Taking care of a horse is not straightforward, there are a lot of things you need to know in order to be able to care for them properly. However, Horses are wonderful animals and are certainly worth the time and effort you put into looking after them. All horse owners are expected to protect their horse from suffering, injury, disease, and pain. This is your duty as a horse owner and there are many things you need to do to ensure your horse stays healthy and in good condition. You should check your horse on a daily basis for signs of illness or injury and seek veterinary treatment as soon as there is a cause for concern. There's a lot to learn when it comes to caring for a horse. From teeth and hoof maintenance to parasite prevention, joint care, and grooming. Before you take on a horse, you must seriously consider whether you have the time to dedicate to keeping your horse happy and healthy. Too many horses get neglected because their owners don't have time for them. If you are thinking of getting a horse then you need to know about horse healthcare. Speak to equine experts and your vet to get an idea of some of the things you will need to do. Below you will find some helpful advice and tips on caring for your horse. Here is our complete guide to horse healthcare. VaccinationsVaccinating your horse will protect them against some of the common diseases in the UK. This is a very important part of their healthcare as some diseases can cause a lot of suffering and even be fatal. Most horses in the UK are vaccinated against equine influenza and tetanus, and many are also vaccinated against the equine herpes virus. ParasitesParasites are another health issue you need to be aware of and protect your horse against. There are preventative treatments for common parasites that horses get such as lice and tapeworm. However, there are hundreds of different parasites that can use your horse as a host. There are different prevention and treatment methods for some of the parasites that cause the most problems for horses. Speak to your vet about what preventative measures you can take to protect your horse from parasites. LamenessIt's important to recognise the signs of lameness because horses that become lame should not be worked and will need treatment. Obvious signs of lameness include limping, head bobbing, dragging the feet and difficulty walking. Lameness can be in the legs or also in other parts of the body. One of the biggest causes of lameness in horses in the UK is laminitis. Lameness can also be caused by ligament and tendon damage, fractures, poor balance, and joint diseases. FeetHorses can often develop problems with their feet, and they require a fair amount of maintenance. Owners should inspect their horse's feet on a daily basis to check for any issues. Things you should look out for include cracks, punctures, injuries, and growths. If a horse doesn't receive treatment for problems with their feet they can end up in absolute agony and unable to walk. Horses need their feet picked out regularly, and before and after every ride if possible. You should check their feet after a ride anyway to check nothing has become lodged in their foot and they haven't suffered any injuries. All owners should have their horse seen by a farrier or blacksmith every four to six weeks. Their shoes should be fitted properly by a Farriers' Registration Council approved farrier. GroomingHorses also need to be groomed on a regular basis to keep their coat in tip-top condition. Grooming helps to remove dirt and dust, is good for your horse's skin and it helps to improve your relationship. Grooming involves brushing your horse's body in the direction of the coat, picking out the feet and brushing their mane and tail. All horse owners should have the necessary grooming equipment in order to be able to groom their horse properly. Dental careIt's also important to look after your horse's teeth. In the wild they would naturally wear down their teeth because of the sort of things they eat but when fed horse feed by humans their teeth can wear unevenly. Your horse may need to have their teeth filed occasionally. Horses can also develop a range of different dental problems so you should get their teeth checked regularly. ExerciseAnother key part of keeping your horse healthy is exercise. Horses need to be exercised properly in order to stay fit and healthy. Leaving them in the field is not enough as they don't get enough exercise. Exercise improves both their physical and mental wellbeing. Fly protectionHorses have to put up with flies, and it can make them very uncomfortable. Flies are particularly bad in the summer when the weather is hotter. You can help to protect your horse from flies by using a fly repellent spray or buying them a fly mask and Fly sheets. We have a wide range of horse health care products for horse owners. Click here to browse through all our health products for horses and take advantage of our latest deals. DietWhat you feed your diet also plays a big part in their overall health. It's important to keep your horse at a healthy weight and ensure they don't become over or underweight. It's worth investing in a high-quality horse feed to provide your horse with the very best nutrition. We sell a wide range of horse feed and also healthy treats for horses. to browse through our selection of horse supplies.
