• Home	• FAQs
• Site Map	Weather
• Contacts	Weather

We Accept:

Directory Listings:

Pick of the Best!
Josh Nichol - www.joshnichol.com

The Basics Of Horse Care:

Last Modified: January 10, 2002

This guide has been developed for the “Pleasure Horse” Owner, as a guide to better horse care. It is for owners who want to know more about providing horses a healthy, longer life. It has been provided at this location, courtesy of Masterfeeds. A link to the Masterfeeds site is available at the bottom of every page.

Horse tack and equipment can be expensive - but it pays to buy the best you can afford, then keep it in top condition. Clean, well-fitting tack will protect the horse from skin problems and both horse and rider from potential injury.

Saddles can be either "English" or "Western" style, depending on the style of riding. Either way, a top-quality, well-fitting saddle will increase the enjoyment of riding for both the horse and rider. A saddle pad should be used under the saddle to protect the horse, to absorb sweat and keep the saddle clean.

The bridle and bit are the key communication links between the rider and mount. They should be as simple as possible, while maintaining control of the horse as required.

Protective blankets and boots are often used. Blankets keep the horse warm and dry during inclement weather, while boots (actually worn on the lower legs and top of the hooves) are used for protection during exercise. Many different types are available for specific purposes.

Ask an experienced horse person to show you how to choose tack to suit your skill level.

A well-stocked cleaning kit should be an important part of your tack; a bucket, stiff brush, sponge, cleaning cloths, saddle soap and saddle oil. Clean tack after every ride, and soap and oil the leather at least once a week.

Grooming

Hair coat condition often reflects the health status of your horse. Improperly balanced rations may contribute to rough hair coat. Masterfeeds horse feeds are formulated to promote healthy hair coat.

Horses that are kept primarily outside actually benefit from less grooming, because the oils in their coat help keep them warm and dry. Simply pick out their hooves and remove mud and stains, particularly where tack will lie.

Stabled horses require thorough grooming to remove dirt, massage the muscles, and improve the appearance of the coat, mane and tail. It is best done after exercise, when the horse is warm. (Note: It's also a good idea for you to wear steel-toed shoes as a safety precaution!)

Here is a grooming "checklist":

Start by thoroughly cleaning the underside of the hoof with a hoof pick, making sure to remove caked dirt or manure next to the shoe.
Remove dried mud with a curry comb, except on tender parts.
Brush the entire coat and massage the skin with a body brush, working from the crest of the neck, and working back and down. When you brush sensitive skin areas, stand close and to the side of the horse so it can't kick you. Finish one side, then do the other. Brush the mane and tail by starting with a small portion, and adding more hairs as the brushing smoothes out. Do the face last.
Use a damp (but not wet) sponge to clean first around the eyes, then the lips and nostrils.
Use a separate sponge to clean the area around the underside of the tail.
It's a good idea to have a separate grooming kit for each horse, to avoid transferring disease or infections.

Lactation is a severe nutritional stress on a mare. An average-size mare (500kg) can produce as much as 20kg of milk per day at the peak of lactation which occurs at about eight weeks after foaling. She is expected to produce milk, a rich source of nutrients for the foal, for up to six months. The mare must be fed to meet her milk production plus her normal body maintenance requirements. Failure to meet the mare's needs will result in reduced milk for the foal and/or excessive body weight loss by the mare.

The Importance Of Exercise

Regular exercise is important for the long-term health of a horse, especially those kept primarily in the stable. Horses which have access to outdoor paddocks have more room to move freely, and will frequently run. Even so, they will benefit from the increased exercise and companionship of being ridden or harnessed. This is also a good time to check over the general health of the horse. Does it move freely, without favouring one leg? Are other signs of good health evident? Run through a mental checklist each time you exercise the horse... and check the tack as well, to make sure everything is in top condition. Let common sense be your guide most of the principles of good exercise that apply to humans also apply to horses:

Start out slowly, giving the muscles time to loosen up. If the horse has been stabled, walk it a bit before climbing into the saddle.

Work gradually into more strenuous exercise. Don't risk exhausting the horse, as this could result in injury.

Allow time for a "cooling down" period, working back into a walk. Make sure the horse has water available during exercise. After prolonged exercise allow the horse to eat hay for 15-30 minutes before watering. Feed grain or horse ration later. This will reduce digestive upset.

Remove the tack soon after completion of exercise, and groom the horse to remove sweat and massage the skin and muscles. Check for injuries prior to putting the horse back into the stall or paddock. Remember too that horses are social animals. Praise and a few words of encouragement will be appreciated.

The above content has been provided by and is copyright ©Masterfeeds.
It may not be reproduced without Masterfeeds written authorization.
Reprinted on this site with the kind permission of Beverley
at the Calgary, Alberta Masterfeeds location.

Masterfeeds
Big enough to SERVE, small enough to CARE!
Regional Head Office: 101 - 1921 Mayor Magrath Drive
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Ph: (403) 327-2555 Fax: (403) 327-0550
Calgary: 1-800-463-5509 Didsbury: 1-800-523-6169
Edmonton: 1-800-663-8268 Red Deer: 1-800-665-0394
Picture Butte: (403) 732-5633 Taber: (403) 223-4444
Regina 1-877-929-8696 Saskatoon 1-800-667-4757
Contact us for the Dealer Nearest YOU!