It is always a responsibility to have an animal, especially when the animal is a horse. So, you may be wondering, what is horse care like? In general, these animals require a lot of space, as well as plenty of exercise and food. Below, we will explain in detail how to care horses successfully.
How much food does a horse need?
Considering that these are large animals, it can be difficult to know how much feed they require. First and foremost, horses eat two or three times a day and if they are of a medium size and have a regular physical activity, we should provide them with adequate food taking into account their weight and activity.
However, another fundamental point in the care of horses is the type of feed given to them.
We must be careful not to give them mouldy or dusty hay, as this could cause health problems such as colic or even respiratory ailments. On the other hand, it is good to respect a feeding schedule and not to be too close to any physical activity.
Tips for horses: hydration is the key point.
Horses that are well cared for enjoy good hydration, drinking between 25 and 55 litres a day. If you are a carer of these beautiful animals, you should always provide them with plenty of clean water; the summer season is when they need it most, due to the heat.
Considering the weather, it is important that the horse’s drinking containers are full and clean, as it is possible for the water to freeze in winter. Therefore, we must pay attention to this so that water is always available.
How horses are cared for: their fur
A key point when caring for horses is to keep their fur in good condition. This is achieved by constantly brushing their tails and manes, using a root brush or scraper and a grin brush, which is softer and can be used to brush both legs and head.
If during this process, entangled areas of fur arise, we recommend buying a special horse detangler, as we can wreak havoc on their fur, which will then take months to grow back, if we use a pair of scissors.
Horse care: exercise
If we want to have horses that are well cared for, it is necessary that they are exercised for at least one hour 4 days a week. Also, our horse should warm up before starting to exercise; a 10-minute walk is enough to move on to a trot and then we can gallop.
In addition, just as we need a rest from an exercise routine, the same applies to horses: we must give them at least one day to relax.
Hoof maintenance
A crucial factor when caring for horses is paying attention to their hooves, as this is a delicate area that is prone to infection if they spend a lot of time in water and mud. In the latter case, fungal growth is the order of the day and you can tell if you see a white pasty substance on the underside of the hooves.
By placing the horse in a dry place, the fungus is likely to disappear, but in some cases, a veterinarian is needed to prescribe an effective treatment.
However, among other horse care tips, hoof cleaning should not be neglected.
How often should this be done?
Depending on the horse’s activity: if the horse is exercising in areas with a lot of stones and weeds, it is best to check the hooves after the ride, as it is possible that something has been stuck in them.
Otherwise, once a day will be sufficient. We can clean the hooves with special brushes, and it is also advisable to apply some grease with the help of a brush, to avoid dryness and excess humidity.
Finally, every 6 weeks it is a good idea to have the hooves filed and trimmed by a farrier.
In short, horse care involves various elements that require our full attention to keep these four-legged friends in optimum condition.
At Equspaddock our passion is horses, so we offer equestrian equipment and accessories to keep them with a good level of physical activity, and thus, contribute to their good maintenance.
