Horse care goes beyond brushing your horse and cleaning its stall. If you want a truly healthy and happy animal, there are additional steps you must take. Keep reading to learn what those steps are.
Add a Magnesium Supplement to Their Routine
Most experts recommend giving horses a magnesium supplement throughout the year. Not only is this a good addition for the so-called "crazy mares," it can be beneficial for all horses. Some tend to become affected in the springtime because of a magnesium deficiency in the faster-growing springtime grasses.
While this is more noticeable in mares, you should understand – it is not a behavior issue; it is a real chemical imbalance. Magnesium affects both muscle and nerve function and helps with calcium absorption in the body.
Feed Your Horse a High Forage Diet
Forage is an essential part of an equine diet. Most people know this, but it is something that is becoming more accepted through the industry. While this is true, it does not hurt to mention it again.
Horses have the natural instinct to forage. They were designed to do this 24/7. While the best option is a grass pasture, if the grass is too low quality, they will not get the required nutrients. However, there is too high quality, as well. This is one of the top reasons that alfalfa hay should never be given to your horse alone.
Forage that is too-high quality can fill a horse up too quickly, causing bloating. It means they have to eat much less each day to meet nutritional requirements. If this happens, it may leave the horse's stomach empty for a few hours per day, leading to acid build-up, irritability, and colic.
The best option is a mold- and dust-free medium quality grass for any non-pasture diet. If you have a horse who eats too fast, use a feed net until they learn they do not have to eat so fast.
Feed Loose Salt
Salt is a crucial part of a horse's diet. It is an electrolyte and has the necessary sodium to balance a horse's diet.
It is not recommended that you use a salt block. That is because horses are not that good at licking, which means if you only use a block, they may not get the recommended daily intake.
Hose Your Horse Off After Every Ride
When you hose your horse off with water, two things happen. All the sweat is cleaned off the horse's coat, and the cold water helps to soothe achy and tired muscles. Using cold water for around five to 10 minutes is plenty and will help prevent stiffness.
When it comes to caring for your horse, there are a lot of factors to consider. Keep the tips and information here in mind to ensure your horse gets the care they need to live a healthy and happy life.