared pelleted feeds. Fresh, clean water should be provided free choice at all times. Always refill your horses water container.

Keep your horse clean as well as the tacks used. Groom your horse daily to keep its coat healthier and more attractive. Keep your horses feet clean and dry whenever possible to help prevent lameness and hoof diseases such as thrush. Horses that are subjected to hard work may need horseshoes for additional protection.

Subject your horse to regular veterinary check up. Veterinary care usually includes vaccination, parasite management, deworming and dental care. These are important in protecting your horse against diseases. Dental care is also needed to avoid teeth problems that can affect your horses eating and performance.

Tags: Horses