Being a horse owner can be rewarding but it can also mean alot of hard work. Owning a pet means that you are responsible for its health and well-being all year round, and it’s no different with horses, in fact with horses being pets that are mainly kept outside, it is even more important for us to make sure that they are protected as best possible. Whether you’re protecting your horse from the elements, the cold winter, or their surroundings, here are a few tips that could help!
Temperature
Protecting your horse from becoming too hot or too cold throughout the year is essential when it comes to keeping them comfortable and healthy. There is a variety of comfortable stable rugs to keep your horse warm when they can’t move about to generate their own heat, and turnout rugs available in different weights to stop your horse from becoming too wet or cold when out in the field. It’s not just the cold winter that your horse needs protection from, the summer can cause your horse problems too. Hot weather means flies and mosquitos will make an appearance. They can cause irritation to your horse and leave them with nasty bites. You can protect them from flies by using lightweight fly sheets in the warmer months.
Shelter
As well as making sure your horse is protected when it comes to extreme temperatures, making sure that they are protected from adverse weather conditions when they’re out in their field is essential. Horses don’t mind spending long periods of time outside; all you must do is make sure they have somewhere to shelter if the weather changes. Whilst trees and hedgerows can act as shelter, it is best to have a structure with a roof so that your horse can hide under it if it rains or snows. Cold winds can bring a horse’s temperature right down, so having somewhere for them to retreat to will allow them to stay comfortable. Horses are resilient but depending on the age of your horse, or if your horse is injured or unwell, you may have to establish a balance of keeping them stabled and being out in the field.
Surroundings
If you’re keeping your horse outside, there are a few things that you need to check before allowing your horse to roam your chosen area. A few things you should consider include: • Is your fencing safe and secure? This helps to prevent any injuries from occurring and minimises the risk of your horse getting out of the field • Is your pasture free of poisonous plants? You should check your area of land regularly to make sure that there are no harmful plants such as ragwort that may cause harm to your horse, keeping on top of this means you can remove any areas that begin to grow • Does your horse have access to water? Fresh, clean water should be always available in your horse’s field. Streams and ponds are not to be used as a water source as they can become contaminated.
Taking these measures to protect your horse from harm may seem like a lot of work but you can never be too careful. Following tips and tricks on how to protect your horse will prevent them from becoming injured or unwell.