Caring for a horse doesn’t have to be overwhelming but it is necessary for the horse’s health to keep its needs in mind. The best thing is to be able to plan the activities that need to be done on a daily and weekly basis.
For many horse owners, time spent in the stable is a therapeutic and enjoyable part of having a horse. For others, the work required is too great in relation to the time available to them. Many leave the horse in a stable where it is cared for by trained staff. This, for those short on time, is definitely the best approach.
THE ESSENTIAL TASKS FOR HORSE MANAGEMENT
A) DAILY TASKS
For those of you who choose to take on all the responsibility and management of horse health, here are the basic tasks to consider.
Basic daily horse health activities should be performed daily.
Feed it a forage-based diet, preferably in 2 or more small meals throughout the day.
Check for clean, fresh water. Horses can drink up to more than 10 liters of water per day during the hot season.
Stable cleaning and manure removal.
Check the horse for any signs of illness or injury.
Exercise your horse for at least 30 minutes.
B) WEEKLY TASKS
Weekly chores can be scheduled a few times a week or once a week depending on your horse’s needs:
- Exercise your horse for several hours at a time to release pent up energy and promote health and fitness.
- Take care of your horse’s body: mane, tail and hooves. Many owners tend to certain areas daily and only do thorough grooming when needed.
- Bathe your horse.
- Clean automatic waterers and buckets.
C) OTHER PERIODIC TASKS
Other periodic tasks are important activities but should be done according to local conditions and the advice of your veterinarian. In the long run, regular, preventative health care will save you money and protect the horse’s health from preventable disease.
Control parasites such as flies and intestinal parasites on schedule.
Vaccinations based on veterinarian recommendations.
Dental care as recommended by the veterinarian.
Thorough cleaning of the stable and the barn.
Basic barn, door and room repairs.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR HORSE HAPPY
Keep your horse happy
Take the time during daily chores to approach your horse to give it a pet or hug as if it were a pet. This little activity will make your horse easy and happy to take you for a ride whenever you feel like it.
Horses are herd animals, and being happier when in a herd helps reduce stressful conditions, including ulcers.
WHAT TOOLS TO USE
tools to be used for horse care
THE CURRY COMB: Use the curry comb by brushing in circular motions to remove dirt and stimulate circulation and sebaceous secretion.
THE HARD BRUSH: Use a hard, brisk brush with small, rapid movements; this allows the bristles of the brush to penetrate the coat to remove dirt and dandruff and stimulate circulation. Neither curry nor hard hard should be used on the bones of the horse’s head, withers and lower legs, so as not to cause microtrauma.
THE SOFT BRISTLE BRUSH: It is used in long strokes to remove superficial dirt and distribute the natural sebum over the entire coat. It can also be used on the legs, head and withers.
THE COMB AND BRUSH: brush and comb the mane and tail with a comb or brush.
THE SPONGE: clean the eyes and nostrils with a damp sponge. Use a different sponge for the genital area.
THE CLOTH: Dry the entire coat with a soft cloth.
THE CURASNETTE OR NETTAPIEDI: it is used to remove dirt under the hoof, starting from the attachment of the frog and moving outwards.
THE SWEAT BLADE: it can be used both in the direction of the hair and against the direction of the hair to eliminate excess sweat or water after washing; it should not be used on the horse’s bones (head, withers and lower parts of the legs).