Horses don’t ask much of their human caretakers. They accept whatever conditions we provide and seem to be content with kindness, adequate food, water, stabling and a loving pat now and then. They are indeed noble creatures to put up with us!This article discusses the fundamental needs of your horse. Take care of him with some basic rules in mind – your horse will repay you with his loyalty and equine affection and serve you until he no longer can. He will endure all you ask, demand, require or want from him.Remember, he lives in captivity and is totally dependent upon you. Make him happy to be your horse!Keep the following points in mind:–The horse is a herd animal. He enjoys and prefers the companionship of another horse. Since that is often not possible, another animal – even a chicken – can become a surrogate herd animal. If he has no companion besides you, visit him often and spend some time with him just grooming, picking up his feet and talking to him.– Despite their strength and size, horses have rather delicate digestive systems. This means that you, as caretaker, should pay close attention to your feeding management. Horses should never be offered dusty, moldy grain or hay.–Use only top quality grain suitable for his workload condition (pleasure, show, jumping, trail, breeding, etc.). Do not guess at feed rations or the type of grain to feed. Likewise, do not overfeed grain and never give free access to grain. Determine the correct ration based on his weight and activities, not by volume. Never feed on the ground – feed in a bucket or manger, hay rack or safe hay bag. Keep grain in tightly covered storage to prevent rodent or insect access. Ask a horse expert or someone knowledgeable to guide you. Set up a feed schedule that you can adhere to daily for as long as you have the horse – hopefully for his lifetime.–Your horse will require roughage in addition to his grain rations. He can eat pasture grasses or good quality hay (never dusty, moldy hay). Good first or second cutting hay is a daily requirement. If the horse is pastured routinely or is turned out on a daily basis, he is undoubtedly acclimated to grass – never turn your horse out to rich lush spring pasture after long winter months of hay roughage without getting him acclimated to grass slowly and over a week or so of time. Horses will founder quickly and severely if offered too much rich grass at one time. –Fresh, clean, pure water should be available to your horse at all times. Buckets need to be cleaned out daily to prevent slime and debris buildup from grain, hay or saliva. It is not advisable to merely top off buckets with new water to replenish what he has drunk for the day; remaining water should be discarded and replaced with fresh water.–Adjust your feeding schedule to occur routinely at about the same time each day. Avoid stressing your horse or risking colic by deviating from the feeding schedule too much and never skip feedings.–So, now you have worked out watering, and your grain and hay rations are appropriate for your horse’s workload and weight. Observe him once in a while as he eats. If he bolts his food; or picks and pokes at the food, or appears uncomfortable when he chews, check his teeth or the food – his actions are not the norm and something may be happening that needs to be checked out. –Never abruptly change his food or the feeding schedule. If a change in grain or roughage becomes necessary, introduce the new grain/hay over a number of days (even up to a week) by starting with small amounts of the new food mixed into the old food. Increase the new food gradually until you can make the complete switch to the new food.–Groom and handle your horse daily. Halter him, lead him, spend some time talking to him. Let him hear your voice. Remain calm and move around him with purpose and let him know where you are at all times. Exercise him regularly. Clean his feet daily.–Monitor his droppings daily since any changes in color or composition can indicate the first sign of a problem.–Check teeth regularly. It is normal to use the services of a horse dentist annually.–Establish a worming schedule and adhere to it. Medications should be rotated so the parasites do not build up an immunity and you get the various types of worms and parasites.–Set up regular vaccination schedules with the veterinarian. At the least, your horse should be vaccinated for encephalitis, influenza and rhinoneumonitis. Tetanus and rabies might also be required in your locale. If your horse trailers to horse shows, racing or trail riding events, etc., he may be required to have a current negative Coggins test. Let your veterinarian guide you.–Work out a schedule with your farrier to set shoes or trim feet on a six to eight-week basis – more often if your horse requires it.–Allow free choice to salt. Carefully monitor and feed horse supplements – best to refer back to your horse expert on this one.–Dress him in a horse blanket or fly protective horse sheet if necessary. If your horse lathers up during or after training or exercising sessions, use a horse cooler until he blows out. Never allow the horse to drink cold water if he is in a sweat or hot; likewise, do not grain him if he is hot. Lucky is the horse that finds a good home for life and gets excellent care during his lifetime. Make your horse one of the lucky ones and he will repay you a thousand times over.This article and other horse-related articles written by The Old Gray Mare can be found at http://www.DressYourHorse.com.
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