The better you treat your horse on a daily basis, the less likely it is they will become sick. There are certain key areas to pay attention to for allowing optimum health for your horse. Here’s our advice to help your horse be as happy and healthy as possible
Minimize Stress
Horses are watchful and sometimes nervous creatures. They are simply a species that is prone to stress, and as the owner you need to do what you can to minimize it. Excessive stress may lead to diarrhea, ulcers, bad behavior, depression, and a weak immune system.
Some stress is inevitable, but help keep it to a minimum. Never have them live without another horse companion, stay patient when while riding or training, attempt to see the world from their perspective, introduce new experiences slowly, and allow them plenty of time to just hang out and enjoy themselves. A horse that is constantly working will quickly grow over-exhausted and anxious.
Make Annual Vet Visits
Horses must see the vet every year even if they seem healthy. Your vet can determine whether a problem is lurking undetected. Horses need to be vaccinated annually as well. Common diseases are equine encephalomyelitis, influenza, tetanus, and West Nile virus.
Veterinarians might suggest other vaccines that are location and circumstance-specific to your horse.
Provide Quality Food
Horses need hay or pasture to stay healthy. Never purchase cheap hay or low-end grain or commercial feed. It is worth feeding your horse quality food so you will have a healthier horse.
File Their Teeth
In the wild, horses eat a diet full of variety that their teeth wear down evenly. Domesticated horses’ teeth wear unevenly as a result of their often fixed diet.
Have your vet file down the points of your horse’s teeth as needed, and examine their mouth for other issues, such an infected or loose tooth.
Take Care of Their Hooves
Healthy hooves and legs are crucial. Since your horse is built to stand almost all the time, you must keep those hooves and legs in good condition. Provide quality hoof care regularly by finding a good farrier and stick to the hoof-care schedule that is given.
Get Some Exercise
Horses were designed to move all day every day, taking little steps as they graze. When kept in stalls, they just stand around. Allowing them to continually move their legs will help keep them healthy. This will also assist in circulation and stimulating of their digestive system. Daily exercise even does wonders for a horse’s attitude.
Keep a close eye on your horse’s weight. If they are getting too thin, ask your veterinarian how to increase his dietary intake. If they are overweight, reduce grain intake or increase the exercise.
At Sine Insurance, we understand the emotional and financial investment that a horse can be, and we want to make sure that yours is safe. Whether you own one horse for personal purposes or you own an equine business, make sure your horses are protected with a comprehensive Equine Insurance policy.
About Sine Insurance
At Sine Insurance Group, we are dedicated to providing you with custom tailored insurance policies to protect your assets. Our comprehensive packages have been expertly crafted to serve St. Louis and the surrounding areas for the past 25 years. For more information about our products, contact us today at (636) 947-1177.