| Horses are living creatures with needs and | | | | much can cause a horse to founder and run the |
| emotions. But if you love horses, you don't need | | | | risk of laminitis. |
| to be told that. And like all living creatures, they | | | | Stabled horses, in particular, require especial care |
| need to be kept healthy if they are to be happy | | | | for their diets. The right proportion of energy |
| and successful. However, this world can be tough, | | | | foods should be given according to the work the |
| and "nature red in tooth and claw" has a number | | | | horse is performing. Fresh food, such as raw |
| of threats to horse health that a wise owner will | | | | fruits and vegetables, will be a welcome addition |
| want to watch out for. | | | | to a horse's diet, and it stands to reason that |
| Living conditions are the first consideration when it | | | | horse health as well as human health will benefit |
| comes to horse health. If a horse is kept stabled, | | | | from the vitamins provided by these. |
| the stable will need to be kept free from damp | | | | Horses, like other companion and working animals, |
| and mould - and, to consider the opposite | | | | need protection and medication to ensure that |
| extreme, protected from excessive heat. | | | | they are free from parasites. Veterinarians |
| The straw or other bedding used to cover the | | | | recommend that horses be wormed twice a |
| floor of the stable should be mucked out regularly, | | | | year, preferably in autumn and spring, to ensure |
| preferably daily, and care should be taken that | | | | optimum horse health. |
| the new bedding is free from mould, damp or | | | | Mucking out stables and/or pasture frequently is |
| mildew. The stable should also be checked | | | | another important part of controlling parasites. In |
| carefully to make sure that there are no sharp | | | | this respect, keeping a horse at pasture can be |
| edges that a horse can cut itself on. | | | | an advantage, as a horse can be moved from |
| If a horse is kept in pasture, a shelter of some | | | | field to field, thus ensuring that any parasites in |
| kind must be provided so the horse can find | | | | the dung will die and/or be dispersed before the |
| shade from excessive heat, or cover from rain. | | | | horse returns to that particular field again. |
| The field must also be checked to ensure that no | | | | On a day to day basis, the most important part |
| poisonous plants such as nightshade or hemlock | | | | of horse health is regular interaction between |
| are growing in it or near it where the horse can | | | | horse and rider. Daily grooming, feeding and riding |
| eat them. Fencing should be checked to make | | | | is not only the source of much pleasure for both |
| sure that the horse cannot escape and that it has | | | | horse and human, but it also gives the rider |
| no sharp projections that a horse could cut itself | | | | owner a chance to make sure that their horse |
| on if it uses the fence to itch itself. | | | | remains in good condition. |
| Correct feeding is another vital aspect of horse | | | | By interacting with a horse daily, it is very easy |
| health. While it is obvious that malnutrition is bad | | | | to see if the horse is showing any signs of poor |
| for any horse, excessive or incorrect feeding can | | | | health, such as poor coat condition, mucus in the |
| also be a threat to horse health. Colic can be | | | | eyes, scouring (diarrhoea), strange lumps or cuts. |
| caused by eating the wrong sort of food, such as | | | | But if you love horses, you'll be spending time |
| under-ripe apples are notorious and eating too | | | | with your horse, anyway. |