Horse care for beginners

As a horse owner, it is essential to know some basic horse care tips. Apart from providing food and shelter to a horse, the horse owners also require basic equipment for horse care. We'll discuss horse care tips for beginners that will help first-time horse owners to take good care of their horses. After all, it's all about keeping your horse happy and healthy.

Feeding and watering

First-time horse owners must know that horses have a sensitive digestive system. You can give them a well-balanced healthy diet to keep them in good health. Horses love to eat grass that is easily digestible as well. However, if the grass is not available, you can go for hay or grains. It is a good idea to discuss the quantity of feed allowed for the horse with a veterinarian. Make sure you provide fresh drinking water to the horse every time. The flexible rubber buckets will be the most convenient option for owners to water their horses.

Grooming

Grooming your horse is an essential part of horse care. Grooming your horse regularly keeps its coat healthy. It's also a great way to build an ever-lasting bond with your horse. If you don't have one already, you may want to consider purchasing a grooming kit. It's generally recommended to groom your horse from ears to tail before and after riding on them. You'll do this to ensure that your horse does not have any debris on them before saddling and you'll brush them again afterwards to remove sweat and accumulated dirt. Brushing your horse's coat is necessary for good hygiene. Always use a soft brush for brushing the face. For cleaning the feet, you'll want to carefully remove to remove the dirt and stones with a hoof pick.

Shelter

Horses need an ideal shelter for their living. The shelter that you provide to your horse should be used to offer them protection from the elements. Horses are more comfortable in barns and sheds when constructed properly. You'll want to regularly check your horse stall for splinters, broken boards, and nails but doubly so in the winter months as your horse will be spending more time indoors. It's important to ensure that the horse shelter has enough space for the animal to live comfortably.

Additionally, you'll need to regularly clean your horse's quarters. Cleaning your horse's living area means removing wet patches and clearing out the droppings every morning, often referred to as "mucking out" the stall. You'll also want to ensure that they have a thick enough bed to lie down comfortably.

Health Care

As a horse owner, you need to be aware that horses are actually rather fragile animals and be injured easily. You need to recognize the signs of any illness or if your horse is behaving unusually. If something seems off, inspect your horse carefully and if needed, contact your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian may also recommend that you pick up a first aid kid specifically for horses to deal with an emergency.

Exercise

Horses, like all animals, need exercise to remain healthy and fit. It's generally a good idea to let your horses safely roam in a gated area during the day, but they should generally remain inside at night. During the day, you'll also want to be aware of summer heat and ensure that your horse isn't overheated. If you ride your horse, consider going out on a short ride with your horse to help them get the exercise they need.

Taking good care of your horse is necessary, especially for first-time horse owners. You should pay attention to every aspect of horse care, whether feeding your horse or cleaning its stable. It's all about providing a safe and comfortable natural environment to your horse. It also helps to enhance the bonding of horse owners with their horses leading to a well-maintained living.