Horse ownership necessitates a significant time and financial investment. Nonetheless, it has the potential to be rewarding and enjoyable. Horses are beautiful companion animals you can keep for pleasure, competition, or both. The law requires you to provide your horse with the necessities for health and happiness.
Horse Maintenance and General Health Care
Despite their widespread popularity, most people need to be made aware of how little they know about horses. Everyone has an opinion, and many myths exist. Here are some horse facts to help you understand them better, especially if you are thinking about taking riding lessons or buying your first horse. View site if you are looking for a reputable animal hospital for your pet.
Property owners who rescue and care for horses on their land must have a Property Identification Code (PIC).
These requirements are as follows:
- water
- shelter
- company
- health care
- space and exercise
- adequate and appropriate feed
- treatment of illness or injury.
Feeding
Horses require a high-quality roughage diet to stay healthy (pasture, hay, or chaff). A general daily caloric intake recommendation is 1 to 2 kilograms per 100 kilograms of body weight, or:
- Pony (measuring up to 13.5 hands, 200–350kg) feed 3–7kg each day
- Galloway (measuring 13.5–15 hands, 350–500kg) feed 7–10kg each day
- Horse (measuring 15–16.5 hands, 500–650kg) feed 10–13kg each day
- Heavy Horse (measuring 16.5+ hands, 650+kg) feed 13+ kg each day
A frequently worked horse with insufficient pasture or in poor condition may require additional feeding.
Place a mineral block or salt lick in the paddock. For dietary supplementation advice, speak with your veterinarian. You should not feed horses many food scraps or grass clippings because they can make them sick. Providing as much forage as possible is one of the most critical indicators of horse health (hay or grass).
Many of us now have access to hay that is both nutritionally and energetically superior. Some horses self-regulate and graze all day, consuming various small meals. We now have “slow hay feeders” for horses that tend to overeat, which limits the amount of hay they can consume at one time (which can lead to unhealthy weight gain). Even “easy keepers” have expanded their access to grass.
Foot Care
Every 6 to 8 weeks, you should trim the horse’s hooves. This keeps them from chipping or growing too long, which is painful for the horse. Riding a horse over rough or rocky terrain necessitates appropriate footwear.
Dental Care
A qualified and experienced managing equine dentistry should examine a paddock-kept horse’s teeth at least once a year. Untreated teeth can cause oral pain. Horses under the age of five and those fed grains must have a dental examination every three to six months.
Equine Worming
Regular worming prevents worm growth in your horse’s stomach and intestines. Every 6 to 8 weeks, multiple worming pastes must be used. Because dosage frequency and amounts can vary, it is critical to follow the product’s instructions. Keeping worms at bay in pastures is as simple as removing excess manure from the horse’s paddock.
Equine Vaccinations
Your veterinarian can advise you on the equine vaccinations schedule and appropriate types. They may advise you to vaccinate against strangles, respiratory viruses, and tetanus.
Companionship
Horses, as herd animals, require the company of other horses. This could be in the same pasture or one nearby. Behavioral issues may arise when a horse is left alone in the paddock or while being ridden.
Conclusion
Serving as an apprentice to a horse expert is an efficient way to learn how to care for a horse. It could be as simple as hanging out at the barn and taking lessons or as complex as renting a horse and having the owner teach you how to care for and groom the horse.
