Horse care for complete beginners
Owning and taking care of a horse is a big responsibility (and expense) for anyone, particularly if you are new to it. There is much to learn in the early days, from arranging his boarding, to feeding, grooming and riding. Horse care is something that you learn over time and will gain experience of, but it’s imperative that you know some basics from the outset.
Our advice is to read as much as you can, speak to experienced friends and absorb useful tips in the early days.
Feeding your horse
One of the first things you need to understand way before you and your horse come together is what to feed him. Adopting the right equine diet is essential if your horse is to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life.
This will very much depend, of course, on the age of your horse and whether they have any special dietary requirements.
In general terms, we think it’s a good thing to feed your horse hay before grain.
Feeding him hay first will give him something to do and take the edge of his hunger.
When you are ready to give him grain, he will be more likely to take this from you slowly, and be able to digest it properly.
This should keep things like colic at bay.
As with many animals, feeding little but often is to be recommended.Giving him small amounts of food, 3-4 times a day (if that is practical), instead of it all in one meal, will also help his digestion.
Feeding younger horses
If you are feeding a young horse, they will, of course, require more good quality protein, vitamins and minerals to promote healthy growth.
There are a host of special feeds that will do this job. You should try and feed him enough to promote strong, steady growth.
Keep a chart of your horse’s weight to ensure he is maintaining strong and steady growth over time
Stable arrangements – pick wisely
Arranging adequate boarding arrangements for your horse is extremely important. If you are not able to do this yourself, make sure you visit the stable and look at the condition of the horses stabled there and the stalls and paddocks. Ask about the daily stable routine – it’s important that your horse is kept in a happy, healthy environment.
Don’t rush into a decision based on price, go and have a look at a number of options.
General top tips on grooming stabled horses
Whilst there has been much written about when and why to groom your horse, we think it’s wise to do this both before and after you ride. The practicalities of this may vary season-by-season, but try and be strict with your regime.
If your horse is stabled most of the time (this may be the case in the winter), he will require more regular grooming to maintain his healthy coat. Don’t be tempted though to over groom, as this can damage the natural oils in his coat that keep your horse warm and dry.
Here are some other more general horse care tips:
Your horse will need a constant, clean supply of water in front of him.
Take care of your horse’s hooves – pick his feet regularly to prevent a build up of mud.
Ride your horse as much as you can – he needs regular exercise.
Remember different seasons require different levels of care – if you buy a horse in the spring, they will need more regular grooming to remove their shedding coat.In the winter he will require additional warmth in the form of a heavier horse rug etc.
Proper bedding is vital for horses kept in barns or stables. After your horse has stood on a hard floor all day, he will eventually want to lie down and rest.
Your stable should be mucked out regularly.
There are no exact guidelines for how much space your horse requires, but as a general rule of thumb, they will need 1 acre to exercise in.
The new IHC Elland Leather Headcollar by Whitaker is a great addition to your everyday horse care routine. It allows you move your horse comfortably, and to familiarise him with everyday living. It features brass buckles and clasps and is made from full leather.
John Whitaker and the Whitaker family are well known in the equine industry, particularly within the show jumping circuit. The exclusive Whitaker brand of equestrian clothing and products, including Brogini riding boots, are available through John Whitaker International (JWI). Combining superior quality with exceptional performance, the Whitaker brand has earned the respect of both amateur and professional riders across the globe.
