5 Beginners Steps To Caring For A Horse

Next to becoming an astronaut or fireman, being gifted a pony is one of the great childhood aspirations. 

But it’s a classic for a reason. Receiving a pony is a sign of sheer unmitigated decadence, a price tag so staggeringly high that you would only really buy one for someone you truly love.

And as that tiny pony grows into a swaggering stallion or a massive mare, the cost of upkeep and the standard of care they’ll require will only become more exorbitant. 

If you can afford it, then, owning a horse is one of life’s great joys.

Riding out into a country field with your horse, a bond of trust between you both as you plot a route through nature – these are the peak moments of horse ownership, and they can’t be beaten.

Yet, looking after your equine pal requires skills, patience and knowhow. To help you get started, follow our five-step beginner’s guide on caring for your horse. 

1. Know your sneezes

We’ve never witnessed a horse sneeze before, but we imagine it’s a messy affair. And if they have an allergy, you can expect plenty more problems besides mucus. 

Recent figures from Avacta Animal Health revealed that between 10-50% of horses suffer allergic reactions, however these can be accurately identified with regular trips to an equine specialist veterinary surgery. 

2. Graze safely

Horses are natural grazers, and a wide open field presents every opportunity for them to chow down on tasty grass. 

But a field also presents a variety of potential hazards, including unseen sharp objects, litter or poisonous plants. 

To ensure your horse’s safety, scan its roaming field regularly for any danger, and remove them pronto. 

3. Stay in touch

Horses may seem like stoic creatures, but they need as much attention as any other animal. 

Without regular human contact, your horse may become distrustful of people, which in turn could lead to a wide array of behavioural issues. 

Be sure to check in on your horse at least twice a day, and show your love by petting and grooming it. 

Daily or weekly exercise and trail riding are other great ways to improve your horse’s overall health and fitness and strengthen the connection between you and your horse. During exercise, horses become focused and tuned into their surroundings, allowing them to sense every move and signal from their rider. They learn to trust and rely on their rider, forming a closer bond. Additionally, trail riding provides a change of scenery, which can minimise boredom and increase mental stimulation for your horse. You need to equip your horse correctly to make the ride safer and more physically enjoyable for your horse. You can check here for trail riding saddle pads if you don’t have one to minimise any injury or accident with your horse.

4. A stable home

The stables are where a horse will spend the vast majority of its time – so you better make sure yours is housed in a residence as luxurious as the Ritz.

Don’t be frightened of shopping around for appropriate stables in your local area. If you can’t figure out if a stable is a good fit, then Google Reviews is your friend. 

5. Ask around

Looking after a horse is a tough business, and it only grows more complicated as your horse gets older. 

Thankfully, the equine-enthusiast community are eager to help beginners on their exciting new journey. 

The Horse Forum is a great example of this. It’s teeming with experts and enthusiastic amateurs, all of whom are eager to provide advice from their wealth of experience. 

You can also stable your horse at a livery yard, ensuring that it’s adequately looked after by a roster of professionals. The choice is yours. 

Those are our horse care tips. Have you ever cared for a horse? Let us know in the comments below.