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Horse Health

    Horse Health Editor's Picks

    • How to Keep Horse Health Records

      Horses have been a fixture in societies around the world for hundreds of years. The Romans used them as war machines, the Renaissance period saw them as workers, and they helped carry settlers into the Old West. The old saying "healthy as a horse" pays tribute to the animal's hardy nature, but keeping proper horse health records is... more »

    • How Often Do You Clean a Horse's Stall?

      Cleaning a horse's stall involves more than the daily process of "mucking," or removing manure and urine. For a stall to be truly cleaned, bedding should be removed or turned over, and the walls, water buckets and feed troughs be cleaned. Inspecting the stall for safety hazards and insect infestations is also a part of cleaning a... more »

    • About Farriers

      Since their domestication, horses have played an integral part of the development of humans. From agriculture to warfare, humankind has depended on the horse for a lot, including the proper care that is part of an unspoken agreement between man and horse.
      Part of that care is the job of the farrier. Although their jobs have changed... more »

    • How to Identify Horse Heart Murmurs

      When a horse develops a heart murmur, the symptoms can be so mild that you may not notice. Usually, the veterinarian is the first person to realize that your horse has a heart murmur. Heart murmurs in horses usually indicate a valve abnormality. Murmurs are caused by either an obstruction of blood flow out of the heart or leakage of... more »

    • Guide to Horse Massage Therapy

      Horse massage creates a more balanced, happier horse mentally, emotionally and physically. This therapy relieves tired muscles, breaks up muscle spasms, increases circulation, reduces muscle and joint inflammation, and allows the horse to relax. Therapists can use massage to either prevent or treat health issues. more »

    Horse Health Articles

    • How to Cook Flaxseed for a Horse

      Flaxseed is an oilseed containing Omega-3 fatty acids and can be a valuable addition to your horse's diet. As a regular food supplement, flaxseed... more »

    • What to Use on Horse Stall Floors

      When building a horse stall, it is important to consider what type of materials to use for the floors. Since a horse will be spending the majority... more »

    • How to Pick a Boarding Stable

      Looking for a boarding stable evokes fear and anticipation similar to purchasing a house. Nothing quite triggers a churning stomach more than... more »

    • How to Feed a Stabled Horse

      Know how to properly feed your horse and she'll maintain her lustrous coat and confident canter. When caring for your animal - be it an Arabian or... more »

    • How to Clean Horse Stalls

      Think of it as a meditative experience. Clear your mind, do a few deep breathing exercises before you enter the horse stall and then get to work.... more »

    Wikipedia

    Horse care

    There are many aspects to horse care. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other domesticated equids require attention from humans for optimal health and long life.

    Living environment
    Worldwide, horses and other equids usually live outside with access to shelter from the elements. In some cases, animals are kept in a barn or stable, or may have access to a shed or shelter. Horses require both shelter from wind and precipitation, as well as room to exercise and run. They must have access to clean fresh water at all times, and access to adequate forage such as grass or hay. In the winter, horses grow a heavy hair coat to keep warm and usually stay warm if well-fed and allowed access to shelter. But if kept artificially clipped for show, or if under stress from age, sickness or injury, a horse blanket may need to be added to protect the horse from cold weather. In the summer, access to shade is well-advised.
    For horse owners who do not own their own land, fields and barns can be rented from a private land owner or space for an individual horse may be rented from a boarding farm. Unless an animal can be fully maintained on pasture with a natural open water source, horses must be fed daily, preferably at least twice a day. If a horse cannot be fed by its owner every day, it is usually kept at a boarding stable, where the staff will care for the horse for a fee.
    As equines are herd animals, most have better mental behavior when in proximity to other equine company. However, this is not always possible, and it has been known for companionship bonds to develop between horses and cats, goats and other species. There are exceptions. Some horses, particularly stallions may need to live on their own as they may fight with other animals.
    Horses that are not on full-time turnout in a field or pasture normally require some form of regular exercise, whether it is being ridden, longed or turned out for free time. However, if a horse is ill or injured it may need read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse+care

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