General guidelines for proper horse care, together with questions and
answers on common ailments and horse related problems.
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& weight?
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colic?
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Buying a Horsebox
Basic Horsebox Maintenance
Some General guidelines on caring for your horse and pointers for those
of you thinking of buying a horse.
Owning a horse can be a very rewarding experience, but it means that
you have accepted the responsibility of caring for your horse, for as
long as it is a part of your life.
Expense
Even routine horse care is a significant and ongoing expense. In fact,
the cost of purchasing a horse is often much less than the cost of maintaining
one for a year. Make sure you are realistic about your ability to afford
quality care before you adopt an equine companion.
Feeding
Horses need a regular supply of food. In most cases, they need to
have hay or pasture throughout the day, with additional hard feed twice
a day. An average-sized horse will eat about 20 lbs. of food a day and
drink at least eight gallons of water. A horses stomach is relatively
small and their digestive systems surprisingly delicate, so horses need
to graze throughout the day, rather than have one or two large meals.
Hoof Care
Horses need regular hoof care. Plan to hire a farrier (blacksmith)
every six to eight weeks for routine hoof trimming and/or shoeing.
Veterinary Care
Horses need regular veterinary care. At least once a year, your horse
will need to be vaccinated against equine flu and tetanus as well as
other diseases. Keep in mind that a medical emergency, which are always
a possibility, can cost hundreds to thousands of pounds to treat. A
good equine insurance policy is essential for todays horse owners.
Worms & Intestinal Parasites
Horses are constantly exposed to intestinal parasites (worms) from
the ground they graze on and they must be de-wormed every six to eight
weeks. Carrying a heavy worm burden can cause serious illness or death
in horses; so regular and timely treatment is crucial to your sound
horse health.
Warmth & Shelter
Horses need constant access to a dry, safe, comfortable shelter to
protect them from rain, wind, and snow. In warm and sunny weather, the
shelter you supply will provide your horse with much needed shade. At
a minimum, you should have a well-constructed, three-sided shed (field
shelter) where your horse can retreat to at any time. You will need
to muck-out (remove manure) from the stable or shelter every day.
Exercise
A healthy horse needs exercise. To supplement the exercise your horse
will get when you ride him, he should have a paddock or pasture in which
to relax and stroll. Horses shouldn't spend all day confined in a stable,
except on a vets recommendation. Your horses pasture should be bordered
by safe, sturdy fencing that will keep your horse safe and secure. Barbed
wire is not an acceptable fencing material, it has caused a great many
serious injuries in horses.
Remember
Your horse depends on your care, and commitment. You'll show you care
through grooming, petting, riding, and the occasional treat. You must
also show your commitment by providing for your horses needs 365 days
a year, in good weather and in bad. With good care, your horse will
live up to 35 years or more; so, make sure you choose the one and plan
to enjoy a long and mutually beneficial relationship with your horse.
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