Horses require a nutritional diet in order to stay healthy in both mind and body. The overall appearance tells alot about the health of the horse. The coat should be shiny and the skin supple when pinched should spring back into place. The eyes should be clear and bright with no tearing, The horse's weight should be evenly distributed, rather than in one place i.e. the belly. The gums should be a bright salmon color not pale, bluish or red. Horse droppings should be firm, and the urine a clear yellow color. Normal temperature is between 98-100 degrees and pulse between 35-40 beats per minute.
Clean dust free hay, a feeding of a balanced horse ration (depending on the amount of work the horse does.), Fresh and clean water, and a comfortable place to lie down. Hoof trimming, grooming, deworming, floating of the teeth and vaccinations need to be regular. Hooves and teeth are the most neglected parts of horses today. A safe enclosed area large enough for the horse to exercise and run.
My mare Kari foundered severely when she was a 3 year old from a feed room door that was left open. After months of corrective shoeing and dietary care she became sound again. She is 15 now and shows no symptoms of lameness nor has she had any relapse. Her ride is smooth and collected.
Horses get a thick coat in the winter time. Providing adequate shelter where they can get out of the snow and rain is vital. They can tolerate the cold as long as they have protection. Water needs to be in an accessible area at all times for the horse. You may need to put a heater in to take away the ice. Eating snow is not sufficient. I have heard some ignorant people who think horses get enough water from snow. Have you ever tried to melt down a bucket of snow and see how much water you get? Not even a couple of cups. Horses drink between 4-10 gallons of water daily. In the winter I give my horse a warm bran mash once a month which they relish.
Grooming is beneficial in many ways. Horses can be seen in the pasture grooming each other. It removes loose hair which is itchy, removes dirt, stimulates the natural oils in the skin, and removes fly eggs which can cause intestinal disorders. My horses love being brushed and I feel it also creates a bond of trust between animal and owner.
Please check my links page for more information about the care of horses.
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