Your horse depends on your love, care, and commitment. You’ll show your love through grooming, petting, riding, and the occasional treat. You must also show your commitment by providing for their needs 365 days a year, in good weather and bad.
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1. Routine horse care is a significant and ongoing expense
The cost of buying a horse is frequently substantially less than the annual maintenance expenses. Before purchasing an equine companion, make sure you are honest with yourself about your ability to pay for high-quality care.
2. Horses need a regular supply of food and water
The majority of the time, they require supplemental grain feedings twice a day in addition to daily hay or pasture consumption. A horse of typical size will consume around 20 pounds of food daily and at least eight gallons of liquid. Horses need to graze or nibble frequently throughout the day rather than eating one or two meals a day since their stomachs are quite small and their digestive processes are surprisingly delicate.
3. Horses need hoof maintenance
Plan to employ a farrier (blacksmith) for routine shoeing or hoof trimming every six to eight weeks.
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4. Horses need veterinary care
Your horse has to receive tetanus and other disease vaccinations at least once a year. Additionally, routine dental care will be given by the veterinarian. Keep in mind that treating medical crises, which are always a possibility, can run into thousands of dollars.
5. Be aware of parasites
Horses must be on an anti-parasite regimen as directed by your equine practitioner because they are frequently exposed to intestinal worms through the grass they feed on. Regular and prompt treatment is essential for your horse’s health since equines that carry a significant load of worms can suffer major diseases or even die as a result.
6. Don’t forget about shelter
Horses need constant access to a dry, safe, comfortable shelter to protect them from rain, wind, and snow. In warm and sunny weather, the shelter you supply will provide your companion with much-needed shade and relief from biting insects. At a minimum, you should have a well-constructed, three-sided shed into which your horse can retreat at all times. You will need to remove manure from the stall or shelter every day.
7. Horses need exercise
Your horse should have access to a paddock or pasture where he can unwind and stroll in addition to the activity he will receive when you are riding him. A horse should never be kept inside a stall all day unless the vet specifically advises it. A robust, strong fence should surround the pasture to keep the horse contained and protected. Barbed wire is not a suitable material for fences because it has resulted in several fatal injuries.
