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Horse care

The horse is a marvellous 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 ownership

Owning a horse is a huge responsibility. It means hard work and dirty chores for a long time, as well as 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. It’s 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 want 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 then 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 check the horse for fitness and suitability prior to purchase.

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.

Caring 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 row of trees or a high 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 Department of Primary Industry.

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.

Microchips

In the case of an emergency, a microchip could help reunite you with your beloved horse.  A specialist equine vet can microchip your horse.


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