How to care for your horse

Horses are wonderfully majestic creatures which have been integral to the development of society across many thousands of years. However, in more modern times horses have also become popular pets as well as an animal of work. While horses can make fantastic pets, they also take a lot of looking after and taking on the responsibility should be carefully considered.

Food and Drink

Horses mainly live off grass and hay and there should be plenty available always for the horse to graze on. Horses also eat a lot even a small pony can get through up to 7 kg each day with larger horses consuming a staggering 13 kg in 24 hours. Horses might not appear to drink a lot but there should also be plenty of water available to them always. A horse’s diet should also be kept consistent and any changes you make should be done gradually over time to prevent your horse getting sick.

Shelter and Exercise Space

While horses love being out in the open, you also need to ensure that they have a place to shelter from wind, rain and hot sun. The most common type of shelter is stables which should provide the horse with plenty of space to move around. It’s important that the stable or paddock is kept clean and free of things which could injure the horse always. When it comes to exercise, horses need plenty of it. If you take them out daily then it’s not imperative to have a large space for them to wander around but if you can’t then a large field or similar space, is required for the horse to run around in.

Caring for your Horse

Horses must be carefully looked after – this included maintaining their teeth, hooves, and ensuring that they have had all their relevant vaccinations. Hooved must be professionally trimmed every 4-6 weeks to stop them getting chipped or becoming uncomfortable and a visit to the dentist is mandatory at least once a year – through this should be more frequent for younger horses. Maintaining your horses’ ideal weight is also important – though this varies for each individual horse. An overweight horse will not get the right amount of exercise and also puts them at risk of developing Laminitis which risks becoming untreatable.

Riding

It’s important to ensure that you are riding your horse correctly – if you choose to ride them at all. Professional equipment such as a saddle is required and if you have no experience in riding horses you must seek the advice of a professional to ensure that you don’t hurt your horse. Classes are advised to ensure the best possible riding outcomes. It is also important for you own protection. If you are hurt your can always visit https://www.kry.care/.