How to Look After a Horse

Buying a horse is the first in a long line of expenditures, both in money and time. Caring for a horse is an ongoing commitment, whether you care solely for your horse or have the help of a boarding stable. Whichever you choose, some guidelines can help you look after a horse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Monitor your horse's grazing area or board your horse in a reputable stable. A good rule is to allow at least 5 acres for a single horse and 2 more acres for every additional horse.
2. Make sure the pasture is fenced securely and free from dangerous items. Remove trash and hazardous plants. Barbed wire is dangerous. Put thin cloth "flags" on the top strand of wire every few yards to keep your horse from becoming injured. It is preferable to use a "hot" top wire as opposed to barbed wire.
3. Feed your horse with quality hay. Allow free grazing in a good hay pasture for the bulk of a horse's dietary needs. If grazing is inadequate, purchase good hay and supplement your horse's diet with grain. Avoid storing grain where your horse can reach it. Horses that eat too much grain can founder, resulting in a potentially fatal condition.
4. Provide fresh water at all times for your horse. This is the single most important item in your horse's diet. A stock tank with a constant feed will keep the water from stagnating. Add a few goldfish to the tank to reduce mosquito larvae. A small, inexpensive solar pump will keep the water circulating.
5. Find and keep good horse care professionals. Your horse needs a good veterinarian and a farrier who will travel to the stable. Consult other horse owners in your area for recommendations and have the farrier visit three or four times a year to trim your horse's hooves. Schedule vet checks at least twice a year for general healthcare and immunizations.
6. Train your horse to be a responsible equine citizen. Horses are highly intelligent creatures and can learn to carry a rider safely. However, correct training is necessary. Abusing a horse is a sure way to create a problem. If you are not knowledgeable in horse training, hire a professional to train both you and your horse.
7. Spend time with your horse on a regular basis. Horses need frequent human companionship to keep them sociable. Riding your horse once in a blue moon won't provide the kind of ongoing attention he needs to hone his social skills. Look after your horse daily and groom him regularly even if your not riding often.
8. Know when to say goodbye. Your horse is dependent upon you for his care and well-being. When the time comes and a veterinarian offers the opinion that your horse is suffering more than he is enjoying life, consider his feelings before your own and do what is the best for him.

Tips & Warnings

• Horses can be dangerous animals. Even a mild-mannered horse can kick impulsively at a bee sting and injure a person. Always follow good horse safety measures.