Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Things You Must Know About Horse Care

By Susan Weathers


All pets require proper care for a long life. Horses may be bigger in stature than most pets but they have similar basic needs. Proper horse care requires providing exercise, water, food, and shelter.

Ranchers and farmers often keep horses to help them work the land. These animals receive daily exercise and remain fit without extra care. Some people only ride their horses occasionally and keep them more as pets. Animals that do not work out daily can gain easily gain weight. This often requires a special diet to ensure the animal does not become fat.

Most horses will need approximately one acre of pasture to roam around for exercise. Owners should always inspect the pasture before leaving their animal alone. Holes in the fence, trash, and other hazards can put horses at risk of injury. Plants that are poisonous include oak leaves, deadly nightshade, foxglove, yew, laurel, star thistle, locoweed, and buttercups, among others.

Fencing is a basic requirement to keep horses with horse bits confined and keep other animals out. Many people like the look of wood rail fences but they are difficult and costly to maintain. A plain wire fence is adequate as long as strong wood posts are used to secure the fencing. Barbed wire is not recommended due to the risk of injury.

These animals should have sufficient shelter to protect them from wind, sun, and rain. A three sided enclosure offers a safe place for horses to escape the elements. When building an enclosure, the back wall should be in a location that provides protection against prevailing wind.

Straw and wood shavings are suitable bedding for these animals. Straw is an inexpensive option but fungal spores can be dangerous if horses eat the bedding. A rubber mat can offer some cushioning for the animal but should be covered with hemp, straw, or wood shavings for additional warmth.

Stables require daily attention. The stable will need to be mucked out at least three times a day if the pet is inside all day. To provide a comfortable environment, discard all droppings and level the bedding out so it is spread evenly across the floor.

In addition to eating a nutritious diet, horses require a constant supply of fresh water to drink. A trough with water supplied by a pipe is the best option but should be inspected frequently during the winter to ensure the pipe does not freeze. These basic horse care tips will help any owner keep a pet healthy throughout its lifetime.




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