Horse Care

Owning a horse can be a very rewarding experience, especially when you take the time to understand your horse and relate to them on horse terms, not people terms. To get the most out of your relationship with your horse, you'll want to build trust between yourself and your horse.

Like any relationship, trust occurs when there's a history of positive interactions. Babies trust their parents because their parents take care of their needs, and the same holds true with horses. Building a trust with your horse is the bedrock of a long happy relationship.

Horses may be large animals, but they have small, very tender tummies. Horses are grazing animals, which means they eat small amounts almost continuously. If your horse spends a a lot of time confined and fed according to schedule, you'll need to be especially careful about what food you give her and when you feed her. A horse's age and breed affect food consumption, as does the weather (is it summer or winter), kind of shelter (climate controlled barn?), and the condition of her teeth. So, while it's important to feed and groom your horse, just caring for her physical needs isn't enough.

You'll also want to learn the basics of horse communication. Since horses don't talk...can't communicate with words or even that many sounds, you'll want to pay close attention to their body language--ears, eyes & face, and tails--and the way they interact with other horses and people.

Spend an afternoon watching horses and see what you can learn. Watch their ears, which usually point where the horse's attention is. Check out the expression on his face. Is his mouth relaxed or tight, is his wrinkled and grumpy or is he "mouthing" hoping you'll take a moment to pet him in his favorite spot. Just like a dog, the way a horse switches his tail conveys emotion. Take your cues from your horse and really get to know him. Spend time understanding what personality quirks make him unique.

Horses are just like dogs and cats--they can't tell us when or where they hurt. And, because throughout history horses have been grazing animals who were preyed upon by animals on the hunt, they don't want to show potential weakness or illness. That's why people who care for horses need to be particularly observant--paying attention to a horse's appetite, body language, and gait.

Caring for a horse is a big commitment, but it can also be very rewarding. If you have a horse, spend plenty of time keeping a careful eye on him or her, and if you have a problem make sure your veterinarian is one who is experienced in equine health matters.