Owning a horse means taking on a big responsibility, but that is not the only thing which you must give to it. Owning a horse also means committing your energy, time, finances and resources. A number of details have to be considered before deciding to own a horse, as basic horse care is not simple and requires a lot of thought and effort. If done correctly, the end result is not only oddly satisfying but also rewarding.

Following are some tips for basic horse care that you must know, so that your horse is happy and well cared for.

Strong and Tight Fencing

When it comes to fencing, barbed wire or even field fencing should never be used in areas where horses are kept, especially in small confined areas or paddocks. Barbed wire can only be used for cattle, as because of their thick skins, they react differently than horses when caught in a fence.

Whatever type of fencing is chosen, always remember to reinforce the fence using with a tight, hot wire along the inside. Also, perform a daily inspection of the fence so you can discover and repair problems, such as protruding nails and loose rails before they become a problem.

Providing Clean Pasture

This is something that will ensure the happiness of your horse, which is why you have to make sure that the pasture in which the horse spends its time is clean and horse-friendly. This means that there shouldn’t be any sharp objects lying about, for which you will have to regularly inspect your pastures. Other than this, the pastures should be free from plants that could potentially poison the animal.

Clean Drinking Water

A horse drinks about 8-12 gallons of water in a day, which is why the watering container should contain clean and fresh drinking water at all times. You must also make sure that the water container is rust free, doesn’t have any sharp edges and is scrubbed clean regularly.

You have to be particularly careful in the winter time and ensure that your horse gets access to water of just the right temperature.

Freedom from Competition

Male animals of any species are territorial by nature and don’t tolerate others in their territory very easily. This is why you must be especially careful when planning out living and eating arrangements, if there is more than one horse. Feeding troughs of all animals must be separate, which will prevent injuries, fights and weight-loss problems in the horses.

Adding Supplements to Their Diet

Available at your local tackeria and online, you can find some of the best quality grade mineral and vitamin supplements for your horse, which will help make up for any deficiency and provide extra care in areas such as; digestion, joint health, respiratory, and hoof care etc.

Vaccinations

Having your horse vaccinated is probably a very good idea to make them immune against certain diseases that horses can normally contract. For this purpose, you can consult the veterinarian in charge of your horse’s health who will be able to guide you better in terms of finding a vaccination program for your horse.

Taking care of an animal as majestic as a horse isn’t very easy on your own, which is why, you should employ all the help that you can get. After all, a healthy and happy horse will win more races for you.