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.
Some horses are raised to work on a farm or ranch. These animals often get all the exercise they need on the job because their owners ride them regularly. Others are kept more like pets and are prone to gaining weight due to inactivity. These horses will require a special diet to compensate for the lack of regular activity.
Horses require wide open space to walk, play, and run. A pasture should provide approximately one acre of land per animal. Inspecting the pasture for hazards is crucial before leaving horses unattended. Certain plant species, holes in a fence, and trash can put horses at risk of injury or illness. Poisonous plants to look for include yew, buttercups, locoweed, star thistle, laurel, and deadly nightshade.
A sturdy fence around the pasture will keep other animals out while confining horses to a safe place with the right polocrosse equipment. A simple wire fence attached to strong wood posts is a suitable option. Wood rail fences are attractive and sturdy but can be time consuming and expensive to maintain. Never use barbed wire because it can inflict injuries.
These animals should have sufficient shelter to protect them from wind, sun, and rain. A three sided enclosure offers a safe place for horses to escape the elements. When building an enclosure, the back wall should be in a location that provides protection against 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.
In addition to eating a nutritious diet, horses require a constant supply of fresh water to drink. A trough with water supplied by a pipe is the best option but should be inspected frequently during the winter to ensure the pipe does not freeze. These basic horse care tips will help any owner keep a pet healthy throughout its lifetime.
Some horses are raised to work on a farm or ranch. These animals often get all the exercise they need on the job because their owners ride them regularly. Others are kept more like pets and are prone to gaining weight due to inactivity. These horses will require a special diet to compensate for the lack of regular activity.
Horses require wide open space to walk, play, and run. A pasture should provide approximately one acre of land per animal. Inspecting the pasture for hazards is crucial before leaving horses unattended. Certain plant species, holes in a fence, and trash can put horses at risk of injury or illness. Poisonous plants to look for include yew, buttercups, locoweed, star thistle, laurel, and deadly nightshade.
A sturdy fence around the pasture will keep other animals out while confining horses to a safe place with the right polocrosse equipment. A simple wire fence attached to strong wood posts is a suitable option. Wood rail fences are attractive and sturdy but can be time consuming and expensive to maintain. Never use barbed wire because it can inflict injuries.
These animals should have sufficient shelter to protect them from wind, sun, and rain. A three sided enclosure offers a safe place for horses to escape the elements. When building an enclosure, the back wall should be in a location that provides protection against 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.
In addition to eating a nutritious diet, horses require a constant supply of fresh water to drink. A trough with water supplied by a pipe is the best option but should be inspected frequently during the winter to ensure the pipe does not freeze. These basic horse care tips will help any owner keep a pet healthy throughout its lifetime.
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