More Tips For a Happy Horse
Spending time with your horse not only enables a close bond to develop between you both, but it also enables you to learn how your horse responds to situations and how they are in themselves. Over time you will learn his body language. A calm and responsive manner is a sign of a happy horse. He will keep a low head, relaxed jaw and have soft eyes. A happy horse will seek affection from you and show respect by not invading your personal space. Your horse may yawn to show that he is calm and relaxed – this is not a sign of boredom. If your horse is holding its head high with a tense jaw and has darting eyes and a reluctance to stand still, then there is something wrong – he is not comfortable. Allow the horse time to settle himself slowly in order to avoid the onset of “flight” mode and further stress.
Grooming your horse gives you the opportunity to check him over regularly. Pay close attention to your horse’s eyes, teeth, shoes and hooves and inspect his droppings regularly. Any change in the normal should be reported to your vet at the earliest opportunity – any delay could cause you extra worry, expense and a potential claim on your horse insurance. Regular worming treatments and routine vaccinations are important and you should make sure that you book appointments for these with your vet. Medications should be rotated so that parasites do not get the chance to become immune – this also gives a wider circle of protection from worms and parasites. A lack of suitable medication could result in colic, heart and immune problems. Make sure you have asked your vet to administer influenza, encephalitis and rhinoneumonitis vaccinations. It is also advisable to have vaccinations for tetanus and rabies, though these are not necessarily essential. If you are a regular with the horse trailers at horse shows etc, your horse may need to show a negative Coggins test, which is for a serious equine virus called equine infectious anaemia (EIA) for which there is no cure or treatment.
Having regular farrier visits is also essential for a happy and comfortable horse. If you allow your horse’s hooves to get too long it will soon be uncomfortable and this will of course affect the mood and performance of your horse. A horse’s hooves will need to be trimmed every six to eight weeks – your farrier may suggest more often.
Your horse will need a blanket or coat during the wet and cold winter months and during the summer, a fly protective horse sheet or mask is advisable. Horses can produce a soapy lather when they sweat, so it can be good to use a horse cooler after exercise. Drinking water directly after exercise could put a horse’s body into shock. When you have been exercising your horse, allow him to cool down sufficiently before a meal. After eating you should give your horse at least an hour before exercise.
Horses need to have a purpose, whether it is riding, showing, therapy, carriages or dray. Horses love to be needed. It is important for a horse’s sense of purpose and focus that he receives regular praise – especially when young – for performing simple tasks such as simply standing still or in the right place. Horses by nature are inquisitive and will gain in confidence the more new experiences they are introduced to.
A horse is a beautiful and magnificent creature that deserves a good home for life with excellent care. Providing the best type of health care possible is a responsibility which you, as the horse’s owner, agree to take on when purchasing a horse. Keeping a horse can be a very expensive business, and without good horse insurance provided by a specialist equine insurer, it is possible to quickly run into financial problems if your horse should become sick or sustain an injury. A horse will show you vast amounts of love in return for the simple effort of attention and care for his well-being.
