How to Take Care of Horses (Without Getting Kicked in the Face)
So, you’ve got yourself a horse. You’re about to enter a world filled with majestic creatures, endless barn chores, and a financial commitment that rivals putting a kid through college. But hey, it’s worth it. Horses are incredible, and if you treat them right, they’ll carry you into the sunset like you’re in a Hollywood blockbuster. (Results may vary.)
Taking care of a horse isn’t just about throwing them a few apples and calling it a day. These big, beautiful beasts require proper care, attention, and an almost masochistic love for cleaning up poop.
1: Feeding Your Horse Like a Five-Star Chef
Horses don’t just eat hay and dreams. Well, mostly hay, but they also need other nutrients. The key to a happy, healthy horse is a balanced diet, and no, that doesn’t mean feeding them whatever’s leftover from your plate.
How to take care of horses – what you’ll need:
- Hay and pasture: The backbone of any horse’s diet. Make sure it’s good quality—moldy hay is a no-go unless you want a very expensive vet bill.
- Grain (but not too much!): Some horses need grain, some don’t. Talk to your vet before you turn your horse into a grain-guzzling maniac.
- Fresh water: Your horse drinks about 5-10 gallons a day. That’s a lot of water. Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Salt and minerals: Horses need salt, which is why you’ll often see a salt block hanging around. No, it’s not a weird horse snack; it’s essential.
Basically, think of your horse’s diet like your own: fresh, balanced, and not just Cheetos and sadness.
2: Cleaning Up (aka The Never-Ending Poop Saga)
Owning a horse is a lot like having a giant, judgmental dog that poops more than you ever thought possible. Cleaning up after them is a non-stop job, but someone’s gotta do it (spoiler alert: it’s you).
- Stall Cleaning: If your horse is in a stall, you’ll need to clean it daily. This involves removing poop, replacing dirty bedding, and questioning your life choices.
- Pasture Maintenance: If they’re outside, congratulations! The poop is still there, but at least it’s more “spread out.” You’ll still need to pick it up regularly.
- Grooming: Not exactly cleaning up poop, but still part of the whole “keeping things clean” vibe. Horses love a good brushing, and it helps keep their coats healthy.
The good news? Cleaning up after your horse is a great workout. The bad news? It never, ever ends.
3: Exercise – Because Lazy Horses Are Grumpy Horses
A bored horse is a bad idea. When they’re not getting enough exercise, they’ll entertain themselves in ways that range from adorable to straight-up destructive.
- Riding: This is the fun part! Take them out for a ride, whether it’s in an arena or on a scenic trail where you can pretend you’re in a Western.
- Lunging: Basically, making your horse run in circles on a long lead rope. It’s great for exercise, training, and making them slightly dizzy (but in a productive way).
- Turnout: Let your horse be a horse. Give them time outside to roam, roll in the dirt, and judge you from a distance.
Horses need movement to stay healthy and sane. Think of it like mandatory gym time—except they actually like it.
4: How to take care of horses: Vet and Hoof Care… Because You Like Having a Functional Horse
If you’re thinking, “Eh, my horse seems fine, I’ll skip the vet,” congratulations! You’ve just made a terrible decision. Horses require regular health checkups, and their hooves? Oh, buddy. You better get used to hoof maintenance.
- Regular Vet Visits: Horses need vaccinations, dental checkups, and routine exams. Yes, horses need dentists. And yes, that’s weird.
- Hoof Care: A farrier (aka horse foot specialist) should trim or shoe your horse’s hooves every 6-8 weeks. Otherwise, their feet turn into nightmare fuel.
- Deworming: Horses get worms. It’s gross, but it happens. Your vet will help you set up a deworming schedule to keep things under control.
Taking care of a horse’s health is like maintaining a very expensive, very loveable car that occasionally bites.
Step 5: Love, Attention, and Bribery (Mostly Bribery)
At the end of the day, your horse isn’t just a pet—it’s a partner. The best way to build trust is through time, patience, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of treats.
- Spending Time Together: Horses recognize and bond with people who spend time with them. Hang out, groom them, talk to them (yes, really).
- Training: Even if you’re not riding every day, work on groundwork and basic manners. A horse that respects you is less likely to drag you through the mud.
- Treats: Carrots, apples, and horse-friendly snacks go a long way in building a relationship. But don’t overdo it unless you want a 1,200-pound beggar following you around.
How to take care of horses – final thoughts: is it worth it?
Taking care of a horse is a commitment. It’s time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes frustrating. But it’s also rewarding, magical, and, if we’re being honest, one of the coolest things you can do.
You’ll have days where you wonder why you ever thought this was a good idea, but then your horse will nuzzle you, and suddenly, you’ll forget every bad moment. Kind of like a toxic relationship, but with way more manure.
So, saddle up, grab a muck rake, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime. Just, you know, watch out for the kicks.
And as always, here are some of your pearls of wisdom when it comes to looking after your horse:
Best
Al
PS Please do leave a comment below if you’d like to add anything. I’d love to hear your thoughts.