Filed under: Horse Care
Taking care of any animal requires a serious personal commitment that requires you to spend your extra time caring for the animal to ensure a high quality of life. Horses also require basic care in order to live happy and healthy lives. Whether your horse is a miniature horse or a large draft horse, the basic care requirements are the same. Here is a list of basic care requirements that will get you on the right track in proper equine husbandry.
Housing
Whether you rent space for your horse or own a barn, you will need to follow some basic rules of thumb for your horse’s stall. The size of the stall will depend on what kind of horse you have. Miniature horses will need a stall that measures 6ft x 8ft with at least a 7 foot ceiling. Ponies and riding horses up to 1100 pounds will need a stall that measures 12ft x 12ft with at least a 12 foot high ceiling. If you happen to own a very large horse, such as a draft horse, you will need a stall that is at least 16ft x 16ft with a 12 foot or higher ceiling.
Just remember that your horse should be spending most of it’s time outside with other horses, so the stall is mainly a quiet place to sleep. This means, the stall will need to be big enough for your horse to stand up, turn around, lay down flat, and get up comfortably. As far as the ceiling is concerned, it needs to be high enough to avoid injury from rearing and so your horse cannot reach it to chew.
Feeding
A very simple diet of quality grass and hay is all that most horses need. Be sure the hay is clean and free from dust and mold. Most grains are not necessary because they are simply extra calories. However, always check with your veterinarian for feeding requirements for your particular horse.
Aside from quality hay and grass, a constant supply of fresh, clean, and unfrozen water should always be available. The water buckets should be large enough to fit his muzzle into comfortably. Be sure to consult your veterinarian in regards to supplements, grains, and other dietary needs or changes.
Grooming
Part of taking good care of your equine friend is grooming. Grooming is a great bonding experience for you both as well as a great opportunity to check him over for injuries or irritations.
Basic grooming should be a part of your daily horse care routine. The main things you will want to focus on each day are coat, hair, hooves, and those bright shiny eyes. The tools you need will depend on the environment you live in as well as the type of horse you are grooming. If you are unfamiliar with grooming or using the tools, consult an experienced horse owner or trainer who can show you the ropes.
Exercise
Horses need both physical and mental exercise each day. For the most part, your horse will need to be turned out during the day with other horses. This interaction will help them stay socialized and will also help prevent behavioral problems. Regardless of whether your horse is turned out each day or spends most of his time in a stall, you will need to exercise him daily for 30 minutes to an hour.
Exercises can include, lunging, riding, or simply running up and down hills. If you are unable to exercise your horse daily, it is recommended that you hire an exerciser to do it for you. In addition to exercising your equine friend, you will want to be sure he gets a good warm up and stretch beforehand.
Make sure you take your horse to a veterinarian on a regular basis for other basic care including worming, vaccinations, and dental care. Owning and caring for a horse is a huge responsibility, not to be taken lightly. But with a little effort and commitment on your part, you can be a wonderful pony parent.