Skip to Content

The Horse Care Basics Every Horse Owner Should Be Aware Of

Horses are beautiful animals that have been a part of human life for centuries.

Caring for a horse can be a demanding and difficult task.

However, it is important to know the basics before getting involved in this type of work as it can save you time and money in the long run.

Know what to feed your horse, how to groom them, how much they should work out, and more!

The Horse Care Basics Every Horse Owner Should Be Aware Of

Nutritional Needs

The first thing you need to know about caring for a horse is its nutritional needs.

Horses are herbivores and as such, their diet should be mostly composed of hay, grass, and oats.

Make sure your horse has access to fresh water at all times and that they are fed a diet that meets their nutritional needs.

There are different types of horse feeds at forageplus.co.uk that offer plenty of nutritional value for your horse.

There are many different kinds of horse feeds available on the market today depending on what you want out of your horse’s diet.

There are grains like oats and barley as well as legumes like beans or peas which offer energy sources to horses when they need it most – during cold weather or times where there isn’t much food available outside in nature due to winter conditions or drought seasons where food is sparse. 

These types of feeds are excellent for conditioning a horse to build muscle and create energy reserves that can aid in recovery from an injury or illness.

Horses also need plenty of fresh water at all times, regardless of whether they are inside or outside animals. 

Person brushing a horse

Grooming

Horses need to be groomed regularly to keep them healthy and looking their best.

Grooming removes dirt, sweat, and dead hair from the coat and prevents the development of skin problems.

It is also a good time to check for injuries or lumps.

There are many different types of brushes available for different parts of the body and there are also combs available as well.

A curry comb is an excellent tool for removing mud and loose hair from the horse’s coat, while a stiff brush works to remove dirt and dust particles from the hard-to-reach places like between the horse’s legs or armpits.

Hoof pick should be used to clean out any debris that may have collected in the hoof and a soft cloth can be used to polish the coat and give it a healthy shine.

A white horse running

Workout

Horses need exercise to stay healthy and strong.

They should be worked out for at least an hour a day, but no more than two hours per day.

Overworking a horse can lead to health problems.

If you are just starting, it is important to have professional supervision when working with a horse for the first time.

If possible, try to get your horse used to being ridden on trails in wide-open spaces.

This will give them some experience under the saddle before taking them onto more difficult terrain or into the competition so they are less likely to become afraid or agitated.

Taking Care of A Horse’s Overall Wellbeing

A horse’s spirit is what makes it so special.

However, this can also make them difficult animals to handle at times.

To have a good relationship with your horse, you need to use gentle handling with animals when possible.

Whenever you are cleaning or putting on equipment or tack, be sure that the process happens gradually and never in an abrupt manner as this will scare the animal. 

Always speak in a quiet voice when approaching a horse so they are not startled by loud noises before tying up their feet for surgery or clipping their hair.

When putting on armored clothing like polo wraps, gradually remove any existing wraps and then slowly put the new ones over the top until you reach the desired tightness and then secure them into place with bandage pins or straps. 

Brown horse standing on a mountain side

Above all, remember that horses are living creatures and should be treated as such.

Make sure they have a clean place to live, plenty of food and water, and regular exercise.

If you can provide all of those things, your horse will be happy and healthy!

Horses are big animals that require a lot of care.

It is important to know the basics before getting involved in this type of work.

Horses need hay, freshwater, and oats to stay healthy.

They also need to be groomed regularly, worked out for at least an hour per day, and handled gently.

If you can provide all of those things, your horse will be happy and healthy!

Molli Taylor

Sunday 30th of January 2022

thanks for this! i had a horse growing up but didn't do a lot of his care. we are looking for a property with room for horses now!

Love these woofs?

Help spread our waggie tales. You're pawesome for doing it!