As every horse lover knows, horses are insanely high-maintenance, and they require a lot of love, attention, and care. You can’t just leave your horse to its own devices; you have to know what to feed it, how to train it and how to maintain it. Healthy horses are happy horses, but you must know what to do if you want your horse to remain in fine fettle. So, what must you ensure to do to keep your horse in fine fettle and ready to ride when the feeling takes you.
Keep Your Horse’s Diet Balanced And Nutritious
Horses are herbivores and thus need a diet that is high in fiber and low in protein. This is because they cannot break down proteins as efficiently as other herbivores can. It is also vital that horses have constant access to water. Making sure that your horse’s diet is balanced and nutritious is essential for a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to keep many factors in mind when choosing the best horse feed for your horse, such as age, weight, activity level, and health condition. One option is to incorporate horse feed balancers into their diets, which contain a perfect balance of the nutrients essential for a healthy beast. Due to their herbivore nature, you should feed them mainly hay, grasses, beet pulp, oats, and whole grains. You should give fruit and veggies in limited quantities because they contain sugars that can lead to obesity if given too frequently. Protein sources like peas or soybeans also need to be limited because they can lead to colic in horses. You should also restrict salt because it can affect the electrolytes balance in a horse’s body, leading to muscle cramps.
Get An Annual Veterinary Checkup
Horses are not just pets; they are a considerable investment. They have to be taken care of, and meeting their needs is paramount. Annual veterinary checkups provide essential preventative measures that help keep your horse healthy, happy, and safe. There are many benefits to taking your horse to a yearly veterinarian checkup. By getting a baseline on what’s normal for them, you can more easily spot any changes in their health and habits which may warrant a vet visit or treatment. In addition, by being aware of any potential problems before they arise, it will be easier to take the necessary steps and avoid possible complications down the line.
Get The Proper Vaccinations For Your Horse
Horses can be kept healthy with proper care and vaccinations. The first step is to determine which immunizations are needed for your specific horse’s age. Keep in mind that improper vaccination can lead to serious health consequences for a horse. A trained veterinarian will identify which vaccinations are appropriate for your horse based on their lifestyle. For example, a horse that lives in the country may need different vaccinations than one that spends its time in a pasture with other horses.
Provide Adequate Exercise For Your Horse
For horses to keep in good shape, they require adequate exercise as they need a healthy and vigorous exercise regimen to stay in shape. The best way to exercise your horse is to start by walking her regularly for about 10-15 minutes. You can try trotting for 5-10 minutes, then back at the regular pace for another 10-15 minutes. It is essential for your horse’s health that they get enough exercise daily. Horses are intelligent creatures and need stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
Make Sure Your Horse is Housed Properly
Making sure that your horse is appropriately housed is the best way to protect your horse and make sure it stays healthy. An excellent place to start is a fence where the horse can roam around freely but still be in a safe area. Then it would help if you thought about getting a proper shelter for the winter season so that your horse doesn’t get cold. And finally, you should think about how much space you would like for your horse to exercise and graze.
Take Care of your Horse’s Feet
Foot care is essential to horses, as they play a vital role in their health and bodies. Some horses have susceptible feet, which can be very painful when touched. This is especially true for horses used for sports like dressage or jumping because they are more likely to wear down the hoof wall. The lower the horse’s shoes, the more likely it is to develop foot problems. The best thing you can do is to find a good farrier and maintain a good relationship with them because good ones can be as rare as a hen’s teeth.
Maintaining the health and well-being of your horse is a full-time affair and one that needs serious investment in both time and money. Nevertheless, the joy that you can experience from owning a horse is immeasurable.
