Horses are just like any other pet. They have basic needs for shelter, food, water, and exercise. Practicing proper horse care is the best way to ensure the animal lives a long, happy, and healthy life.
Ranchers and farmers often keep horses to help them work the land. These animals receive daily exercise and remain fit without extra care. Some people only ride their horses occasionally and keep them more as pets. Animals that do not work out daily can gain easily gain weight. This often requires a special diet to ensure the animal does not become fat.
Most experts recommend a horse have roughly one acre of land to run, walk, and play. Before leaving any animal alone in a pasture, it is important to inspect the area for any hazards. Trash, holes in the fence, and certain plants can pose a threat to the animal's health. Many plants are poisonous to horses, including deadly nightshade, yew, star thistle, buttercups, oak leaves, locoweed, and laurel.
Wire fencing held up with strong wooden posts is enough to keep horses with a barcoo bridle confined to a pasture. Rail fences made of wood are even more secure but require extensive maintenance. Barbed wire is not a suitable option because of the risk of injury.
A strong shelter provides animals with the protection they need against rain, wind, and sun. If the land does not have a grove of trees for protection, a three sided enclosure is best. The back wall must be in a location that blocks prevailing wind.
Wood shavings are a suitable choice for hygienic bedding. Rubber matting offers a soft place for horses for stand or rest but owners should spread wood shavings, hemp, or straw on top for warmth. Straw is inexpensive and comfortable but should be inspected for fungal spores that can cause harm if the animal eats the bedding.
Constant attention to the stable is a necessity. If the animal spends all day in the stable, it should be mucked out three times daily. This involves removing any droppings using a shovel and leveling out the bedding so it covers the entire floor.
A nutritious diet and clean water are essential to proper horse care. Providing a water trough supplied constantly by a pipe is the most convenient but the pipe will have to be inspected regularly during the winter to make sure it has not frozen. Following these tips will provide any horse with a long and healthy life.
Ranchers and farmers often keep horses to help them work the land. These animals receive daily exercise and remain fit without extra care. Some people only ride their horses occasionally and keep them more as pets. Animals that do not work out daily can gain easily gain weight. This often requires a special diet to ensure the animal does not become fat.
Most experts recommend a horse have roughly one acre of land to run, walk, and play. Before leaving any animal alone in a pasture, it is important to inspect the area for any hazards. Trash, holes in the fence, and certain plants can pose a threat to the animal's health. Many plants are poisonous to horses, including deadly nightshade, yew, star thistle, buttercups, oak leaves, locoweed, and laurel.
Wire fencing held up with strong wooden posts is enough to keep horses with a barcoo bridle confined to a pasture. Rail fences made of wood are even more secure but require extensive maintenance. Barbed wire is not a suitable option because of the risk of injury.
A strong shelter provides animals with the protection they need against rain, wind, and sun. If the land does not have a grove of trees for protection, a three sided enclosure is best. The back wall must be in a location that blocks prevailing wind.
Wood shavings are a suitable choice for hygienic bedding. Rubber matting offers a soft place for horses for stand or rest but owners should spread wood shavings, hemp, or straw on top for warmth. Straw is inexpensive and comfortable but should be inspected for fungal spores that can cause harm if the animal eats the bedding.
Constant attention to the stable is a necessity. If the animal spends all day in the stable, it should be mucked out three times daily. This involves removing any droppings using a shovel and leveling out the bedding so it covers the entire floor.
A nutritious diet and clean water are essential to proper horse care. Providing a water trough supplied constantly by a pipe is the most convenient but the pipe will have to be inspected regularly during the winter to make sure it has not frozen. Following these tips will provide any horse with a long and healthy life.
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