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Caring for your Horse
The horse is a marvelous athlete and can make a
delightful companion. Most Australians have a strong affection for all
horses, and many people, especially young people, would like to own and ride
their own horse. People should be prepared to accept the many
responsibilities of horse ownership before deciding upon the purchase of a
horse.
Responsibilities of Horse Purchase
Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. It means hard work and dirty chores
for a long time, along with considerable expense. It is important to
understand that the initial purchase of a horse is only the first step in
your new experience with horses. You will have to consider whether the horse
will be kept in a paddock, or whether it must be stabled. You need to
discuss feeding costs with a reputable feed merchant. Paddock
horses may
need some supplementary feed when grass becomes eaten down, and stable
horses will be
fed continuously on procured feed.
Basic necessities for your horse include a bridle, saddle, and saddle
blanket, grooming brush, feed tin and water container. It is wise to enquire
about these costs first as they can be very expensive items and time
and
care is needed in their selection. Its a good idea to have a safe storage
area for your equipment when
it is not being used on the horse. Your own
riding outfit has to be purchased as well, and this should include
a
suitable hard hat and good quality riding boots.
There will also be costs for shoeing, veterinary attention for your horse's
teeth, worm control, coughs and colds, and for vaccinations against diseases
such as strangles and tetanus.
Most young people purchasing their first horse are strongly advised to join
the local Pony Club where they will receive expert tuition on riding and
advice on horse care.
Choosing a Horse
Buy
your horse from a reputable source. Beware of purchasing a horse from anyone
who cannot provide a satisfactory history of the animal. Make sure the
seller knows what you wish to use the horse for. It is important that you
and your horse are well-matched so great care should be employed in its
selection.
Find out all about it: age, background, vices (e.g. buck, kick, bite, and
bolt). Make sure your first horse has a quiet temperament. Examine the horse
and have an experienced friend ride it for you and ride it yourself. If it
feels right ask for a one week trial, then ride and handle the horse daily.
Have your own veterinary surgeon cheek the horse for fitness and suitability
prior to purchase.
Some Advice
It is far better to avoid a problem by taking every care and precaution in
your selection. Read all you can about the requirements and problems
associated with owning a horse. Talk to friends who have owned horses for
some time.
Check with your local veterinary surgeon about common disease problems of
horses. Check the cost of professional visits, especially for vaccinations,
worming, dental care, and general medical treatment. Veterinary care can
often be costly.
Responsibilities of Horse Ownership
All horses have certain basic needs irrespective of the husbandry system
under which they are kept:
Ready access to food and fresh water to maintain health and vigour.
Freedom of movement to stand, stretch and lie down.
Regular exercise.
Social contact with other horses and people.
Accommodation that neither harms nor causes undue strain, and provides
adequate protection.
Protection from disease and regular inspection to assess the need for
attention to feet, teeth and worm
control.
Rapid identification and treatment of lice, injury and disease.
All horse owners should be fully aware of the general and specific
husbandry requirements of the horse. Many municipalities restrict the riding
of horses in certain areas, prohibit taking horses to specific places (e.g.
a beach or public park) and have regulations for keeping horses in their
areas.
You will need to check with the local Council in your area.

Care for your Horse

Housing
The paddock should be a minimum of 1 acre, should have some natural shelter,
good grass cover and adequate drainage. The paddock should be:
properly fenced (not barbed wire) and free from all rubbish and debris,
especially
old wire and
iron.
close enough to home to permit daily visits .
kept free of droppings to discourage flies and aid worm control.
suitable for catching and working the horse.
Shelter
Horses need shelter from heat, wind and rain. Natural shelter such as a belt
of trees or a hedge is good. A shed or stable may either supplement or
substitute natural shelter. Old horses need special care and in winter
should have a warm waterproof rug in addition to other protection from the
elements.
Water
Horses drink a lot of water so they must have access to a constant supply of
fresh, clean water available from a ground level container. Horses may drink
25-45 litres of water per day in hot weather.
Tethering
All horses require regular exercise and freedom to move. They should never
be tethered. If, for emergency or health reasons, horses have to be
tethered, it should be done in accordance with the "Code of Practice for the
Tethering of Animals" available from the RSPCA.
Feeding
Good quality grass is the best and most natural feed but when it dries up,
hay and hard feed must be provided. Failure to do so will result in
malnutrition and rapid loss of condition. Some feeding hints:
Feed little and often (2 or 3 times daily).
Feed plenty of bulk, such as good quality hay so that, as in grazing, the
digestive organs are well filled.

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