Basic Horse Care

Basic horse care is a necessary and rewarding part of owning a horse. Grooming, in particular, can be very soothing to both horse and owner, helping you to form that special bond that will last a lifetime.

Horses hooves need to be trimmed on a regular basis, usually once every 6 weeks.  If this is not done, it causes the horse to be off balance, which causes tendons & muscles to be at a different angle than they would normally be as the horse balances on overgrown hooves.  This improper stance in order to maintain balance leads to lameness, or crippling, of the horse.  Improper stance due to overgrown hooves doesn't only happen when the hooves haven't been trimmed for a very long time, it can begin to happen as soon as the hoof starts to grow.  Some horses naturally grow more hoof in one area than in others, causing a tilt effect.

Horses need to be wormed often

Paste wormers can be purchased at your nearby feed store.  Lung worms, in particular, damage the lung tissue, and can cause breathing problems and scarring in the lungs (permanent damage). Young horses should be fed adequate amounts and never be allowed to be under weight. Underfeeding can cause a young horses growth to be stunted. Studies show that a daily wormer, in addition to paste wormers, improve growth and coat condition of foals. Some people say they make the manes and tails grow longer, too. If you plan to show your horse, mane and tail growth might be something to think about. A good daily wormer is Strongid. It comes in pellet form. Ask your local feed dealer which daily wormer is right for your horse.
More information on when to worm  & worming the starved horse..

If your horse drops a lot of feed when eating, have your vet check his teeth to see if they need to be floated.  Horses teeth grow sharp points, which the vet must saw off while the horse is under an anesthetic, or without anesthetic. This can be performed outside the vets office, wherever the horse is stabled. It is not as painful as it sounds!

Colic is the number one killer of horses

There are many reasons for colic, including overfeeding. Make sure your horses feed is secured in a place your horse cannot reach, and never EVER feed anything that is moldy. Mold appears as an off-white fuzz on sweet feed and pellets. Mold appears as green mold or white, powdery fuzz on hay. If you suspect your horse is collicing, call your vet immediately. If you are unsure and can get a friend to come by and look at the horse quickly, that may be the best course of action. Of course, if the horse is down and squirming, you would want to call the vet immediately. If the horse is lethargic and hanging it's head down and you know it hasn't gotten into the feed storage or eaten way too much new, green grass, it isn't down and thrashing, that is when it would be appropriate to call a friend, just so that you don't have to pay for a needless farm call. Remember, colic is dangerous, so use your best judgment and don't rely completely on any information you read on a web site.

In the event of a severe hay shortage, beet pulp can be substituted for hay, or you can feed a "complete feed", which does not require hay.  Hay is important to horses because not only does it give them nutrition commonly left out of regular feed, it provides roughage which keeps the horses bowels working on a regular basis.

Checking your horses vital signs

Heart rate (pulse):

Count each "beat-beat" as one beat. Count for 15 seconds then multiply by 4. 34 to 40 bpm is normal. Don't forget that certain things will naturally elevate the pulse. Stress & pain, for example.

Temperature:

Normal is 100 to 101 degrees. The safest thermometer is one that can be attached to the tail. In the absence of that kind, a good one is the plastic digital one that you can get at almost any department store or pharmacy.

Respiration:

8 to 20 breaths is normal. Watch the flank area and count the breaths. When riding long distances, don't forget to check this often if you are doing a lot of cantering. A horse will run himself to death to please you.

Hydration:

Pinch the skin near the withers. It should take less than one second to go back in place. If it takes longer, your horse is probably dehydrated. Electrolytes are used to combat this problem in Endurance horses. Please read up on the use of electrolytes before using them.

Gut sounds:

If no stethescope is available, simply place your ear against the belly. Some sounds are normal, but excessive sounds or none at all could indicate possible colic. If you think that your horse may be collicing, look for more than one symptom. Call a friend and ask their opinion. If your horse is down and rolling and thrashing, you should call the vet immediately. If it is a minor sign, that is when you should call a friend and watch for more definant symptoms.

Muscle Tone:

Solidly rock hard muscle indicates cramp. The muscle shouldn't be quivering, either. If it does quiver, observe long enough to make sure there wasn't a fly bothering the horse in that particular area. Another type of muscle cramp is called a "stifle". This can look very alarming. Later, we will have some information on this condition, so please check back.

Gait:

Observe the way of going. Listen to the beats as his hooves strike the ground. Look at his shadow on the ground. If in doubt, dismount and observe from the ground. Always check your horses hooves for rocks both before and after riding. If traversing rocky areas, check more often. Carry a hoof pick on trail rides.

Please remember that your horse can't tell you when he is too hot, too tired, or too thirsty to go on. Be especially careful with the horse that isn't ridden often. If you only ride once a month, it won't be good for your horse to spend most of that time cantering or trotting. Please think of your horse as a friend and companion, treating him as you would like to be treated.

Hoof Care:

It is often said that it is the hoof that makes the horse. Indeed, the hoof supports every part of the horse. No hooves, no horse. Hooves should be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. Hooves that need special attention should be looked after every 6 weeks, possibly less, depending on the severity and type of condition. Please check our link to the Farriers Hoofcare Resource. It is filled with all sorts of information vital to the horse owner. If you are fortunate enough to have a happy, healthy horse, knowledge of hoof care is still the most important knowledge you can carry.

More information on hoof care  and specifics about hoof problems and related subjects..