Keeping Your Horse at Home - Fantasy Or Folly?
You have finally bought your dream home in the country.
Part of the dream is to keep your own horse in your "backyard".
Taking care of a horse is a 24/7 responsibility - are you prepared? If you are thinking about keeping your horse at home or if you have already have made the move, here are 8 tips to consider.
1) Learn about horse psychology and behaviour so that you can be safe working around and handling your horses.
Many injuries occur because the person did not recognize the warning signs the horse was giving just before he kicked, bit, bolted or spooked.
Injuries happen more frequently on the ground while working around a horse than they do from the saddle.
You are training your horse whenever you handle him.
If you don't know what you are doing, you are inadvertently going to teach him inappropriate (bad or unsafe) behaviours.
2) Horses are herd animals and need a companion to feel secure and happy.
Another horse or 2 is the best option.
If that is not possible, they will also bond with a goat, sheep or llama.
3) Horses need to be outside as much as possible, but also require shelter from hot summer sun, strong winds and heavy rain and snow.
A 3 sided run in shelter in the paddock provides adequate shelter as long as it is has enough room for all the horses without any of them getting pinned into a corner.
4) Horses are grazing animals and need a regular feeding routine to keep a healthy digestive system.
Horses that don't have free access to grass need to be fed good quality hay several times throughout the day.
Round bales of hay may be an option depending on your horses' health.
"Easy keepers" who put on weight easily may get too fat.
Horses with allergies or breathing disorders should not be fed from round bales because the hay tends to be dusty and mouldy.
Talk to your local horse feed representative to get more specific recommendations for feeding your horses appropriately.
5) Horses need regular farrier and veterinary care.
Their hooves need to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
They should receive vaccinations at least once a year (more if they are exposed to horses outside of your barn frequently) and a regular deworming program.
Talk to other horse owners in your local area to find a good farrier and vet.
6) No matter how well you look after your horses, at some point you are likely to experience an emergency due to illness or injury.
Post an emergency procedure outline and a list of emergency phone numbers in your barn and close to your phone.
Include your own contact information, street address and directions to your property.
If someone else is looking after your horses, this list could be vital to them getting the right help to your horse quickly.
7) There will be regular chores that need to be done - feeding, cleaning paddocks and stabling areas, repairing fences, etc.
If you are the only horsey person in your family, don't expect your spouse or kids to enjoy sharing the work.
It may all fall on your shoulders taking away from time that you used to spend riding.
If you have more than one riding horse, consider finding a neighbour or friend who is willing to exchange sweat equity for riding one of your horses or keeping their horse at your farm.
This solution also gives you a riding companion while reducing the amount of time spend doing chores.
8) Take riding lessons.
Horses are not bicycles.
They are living creatures with a brain and bodies that are affected - for better or for worse - by the person sitting on their backs.
Being a good and knowledgeable rider improves the experience for both you and your horse.
You need to know how to control your horse in all situations - even if you never intend to show and only enjoy an easy ride down the trail.
Keeping your horse at home can be a wonderful experience.
Being able to just hang out with your horses in your own back yard is a great way to let go of some of the stress in your life.
There is more responsibility in looking after your own horses, but you have an opportunity to really get to know your horses and understand them in a way boarding doesn't allow.
Take the time to learn at least basic horsemanship and riding skills so you can safely enjoy your horses while providing them with the best care.
Part of the dream is to keep your own horse in your "backyard".
Taking care of a horse is a 24/7 responsibility - are you prepared? If you are thinking about keeping your horse at home or if you have already have made the move, here are 8 tips to consider.
1) Learn about horse psychology and behaviour so that you can be safe working around and handling your horses.
Many injuries occur because the person did not recognize the warning signs the horse was giving just before he kicked, bit, bolted or spooked.
Injuries happen more frequently on the ground while working around a horse than they do from the saddle.
You are training your horse whenever you handle him.
If you don't know what you are doing, you are inadvertently going to teach him inappropriate (bad or unsafe) behaviours.
2) Horses are herd animals and need a companion to feel secure and happy.
Another horse or 2 is the best option.
If that is not possible, they will also bond with a goat, sheep or llama.
3) Horses need to be outside as much as possible, but also require shelter from hot summer sun, strong winds and heavy rain and snow.
A 3 sided run in shelter in the paddock provides adequate shelter as long as it is has enough room for all the horses without any of them getting pinned into a corner.
4) Horses are grazing animals and need a regular feeding routine to keep a healthy digestive system.
Horses that don't have free access to grass need to be fed good quality hay several times throughout the day.
Round bales of hay may be an option depending on your horses' health.
"Easy keepers" who put on weight easily may get too fat.
Horses with allergies or breathing disorders should not be fed from round bales because the hay tends to be dusty and mouldy.
Talk to your local horse feed representative to get more specific recommendations for feeding your horses appropriately.
5) Horses need regular farrier and veterinary care.
Their hooves need to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks.
They should receive vaccinations at least once a year (more if they are exposed to horses outside of your barn frequently) and a regular deworming program.
Talk to other horse owners in your local area to find a good farrier and vet.
6) No matter how well you look after your horses, at some point you are likely to experience an emergency due to illness or injury.
Post an emergency procedure outline and a list of emergency phone numbers in your barn and close to your phone.
Include your own contact information, street address and directions to your property.
If someone else is looking after your horses, this list could be vital to them getting the right help to your horse quickly.
7) There will be regular chores that need to be done - feeding, cleaning paddocks and stabling areas, repairing fences, etc.
If you are the only horsey person in your family, don't expect your spouse or kids to enjoy sharing the work.
It may all fall on your shoulders taking away from time that you used to spend riding.
If you have more than one riding horse, consider finding a neighbour or friend who is willing to exchange sweat equity for riding one of your horses or keeping their horse at your farm.
This solution also gives you a riding companion while reducing the amount of time spend doing chores.
8) Take riding lessons.
Horses are not bicycles.
They are living creatures with a brain and bodies that are affected - for better or for worse - by the person sitting on their backs.
Being a good and knowledgeable rider improves the experience for both you and your horse.
You need to know how to control your horse in all situations - even if you never intend to show and only enjoy an easy ride down the trail.
Keeping your horse at home can be a wonderful experience.
Being able to just hang out with your horses in your own back yard is a great way to let go of some of the stress in your life.
There is more responsibility in looking after your own horses, but you have an opportunity to really get to know your horses and understand them in a way boarding doesn't allow.
Take the time to learn at least basic horsemanship and riding skills so you can safely enjoy your horses while providing them with the best care.
Source...