Horses 101: The Basics For Owning A Horse

Owning a horse is a great privilege, but no one said it would be easy. Even if you opt to board your horse, there are still plenty of factors that go into raising one properly. If you're interested in owning a horse, here are some basic facts you should know. Housing There are two primary ways of creating shelter for your horse. The first way is to board your horse with an experienced stable. There, your horse can interact with others and stay in a monitored environment. Always check to ensure the housing and stables are in the proper condition. Some horses only need human companionship, however, and as long as you have a lot of land, you can set up a stable at your own home. Just make sure your horse has enough room to run, whether they're a spritely colt or an older horse with an arthritic knee brace. Ensure the stable has good ventilation, comfortable bedding, and a multilayered floor to keep the cold out. A stall should be cleaned daily. You should also include an outdoor shelter for when your horse roams to graze. Diet Horses primarily eat grass, hay, and oats though it's important to remove any poisonous plants from your pasture like foxglove. Even though there are over 400 breeds of domestic horse across the globe, all of these breeds are classified as grazers. Ensure your hay is free of dust and mold by storing it in a dry place with a proper cover. Talk to your veterinarian about the best type of hay for your horse. Acceptable types of hay include alfalfa, clover, and timothy. Keep in mind that horses eat between 2% and 4% of their body weight. This means a 1,000-pound horse will eat 20 pounds of hay per day and drink up to 10 gallons of water. Grooming Horses love to be scratched and stroked, but daily brushing is a necessity for frequent riders. Always brush your horse after a ride and be sure to check for ticks or other bites. If you don't ride your horse as often, try to brush your horse once a week. You should also give your horse the best horse blankets for cold winter nights or chillier autumn days. Just be sure to include a blanket liner for horses to protect their back from rubbing and friction. Horses may also show signs of discomfort. If you want to treat your horse to something special, think about getting it an arthritic knee brace to soothe its knees. For the best arthritic knee brace options, equine shoulder guard options, and horse hock wraps, visit Back on Track today.