What You'll Learn Today<\/p>
- 1<\/span> Pasture<\/a><\/li>
- 2<\/span> Housing<\/a>
- 2.1<\/span> Corral Or Turnout With Shelter<\/a><\/li>
- 2.2<\/span> Barn Or Stable?<\/a><\/li>
- 2.3<\/span> Stall Size<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 3<\/span> Companionship<\/a><\/li>
- 4<\/span> Water<\/a><\/li>
- 5<\/span> Horse Fence<\/a><\/li>
- 6<\/span> Simplified Grooming<\/a>
- 6.1<\/span> Basic Grooming Tools<\/a>
- 6.1.1<\/span> 1. Curry comb (aka: curry or currycomb)<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.2<\/span> 2. Dandy brush or mud brush<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.3<\/span> 3. Small brush<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.4<\/span> 4. Mane comb<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.5<\/span> 5. Grooming cloth<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.6<\/span> 6. Body brush<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.7<\/span> 7. Hoof pick<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.8<\/span> 8. Fly repellent<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 6.2<\/span> Steps of Basic, Daily Grooming<\/a><\/li>
- 6.3<\/span> Clipping and Trimming<\/a><\/li>
- 6.4<\/span> Do Horses Need Baths?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 7<\/span> Hoof Care<\/a>
- 7.1<\/span> Get To Know Your Farrier<\/a><\/li>
- 7.2<\/span> How Do You Choose A Farrier?<\/a><\/li>
- 7.3<\/span> What About Horseshoes?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 8<\/span> Choosing An Equine Veterinarian<\/a>
- 8.1<\/span> What Vaccinations Are Required?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 9<\/span> Learning Good Horsemanship Is A Lifelong Pursuit<\/a>
- 9.1<\/span> What You Really Need Before You Buy A Horse<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- 10<\/span> Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
Pasture<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"horse](\"https:\/\/horsesandfoals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/matt-benson-7408-unsplash-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf you have access to good pasture (you may need to get rid of weeds in a hay field<\/a> regularly), this is the very best environment for most horses. The ideal natural diet for equines<\/a> consists of lots of grass and good quality hay and plenty of good, clean water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much land does a horse need<\/a>? Generally speaking, it takes between three and five acres of good pasture to keep a horse happy, comfortable and well-fed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some recommendations for a quality pasture seed mix<\/a>; however, even the best pasture should be supplemented with hay and feed during the winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless you have a very large, open pasture where your horses can move about freely and graze a bit here and a bit there, you will need to rotate pasture every month or so (and you may need a mower for large acreage<\/a>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let one area rest while another area is grazed. In this way, manure will have a chance to break down and compost. If too much manure builds up in one place, it will spoil the grass and your horse will not eat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Housing<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"horse](\"https:\/\/horsesandfoals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/alex-blajan-325209-unsplash-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlthough horses typically live entirely outdoors in the wild, it is important to understand that they do need shelter from the elements. In a wild setting, this comes from heavy tree cover, natural geographical barriers and wind breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Horses must have the ability to get out of the elements as they wish. In an open pasture setting without natural protection, a three-sided shed usually provides adequate shelter for healthy, active horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a horse owner, you will want to provide your horse with a safe, clean setting, sturdy fencing and effective shelter against rain, wind, snow and heat. Horses may be housed in barns, stables or open-sided sheds, depending on the weather in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Corral Or Turnout With Shelter<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you cannot keep your horse on pasture, you may want to use a dry lot or corral with shelter attached. A good outdoor turnout pen should be at least twelve feet wide by twenty or thirty feet long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will allow the horse to move about freely, but he or she will not be able to gallop. If your horse is high spirited and tends to run around, a larger pen, fifty feet long or more is best. If you keep your horse in a small pen, you need to set up a regular schedule of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barn Or Stable?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There is some difference between a barn and a stable. Barns are typically multipurpose buildings used to house livestock of all sorts. A barn may be a closed building with slatted stalls that open onto outdoor runs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These buildings are usually not heated and are very well ventilated. Barns usually have a feed room but may not have a separate room for tack and equipment. Here are some of the most important barn safety rules<\/a> to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stables or horse barns are set up especially for horses and other equines. A stable typically has box stalls with solid walls. The stalls may have windows and\/or may open onto outdoor runs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This design makes it possible for a larger number of horses to live under the same roof without fighting. Stables typically have separate, secure tack rooms, feed rooms and perhaps even a special area for veterinary care, bathing, horse vacuuming<\/a>, and other typical horse care related activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stall Size<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Box stalls range in size from about 10’x12′ to 14’x14′. The size of stall your horse requires depends upon its size, activity level and temperament. Smaller, quieter equines (e.g. ponies, miniature horses, donkeys) may be perfectly happy in a smaller stall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A large, active horse, such as a race horse or other warm-blooded horse, will need a larger stall. Stallions are typically kept in larger stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In areas where equines are used as work animals (and therefore get lots of exercise) on a daily basis, they may be kept in tie-stalls. These small stalls measure about five or six feet wide by eight or ten feet long. In this sort of stall, the horse is tied within reach of its feed box, hay and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The animal can lie down, but cannot turn around. This sort of stall is seldom used any more. It is inadequate for horses kept as companion and recreational animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No matter what size stall you use, you must keep a layer of absorbent material, such as wood chips or straw on the floor to absorb urine and provide good footing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a horse is kept in a stall, the stall must be cleaned daily<\/a> and the horse must be allowed time to exercise outdoors. You can even buy some stall toys for your horse<\/a> to have some fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Companionship<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"horse](\"https:\/\/horsesandfoals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/gene-devine-423925-unsplash-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt is best if your horse can be kept with other equines, because horses naturally live in herds. If you are not able to keep your horse with other horses, a small donkey can be a good friend. Some horses like to be kept with a goat, dog, cat or even chickens<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your horse is a stallion, you will have problems with housing as stallions should be kept separate from other horses to prevent fighting and unwanted mating. A stallion\u2019s quarters should be very sturdy to prevent escape and carousing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you keep your horse on open pasture or in a pen, barn or stable you must be sure that clean drinking water is always available. A horse will die within a couple of days without water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even when there is a natural water source, such as a stream, river, or pond, you must check frequently to be sure there is still an unobstructed supply of clean, fresh water. Natural water sources can freeze, dry up or become contaminated quickly, so be sure to check.<\/p>\n\n\n
- 10<\/span> Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n
- 9<\/span> Learning Good Horsemanship Is A Lifelong Pursuit<\/a>
- 7.2<\/span> How Do You Choose A Farrier?<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.2<\/span> 2. Dandy brush or mud brush<\/a><\/li>
- 6.1.1<\/span> 1. Curry comb (aka: curry or currycomb)<\/a><\/li>
- 2.2<\/span> Barn Or Stable?<\/a><\/li>
- 2<\/span> Housing<\/a>