Expert Tips for Keeping Your Horse Healthy
Horses are no doubt some of the most incredible animals on the planet. They are incredibly strong and can take you from point A to point B, tens of miles away. They are also quite fast, with an average speed of more than forty miles an hour. This is not to mention that for many years, these equine animals have been a major source of entertainment around the globe in what is popularly known as horse racing. Some breeds are particularly rare in many areas, making them a wonderful attraction for tourists, especially in leisure and recreational amenities.
Now, whichever reason you keep your horse for, you will definitely want to ensure they stay strong and healthy. It is a responsibility that you owe to this fine creature. This means ensuring they are well-fed, groomed, exercised, and regularly tended to by the vet. As if enough hasn’t been said, here are some expert tips for keeping your horse healthy.
1. Take Care of Her Nutrition
The number one way to keep your horse healthy is by ensuring they are well few and nutritionally nourished. In this case, you need to understand the appropriate dietary needs for your horse. This means ensuring that your mare or stallion gets adequate amounts of the five main equine essential nutrients, which include starch, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water. Hay and grains such as corn are a staple for horses, being incredible sources of protein, fats, and fiber.
Also, horses are natural grazers but when you are out shopping for your horse hay, make sure you find a reputable grower who grows quality hay. Look for leafy hay. It is easy digested compared to stemmy grass, which stimulates colic. On top of that, make sure that the grass is stored on surfaces where it cannot draw ground moisture. Also, there are different hay types to pick from. Free choice hay stimulates their guts and mental state, whereas alfalfa hay provides high energy.
2. Supplementation
Since horses are highly active animals, the diet needs to include meals that promote muscle healing and joint conditioning. They can get this from a balanced diet, but they may need more if they experience issues such as pain, stiffness, and inflammation. This is where horse supplements such as devil’s claw come in handy. Especially for older horses that suffer joint issues; this supplement from the powdered root of devil’s claw plant can have a range of benefits for your horse. It is known to alleviate stiffness, soothe inflammation, ease pain, and provide comfort from bruises or bumps that cause pain for your equine friend. 25 - 60 grams a day of devil’s claw can do the trick.
3. Allow Movement
There is a thin line between your horse’s movement and their mental health, as well as their physical health. Be it at liberty, under a saddle, or with a handler… let them move! Standing round the clock does not make the horse any healthier. It makes them more prone to health issues. Their movement enhances their guts, strengthens their feet, lubricates their joints, and takes care of the musculoskeletal health. Alternate the activities with your horse to break the monotony. You can do lungeing today, riding tomorrow, and hand grazing the day after. If need be, you can employ a horse trainer to keep your horse exercised as they spend time with and interact with them.
4. Provide Mental Stimulation
Just like humans or any other animal, horses have emotions too. They need to be happy and wired to positive energy. A bored horse is unhappy, and their mental health is wired to their general health. Provide sanity and let them be social. Let them socialize and allow them to graze out. Locking them up all day can make them pale and moody. You can also consider buying a few toys for your horse to fight boredom and keep them mentally occupied. All this is in pursuit of making them jolly.
5. Create a Safe Environment
The same way we take time to go round our homesteads to look out for potential dangers and even get security guards to watch over our property is the same way you are supposed to make a habit of inspecting the stable. Look out for poisonous plants, hay strings, unsafe sections, sharp objects, and his blanket. Make sure his stable is pest free and is cleaned regularly to avoid the invasion of any parasites. On a similar note, ensure that you have a strict vaccination schedule. With that, you will have to organize that with your vet. He has the professional skills to understand what is best for your favorite animal. Dental care should also be consistent.
Finally, you will want to invest time in your horse. People keep horses for a different reason but whatever reason it is, make sure that you have a connection! With a strong bond, you can communicate with your horse easily. You can read his subtle cues when in pain, frightened, uneasy, or sick. Take your time to groom your horse as you inspect the body in case of an injury and pain. This connection will also come in handy when teaching your horse basic manners and as you have fun together.
