Equine Care

Looking after a horse, or pony, is not a simple task and before you take it on, it's best to understand some of the basics. And throughout this article, when talking about horses, it also is relevant to ponies.

Firstly, where are you going to keep it. Outside is one of the best choices, if you can find a suitable place that is.

Horses at grass, often with other horses with them, are said to be more content. They have company, a chance to explore their surroundings and can graze, helping the final feed bill.

But, there are a few downsides to be considered. Firstly, it can take more time to fetch your horse for its exercise and when you do get hold of it, it can be wet and muddy, needing some attention before a ride.

Also, not all ground is right for horses. The field has to offer good quality grazing and be safe from potential traps, including holes and poisonous plants. Horses cannot just be left to their own devices either; they need checking at least once a day, if not twice. And there are seasonal issues: grass does not grow all year round, so winter time will require hay and additional feedstuffs. And fresh, spring grass, can cause some horses digestion problems.

Also, the seasons come with various weather problems, which will usually require some sort of horse shelter. This will provide some protection from cold in the winter months and from the sun's glare in the summer months.

And ensure that there is a constant source of water for horses; one that is plentiful in all seasons. Animals do drink a surprisingly large amount of water and if they can't get a decent supply, their health will be adversely effected.

Check that the fencing is appropriate for horses, as there are a number of options, but some more effective than others. Simple wooden and rail fencing is regarded as very effective. Hedges, or walls, if they are substantial enough, also work well, but might be prone to being broken down and general decay. Electric fencing is more popular then ever, but really as a means of internally partitioning a field, rather than as a permanent and safe barrier. Don't use barded wire, or harsh wire fencing, as this causes harm to the horse.

And just back to the issue of the field, horses will quickly spoil an area of a field, so you might want to consider partitioning your field into sections, which allows you to 'rotate' the horses, providing them with a fresh piece of land on a regular basis.

Finally, on the issue of land, horses are prone to a wide range of poisonous plants, so it's best to do some basic research and find out what plants are to be avoided.

It is quite a long list and includes acorns, bracken, clover, deadly nightshade, foxglove, ground ivy, hemlock, iris, laburnum, meadow saffron, oak, pimpernel, ragwort, sorrel, thorn apple, woody nightshade and yew.

Okay, so outside might be best, but you can see it's not plain sailing. Housing your horse in a stable eliminates a lot of the problems associated with your horse being a in a field, but there are a also a few downsides. Bear in mind that your horses' natural habit is to graze and being locked in a stable deprives him of his natural environment. Unless you can devise strategies to occupy the horse during its time inside, otherwise they tend to adopt what's known as stable vices. This might be chewing wood, lying down, or stamping the ground. This can be helped by having other horses nearby, giving the horse plenty of attention and providing regular bundles of hay, so that it can at least have a sense of grazing/foraging.

This aside though, one of the great advantages of a stabled horse is that it can be quickly got ready for riding and it will be clean. With housing considerations covered, the next big thing to consider is feed.

As already highlighted, horses are grazing animals and for their digestive systems to work properly, they require forage and this should, ideally, make up at least half of their daily intake. And a horse will, depending on its age and lifestyle, eat about two per cent of their body weight every day.

Types of feed can vary, but is made up of forage (including grass and hay); horse nuts (and mixes); barley; bran; fruit; maize; oats; root vegetables; and, eggs. Again, clean and fresh water should be easily available. When to feed really comes down to your routine and the horses. Morning and evening are good times, and avoid feeding before exercise and directly after exercise.

Another point for consideration is looking after your horses during the summer months, when flies are at their worst. Horses don't like being bothered by flies and there are a number of sprays and ointments that you can purchase to ward off insects. You can also make your own - most rely on creating a pungent smell which deters the flies. You can also add a little cider vinegar to your horses' water. This has the effect of deterring flies.

And finally, don't forget to give your horse a good groom. This helps keep the horse's coat in good condition, will help stimulate circulation and also allow the groomer to inspect the skin for wounds, or growths.


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