Unlike our other common pets, horses are much larger and stronger. While their company is extremely enjoyable, they also pose a great responsibility of giving them proper attention. Though they are strong, they need regular care and maintenance to maintain their strength and vigor. Being social animals, they also need interaction with you and exercise and activities to avoid boredom. Here are some simple, yet extremely useful horse care tips.
If you are planning to bring a horse to your home, you should first create a proper shelter for her/him. Unlike dogs, cats and other small-sized pets, s/he can’t just roam around your house, sit on sofas and chairs, sit on your lap to get cuddled and sleep clinging to you in your bed. You have to create an outside home for them, no matter how much you love them and want them in front of your eyes.
The shelter for horses should protect them from elements. It should be shady enough in summer and warm enough in winter. It can be a horse stall, a barn, a simple shed or even trees, depending on the weather. If you keep your horse in a stall (which should not be smaller than 12’x 12’), you should turn her/him out daily in a paddock to give adequate exercise.
Check whether fences are in a good condition and there are no barbed wires to save the horse from getting caught in them. All barn areas and pastures where the horse will move should be cleared of poisonous plants if any.
If you keep your horse on sand or dirt, take care to feed her/him in a barrel or tub to avoid sand ingestion and thereby sand colic.
Remember that your horse will need constant supply of water as well as a salt or mineral lick. Being a grazing animal, the horses are in a habit of eating throughout the day. Horses are usually fed twice, once morning and then in evening.
The diet should be mainly comprised of hay or roughage. The quantity depends on the horse’s size and exercise s/he gets. You better discuss on this important point about your particular horse with your vet and other experienced horse parents.
You should also remember not to feed overly amount of protein-rich hay since it can cause hoof problems, if the horse is not getting enough exercise to match the amount of protein. It’s a good idea to try various mixtures of hay such as high-calorie hay such as alfalfa or grass hay to achieve a balanced horse meal. Be wary of feeding err or grain, particularly if you are not giving much exercise to the horse.
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