Horse Care - Part of the equine experience
Prior to ownership, it’s important to put a lot of thought into where you wish to board, because that will determine the amount of horse care involved. Your lifestyle will play a big factor in whether or not you’re able to provide the proper horse care at home. If you are a person who doesn’t like to be tied down, or if you like to travel a lot, then it’s important to take that into consideration.
When deciding whether or not to provide horse care at home, the single most important thing to remember is that horses require a great deal of upkeep, and cannot just be brought home and placed in a fenced field without further bother. Boarding at home offers many benefits, but if you’ve never owned horses, an alternative solution might be the better option. Temporary boarding, away from home, is an excellent way to gain experience in all aspects of horse care. Those who board horses for a living offer experience, proper housing, grooming, maintenance, health, and other essential professional services.
If you feel that you’ve got plenty of knowledge, experience, and time on your hands, then providing at home horse care offers many advantages. Having the ability to socialize with your equine friend on a day-to-day basis, whenever you wish, and for as long as you please, is perhaps the greatest of the benefits, as it will strengthen the bond. Being able to solely manage the time spent with your “friend” - while providing exclusive horse care - is very desirable to many owners, because it ensures all horse care is being done competently and efficiently. Another desirable reason for providing horse care at home is that it’s often less expensive than outside boarding. Depending on which part of the country you reside in, boarding can range from relatively nominal to astronomical in price.
Before bringing you new equine home, it is imperative that a top-notch shelter and secure fence be installed for safety. A shelter should be built to protect against harsh weather conditions and pesky flies in the summer. In the winter, horses need a place where they can stay dry and be protected from blowing wind, and in the summer, horses need a place that provides shade from the sun. Fresh water should always be available, and troughs should be located in a place where they cannot freeze over. The floor surface should be slightly sloped to prevent mud and water buildup, and hay can be put down for added comfort. A stable should be cleaned daily. Providing horse care at home will require that you have a large grazing pasture (free of poisonous plants) for not only grazing, but also for exercise. A horse’s diet can be supplemented with high quality hay, and concentrates such as grains, feed, and other nutritional dietary enhancements.
Providing horse care at home will also require the owner to build good working relationships with a veterinarian and a farrier. Choosing a veterinarian who is close by, and responds to night-time emergencies, is best. An annual physical is also highly recommended. A farrier provides hoof and shoe maintenance for horses.
The content on this page is only a very basic overview of horse care. Daily horse care is a huge responsibility, and not to be taken lightly, so for the sake of your horse’s health and well-being, take some time to research further information in regards to what will be involved before purchasing an equine friend. Good advice can be obtained from books, speaking to vets, others who own horses, professional boarding facilities, and so forth. Horses are magnificent animals and wonderful riding companions. Owning horses requires plenty of time and work, but if properly cared for and respected, you will be rewarded with years of enjoyment and friendship in return.