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Caring For Your New Horse

Essential Care Items:

Water and Food Drums

Saddle & Saddle Pads

Hoof Pick

Hoof Ointment

Halter & Lead Rope

Horseback Riding Helmet

Curry Comb, Brush, & Mane Comb

First Aid Kit

Bridle & Bit

Fly Repellent

Horse Shampoo

Shovel & Rake

Housing - Horses don't necessarily need to live in a fancy barn.  The simplest structure made out of pipe corral and with a cover will do nicely.  It is important that the corral has a cover to shield your horse from the weather.  The smaller the corral...the more exercise your horse will require.  The smallest we recommend is 20 feet by 30 feet.   This allows your horse ample room to move around and to have areas away from the "potty corner".  Keep in mind when housing your horse at home, some states require that you have at least one acre per horse.  Be sure to check the corral on a regular basis for bolts sticking out, loose wires, and other potential cutting hazards.

Most horses do well on a diet of Alfalfa and Timothy Hay.  Horses are grazers and should be fed twice per day.  A healthy adult horse should eat a "flake" of hay twice per day.  A bale of hay has about 8 healthy flakes.  Therefore, one bale of hay should last you for about 4 days.   Hay should be fed in a drum up off the ground to prevent your horse from inhaling and ingesting dust and dirt.  We recommend that you give your horse bran at least once per week to help with their digestive system.  During winter months, you can supplement your horse's diet with grain to help keep your horse warm.  Grains are considered "warm" food because they give your horse more energy.  If you feed grain, you will notice that your horse may sweat a lot more and may even act differently.  If this becomes a problem, cut back on the grain that you are feeding.   Water must be available at all times in a trash can sized drum (30 gallons).   The water should be topped daily and completely changed once per week.  We do not recommend automatic watering systems unless sit is monitored daily to be sure it is working properly.

Grooming is a daily chore that can be therapeutic.   A good, long brush-down is relaxing for both you and your horse.  Start with a curry comb (hard rubber comb with ridges) and work in a circular motion.  This type of comb loosens dead hair and dirt.  After you have loosened the dirt, completely go over your horse whit a soft brush.  A regular old hair brush works just fine as a mane and tail comb.  Use a soft wet cloth to clean around your horse's eyes.   For your horse's comfort, finish off with a Fly Repellent.  Last but not least, don't forget your horse's hooves. Cleaning your horse's hooves is an important part in keeping them healthy.  Be sure to pick the hooves clean at least once per day and always before and after riding.  To help the hooves stay healthy, you can apply a hoof ointment to the tops and bottoms of the hoof.  This ointment works like a hand lotion by keeping the hooves from drying and cracking.  Baths can be given as often as necessary.  Be sure to use a horse shampoo.  Human shampoo can dry out your horse's skin.

Riding a horse requires the horse and rider to work together in tandem.  If you are a newcomer to horses, we suggest you take some riding lessons.  You will need to learn the movements and pressures that are the universal language between horse and rider.  Horse need regular exercise and bonding with their owners.  Lack of exercise can lead to health and handling problems.  If you are able, your horse should be exercised once per day or, at least, once per week.  This does not mean at a full gallop.  Especially if you do not ride frequently.   Horses, like people, need to build their stamina and need to have a warm-up period.   It is also equally important to have a cool-down period.  This entails a non-rider walk for about 10-15 minutes (longer if you have worked up a lather).  You can also run cool water on your horse's legs.  This method cools the blood being pumped through the legs and throughout the body.  Be sure to brush your horse after riding to remove the dirt and sweat.  Most horses love a good roll in the dirt after they are done exercising.

A must for a responsible horse owner is a good farrier and veterinarian.  You will need to have the farrier out at least every 8 weeks to reshoe your horse.  If you do not have shoes on your horse, then you will need to have the hooves filed and shaped.  It is a good idea to pick a veterinarian prior to having an emergency.  common calls to the vet include cuts and abrasions, lameness, and bouts with colds and viruses.  Below are a couple of common problems that can be easily treated:

• Teeth - In older horses, the vet may have to file the back teeth at least once per year to prevent weight loss due to improper chewing of food.

• Worming - You will need to establish a regular worming schedule to keep your horse healthy.  Worms can cause malnutrition that can lead to weight loss.  Worm your horse with an over the counter dewormer at least every six months.  We recommend that you change brands every other worming due to the fact that each brand of dewormer kills a variety of different kinds of worms.

• Thrush - This is a condition of the hoof that is cause by wet or moist bedding.  This is easily diagnosed by just smelling your horse's hoof to see if there is an overwhelming foul smell.  A hoof with thrush is also tender for the horse to walk on and can have a black color.  There are many over the counter ointments you can use to prevent and treat this condition.

• Lameness - This condition is usually cause by a rock in the frog (triangular cushion on the bottom of the hoof), a bump t the legs or improper riding conditions.  The treatment is always lots of rest and can last from days to weeks.  You can also apply ice and ointments to the affected areas to help the healing process.

• Always check with your veterinarian if you have any problems with your horse!

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DISCLAIMER:  The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care.  If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.