Horses need regular care and maintenance and with the right care products will make this job easier, faster and get you in the saddle quicker. Horses are wonderful animals and they give their owners so much pleasure and company. So it goes without saying that your horse will need to be looked after and cared for in return. Here are some tips to keep your horse happy and healthy regarding their basic care. Horses must have the right food in the right quantities for proper care. Horses love eating just like us. Horses like good pasture, hay or dried pasture and grains and pellets. Pastures are not always rich and nutritious, especially certain times of year they must be supplemented with other foods in order to make sure your horse is getting the right nutrition and care.
Well Fed, Not Over Fed
Good alfalfa hay is nutritious and is often used for high performance horses. Good quality grass hay can practically cover all the horse's nutritious care. Always find a reliable provider for the hay. Hay however, does require proper storage. It must be stored in a dry and well ventilated barn or shed. Moldy hay can cause toxin build up and other health complications. Grains are good for horses and can be given in measured quantities along with hay. Too much grain can make for a fat, lazy horse and can cause serious health complications, most commonly known as founder. Grains are carbohydrates and gain calories, some horses nutrition care will only require good supplements or concentrates and no carbohydrates. Special care and consideration needs to be given for individual needs, such as, high performance horses, pregnant or nursing mares and growing, developing foals and young horses. The concentrates usually sold as pellets are also supplements to the hay or pasture and must be given in the quantities recommended. A well fed horse, not over fed, is a happy and healthy animal. Personally feeding and providing the care for your horse is a good way of bonding and your horse will love you for it. Personally providing your horses basic care will improve your relationship immensely. This will give you a good opportunity to take a physical inventory of your horse, checking for cuts, scrapes or swollen legs, bites and disposition. If a horse shows signs of a change, such as being lethargic, and shows no physical signs of injury get a temperature and call your veterinarian.
Always Be Training
Horses need up to ten gallons of water daily, so there must always be plenty of fresh clean water available. In harsh winters, the water must be warm and kept from freezing with a sinking or floating heater. The horse must have a salt block to lick or free choice mineral salt. In winter months a small amount of salt can be added to grain or concentrates to force feed a little extra salt and promote more drinking. Horses must be exercised either by riding or by making them work in order to care for their physical fitness needs. Hooves and teeth must be examined regularly and cleaned to prevent disease and injury. The hooves must be picked and cleaned regularly, the teeth checked with a thorough yearly veterinary check up of the whole mouth. Groom your horse yourself using the proper grooming tools and products. Most horses love grooming, but be sure not to use too stiff of a brush which can cause discomfort and with repeated use can create a dislike. Make sure your horse stands still and is well behaved while you are grooming and when providing any care. His feet should be quiet so that you will be able to work on your horse without dodging and trying to keep from getting stepped on. So enjoy your horse and groom it often with special additional grooming care for shows. By using good products and performing everyday care for your horse you will develop a much closer relationship and bond.