Do you sometimes feel the need to return the pleasure, comfort, and convenience that you’re receiving from your horse? If so, here’s what you can do to make the life of your horse beautiful indeed.
THE SIMPLE PLEASURE OF FEEDING
Food is one of the simplest but greatest pleasures of horses so make sure that your horse always has all the food that it needs.
There are three types of food that your horse may eat. Pasture is the favorite meal of horses reaching adulthood and used for recreational purposes alone. Keep in mind however that the greenness of a field doesn’t automatically equate to richness in pasture.
Hay is another type of food for horses, but it’s typically fed to those used for domestic work. As hay is more affordable than other types of horse food, do make sure that you’re feeding the best quality of hay to your horses. Secondly, always store hay in a dry but well-ventilated area. Feeding your horse moldy hay can lead to various medical complications. Feeding your horse with hay alone isn't a sufficient diet so consider including another component in your horse’s diet to ensure that all its nutritional needs are met.
Lastly, there are grains or feeds which are specifically produced to provide nourishment for horses. If your horses subsist mainly from hay, make sure that you mix either a small or moderate amount of concentrates with it to give your horse the benefit of a complete meal. Feeding your horse with concentrates is especially important when they expend lots of energy everyday because of working or racing, or when they’re in a pregnant or nursing stage.
Abundant food will keep your horse healthy and happy and personally feeding your horse will strengthen the bond between you and your pet. As such, the act of feeding doesn’t only nourish your horse’s body but his heart as well!
WATER AS THE SOURCE OF LIFE
Horses are always thirsty, and they can consume up to 10 gallons of water everyday. As such, it’s important that you have a ready supply of water for your horses. During the winter, make sure that you place the water in heated buckets to prevent it from freezing.
SALT, MINERALS, AND SUGAR CUBES
Salt and minerals are also important factors in your horse’s diet. Consult your veterinarian as to what your horse should take to consume the necessary vitamins and minerals. Salt blocks and sugar cubes can be purchased from pet food stores. Feed your horses sugar cubes only as a reward because too much of this may cause your horse to suffer from diabetes.
EXERCISING YOUR HORSE
The amount of exercise your horse needs depends primarily on its role in life. If you are using it for competitive riding, you or your coach should determine what type of exercises it needs and how many times it should exercise every week. As for all other types of horses, daily exercise is encouraged to allow horses’ muscles to strengthen and not become affected by arthritis when they reach old age.
CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ HOOVES
Beginners are usually ignorant of what to do to take proper care their horses’ hooves. A horse’s hooves will strengthen and develop naturally if it gets sufficient exercise. For those that don’t, however, their hooves must be trimmed at least every two months. Secondly, use shoes for your horses only if necessary as various hoof problems are directly or indirectly linked to the use of shoes. Remember that just as it is with our feet, the hooves of horses are also the most abused part of their body so it’s important for us to give them the best care we can afford.
CARING FOR YOUR HORSES’ TEETH
Unlike human teeth, there is no end to periodontal growth for horses. As such, uneven use of their teeth can lead to the development of sharply pointed teeth which may cause chewing troubles. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you have your veterinarian check your horses’ teeth annually.
GROOMING FOR YOUR HORSE
Allow your horses to enjoy baths regularly. Afterwards, remember to brush their coat slowly, carefully, and thoroughly. Make sure that you use grooming products that are specifically designed for horses.
Above all thing else, the best way to make your horse’s life beautiful is by doing your best to make your horse feel beautiful by showering them with love!
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