We know proper horse care forms the foundation of responsible horse ownership. So, it goes without saying that understanding the essential elements of horse care is crucial to ensuring your horse lives a healthy, active and happy life.  So, let’s look at what the essentials of horse care are.

Daily care essentials

The daily routine

The daily routine is the cornerstone of horse health. Things like making sure your horse has fresh, clean water available at all times are foundational.  Horses drink between 20 -35 litres of water per day depending on the weather, their activity level, and your horses individual needs. I’m sure you can tell this makes hydration a big deal!  Make it a habit to check your horses water supply at least daily to make sure it is clean and re-filled.

Feeding should also be a routine.  Ideally try to split your daily rations into multiple smaller meals rather than one or two large ones. This mimics natural grazing patterns.  It also lowers the risk of colic and other digestive issues.  The bulk of your horse's diet should be made up of quality forage.

Next on the daily checklist is grooming.  Grooming is much more than just aesthetically pleasing.  Grooming offers an opportunity to check for injuries or abnormalities while strengthening your bond with your horse. Areas to pay special attention to are: areas where tack sits, legs - for swelling or cuts, and hooves - for stones, thrush, or damage.  This is the perfect time to do a wellness check, so make it part of your routine.

Preventive health care

To prevent serious health care problems before they develop it’s best to have a proactive approach. Getting proper nutrition and hydration, keeping a healthy stable environment, regular exercise etc. 

MicroMed Probiotics

MicroMed probiotics are a live COMMENSAL formulation of over 80 different strains of microbes that change slightly with every batch, as it is batch brewed.  These microbes should be occurring naturally in your horses microbiome, but because of environmental toxins and drugs administered, they aren’t!  Commensal probiotic are a complete eco-system in and of themselves.  Picture a team working together in a workplace.  Each one has its own unique skills and abilities, but they also all come together to work as a team, and this is where their strength lies.  MicroMed microbes work together in and on the host in a symbiotic relationship, and not as a ‘single’ or even multi-strain probiotic. Most marketplace probiotics are not ‘native microbes’, they are transient, and transient microbes, while travelling through the body doing good, are out within 24hrs!  MicrMeds commensal microbes help with digestive health and disease prevention through the post-biotics the probiotics secrete.  For more on this see our blog on Commensal Microbes.  Do you see the value of using our beautiful commensal microbes?! 

Hoof care

Hoof care is a vital part of a horse’s health care routine.  Hoof picking gets rid of debris that can cause bruising.  Debris can also create an environment for bacterial infections like thrush to thrive. Signs to look out for are: unusual odours, signs of overheating or sensitivity.

Every 6-8 weeks professional hoof care from a qualified farrier is recommended, whether your horse wears shoes or not. Trimming maintains proper hoof balance and prevents overgrowth that can lead to lameness issues and should be done regularly. Always consider your horse's specific needs because some horses will benefit from shoes while others will do better barefoot.

Your horse's environment directly affects their hoof health. For example, a consistently wet or muddy environment can lead to soft, weak hooves.  This in turn increases susceptibility to bacterial infections. On the other hand, dry conditions can result in cracked and brittle hooves. Consider hoof supplements if environmental conditions are challenging.

Common health issues

It is important to be able to identify early signs of common health problems.  This allows for prompt treatment and better outcomes for your horse. One of the most serious for horses is Colic, which presents as pawing, decreased appetite, rolling or looking at flanks. Know your veterinarian's emergency number and it’s a great idea to have a homeopathic first aid kit readily available, stocked with:

Aconite – Give at first sign of Cholic

Belladonna – Used when your horse is hot and sweating with a rapid pulse

Colocynthis – Used for cramping and pains

Phosphorus - Used during extreme weather changes, barometric pressure changes.

Nux Vomica – Used to help with gastric motility.

Arnica – Use as a routine measure against colic

Find a good homeopathic vet, many can do remote consults now and if you have your homeopathic first aid kit to dispense from – job done!

Homeopathy is safe, simple to use and has no contraindications with any other medications, making it a great way to stabilize your horse while you wait for the vet, if you need on-site help.

Another common health problem in horses is lameness, which can range from subtle gait changes to an obvious limp. You know your horse best, pay attention to behaviours that are out of the norm so that you can quickly identify when something seems off. Issues with lameness can respond well to early intervention, but if not picked up in the earlier stages can become serious.

Then we have respiratory issues which may present as nasal discharge, coughing or difficulty breathing. These could be minor, or they could be contagious so the best course of action would be to isolate your horse and consult with a vet/homeopath to establish next steps.  Lactobacillus casei is an important probiotic to help fight IAD – Inflamed Airway Disease and this particular beneficial bacteria is found in MicroMed for Horses.  There are of course great herbal remedies too such as echinacea.

Lastly, we have skin conditions.  These include rain rot, scratches, or allergic reactions.  These are common and manageable with proper care. A reminder: use regular grooming as an opportunity to spot skin issues early when they're easier to treat.

Healthy environment

Your horses health is closely linked to its environment. Your horse needs:

-        Adequate shelter from the wind, rain, and extreme temperatures.

-        Make sure there is proper ventilation to prevent respiratory issues. Stagnant air means dust accumulation which reduces air quality.

-        Good drainage prevents muddy conditions that contribute to hoof and skin problems.

-        Social needs must be considered too. Horses are herd animals and they generally do better with companionship.  This can be other horses, or it can be donkeys, or goats.  Isolation can cause them stress and lead to stress-related health and behavioural issues.

Stables and grasses

It’s important to know the grasses and forage in your horses paddock in order to be able to prevent serious digestive and metabolic issues.  Different grass species have different nutritional profiles, particularly in their sugar and starch content. Knowing which grasses dominate your paddock helps you predict when these levels of sugar and starch might be dangerous

Lucerne – Lucerne itself is lower in sugars than many other grasses, but when consumed alongside other high sugar grasses problems can arise.  Notably, this can lead to overconsumption of carbohydrates which exceeds the horses digestive capacity and rapid fermentation which can cause digestive upsets.  This can lead to colic, diarrhea and laminitis.

Prevention

-        Test your pasture and hay for NSC (non-structural carbohydrates)

-        Limit grazing during high risk periods

-        Introduce dietary changes over 7-14 days

-        Watch for early signs of digestive upsets

Consistency is key

An effective health management plan for your horse requires a combination of daily attention to basics and proactive, professional care. Consistent routines and recognizing early signs of problems can help you to create the best possible foundation for your horse's health long-term.

Don’t forget, every horse is an individual and has unique needs. Get to know your horse, stay observant and commit to ongoing learning for your horse. Your horse's health is about you knowing their needs and consistently showing up for them every day, with love!