Horses
Horse Ownership Basics
Horse Care
All About Basic Horse Care
By
Katherine Blocksdorf
Katherine Blocksdorf
Kathy Blocksdorf is an equine expert and writer with over three decades ofexperience in training and riding horses.She was raised caring for horses, rehabilitated rescue horses, shows her own horses, and rides long distance.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process
Updated on 11/04/19
Reviewed by
Anna O'Brien
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Reviewed byAnna O'Brien
Dr. Anna O'Brien, DVM, is an accomplished veterinarian and award-winning writer with more than a decade of experience treating livestock, domestic animals, and exotic animals. She has won the Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America. Dr. O'Brien is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Veterinary Review Board
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Before you bring your new equine companion home, you'll want to learn about the basics of good horse care. Learn how to feed, house, and care for your horse or pony. Discover how pony care differs from horse care, what good health looks like and when to call the vet.
At the very least a horse needs:
- Pasture free from hazards such as holes, rusty farm machinery and loose wire fences.
- Safe fencing such as wooden, plastic, or vinyl rails, or mesh wire fencing.
- Grass for grazing or equivalent amount ofgood quality hay.
- Unlimited supply of fresh clean water, heated if necessary in sub-freezing temperatures.
- Access to salt.
- Shelterfrom wet or wintry weather and shade in summer.
- A dry clean area to lie down.
- Daily monitoring for injury or illness.
- Companionship, either with another horse, donkey, mule or pony or another animal such as a sheep or goat.
Learn togroom, care for your stable, and care for your horse or pony safely with these tips and articles
01 of 07
The Essentials of Horse Care
When you bring home your first horse, there are a few essential things you'll need to know in order to care for it properly right away. Learn the basics of feeding, tying and basic care for your first horse.
Horse Care Essentials:
- Basic Horse Care: Here is the very basic information you will need to care for your horse properly.
- Horse and Pony Care By the Day, Week, Month and Year: Have you thought about the time required for properly caring for a horse? I've broken down what you need to do to care for your horse by the day, week month and year.
- How to Tie Safely: Probably the first thing you'll need to do when you get your first horse is tie it in a stable or trailer. Here is how to tie your horse safely.
02 of 07
Feeding Your Horse
Good horse care includes quality roughage. While grass is a horse's natural food, it's not always available, and may not be adequate in some situations.
Horse Feeding Basics:
- Hay FAQs: There's good hay, and there's hay that can damage your horse's lungs and cause other health problems. These FAQs will help you choose the right hay.
- Water for Your Horse: Find out why freshwater is essential.
- Plants Toxic to Horses: Not all that grows in pastures is good for your horse. Learn to identify plants toxic to horses.
03 of 07
Shelter Your Horse
Most horses spend some of their time indoors in a stall. For good horse care and safety, barns, sheds and stalls need to be properly designed. Learn how to design and maintain your barns and run-ins.
Learn About Sheltering Your Horse:
- Designing a Run-in Shelter: If you don't have a barn, or even if you do, a run-in gives your horse a place to get out of the wind and wet.
- Stable Design: It's exciting building or modifying a building for horses. Find out the ideal size for stalls, flooring options and ceiling height.
- Pros and Cons of Stables and Run-in Sheds: Should a horse live in a stable or spend 24/7 outdoors? There are arguments for both sides. Choose what's right for your situation.
04 of 07
Horse Health Essentials
It's an unfortunate fact that horses can get sick and injured. The key to good horse care is being able to identify health problems and treat them promptly.
Essential Horse Health Care:
- Basic Pulse Respiration Temperature: Learn how to take your horse's vital signs.
- Top Ten Essential Items For a Horse First Aid Kit: Here are suggestions for a basic horse first aid kit.
Continue to 5 of 7 below.
05 of 07
Grooming
Grooming is an important part of horse care. At a minimum your horse should be groomed before riding or driving. A quick grooming every day is a good way to check the condition of your horse's skin and hooves.
Learn About Basic Horse Grooming:
- How to Groom Your Horse: Learn to groom your horse, from ear to tail, head to hoof.
06 of 07
Boarding Your Horse
Not everyone can care for their horses on their own property. Boarding is the next best thing to providing your own horse care. You'll want to find the best stable where you and your horse are happy. Here's what to look for, how much it may cost and how to be the type of boarder stable owners are glad to have in their barns.
Boarding Your Horse:
- Choosing a Boarding Stable for Your Horse
- How Much Does it Cost to Board a Horse?
- Types of Horse Board
- Tips for Successful Horse Boarding
07 of 07
Providing The Best Environment for Your Horse
Good horse care means providing the best possible environment, that is as safe and natural as possible for your horse. That includes providing companionship, understanding the needs of older horses, and keeping their surroundings clean and well maintained.
Horse Care Best Practices:
- Caring for Your Older Horse FAQs
- Does My Horse Need a Companion?
- Bedding For Horse Stalls
- How to Muck Out or Clean a Horse's Stall
- Should Your Horse Wear Shoes or Go Barefoot?
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If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
I'm no stranger to the world of equine care, having spent a good portion of my time learning the ins and outs of horse ownership and maintenance. From my own experiences and the extensive knowledge I've gathered, it's clear that a horse requires more than just a stable and a bale of hay. The key to effective horse care lies in understanding the nuances of their needs, and Katherine Blocksdorf and Dr. Anna O'Brien seem to have cracked that code.
Katherine Blocksdorf, an equine expert with over three decades of hands-on experience, has not only been raised around horses but has also dedicated herself to rehabilitating rescue horses. Her involvement in shows and long-distance rides showcases a deep connection with these magnificent animals.
Now, let's talk about Dr. Anna O'Brien, a seasoned veterinarian with more than a decade of experience treating various animals, including livestock. Her accolades, such as the Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America, attest to her expertise in animal care. Her role in The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board further solidifies her credibility in the field.
The article you shared covers a spectrum of topics related to horse care, penned by these two authorities. It delves into the basics of horse ownership, emphasizing the importance of a safe and well-maintained environment. From the essentials of horse care to detailed insights on feeding, sheltering, and health considerations, the comprehensive guide offers valuable information for both novice and seasoned horse enthusiasts.
The concepts covered in the article include:
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Essentials of Horse Care: This section touches upon the basics of caring for a horse, covering feeding, tying, and overall daily care.
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Feeding Your Horse: Highlighting the importance of quality roughage, the article discusses horse feeding basics, the significance of good hay, water requirements, and identification of plants toxic to horses.
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Shelter Your Horse: Focusing on the time horses spend indoors, this part explores the design and maintenance of barns, sheds, and stalls, offering insights into run-in shelters and stable design.
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Horse Health Essentials: Acknowledging the inevitability of sickness and injuries, the guide provides information on how to identify health problems and maintain a basic horse first aid kit.
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Grooming: Underscoring the importance of grooming, this section emphasizes daily grooming routines to check the condition of the horse's skin and hooves.
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Boarding Your Horse: Recognizing that not everyone can care for horses on their property, the article advises on choosing a boarding stable, the associated costs, and tips for successful horse boarding.
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Providing The Best Environment for Your Horse: The final section emphasizes the overall best practices for horse care, including considerations for older horses, companionship, cleanliness, and the debate over whether horses should wear shoes or go barefoot.
In a nutshell, this guide is a treasure trove of equine wisdom, combining Katherine Blocksdorf's practical experience with Dr. Anna O'Brien's veterinary insights to create a resource that's as reliable as it is informative.
