| You always wanted a horse when you were | | | | wrong. |
| growing up and now that you are a successful | | | | |
| adult, you have decided to take the plunge | | | | There are many different types of common |
| and purchase a horse. Keeping a horse is not | | | | equine health problems that can affect your |
| possible today in most cities so you arrange | | | | animal. These include, but are not limited |
| to have it boarded and cared for at a local | | | | to allergies, colic, Cushing's disease, |
| stable. Sounds easy, but owning and caring | | | | dehydration illnesses, dermatitis and skin |
| for a horse is a big responsibility that each | | | | rashes, excess salvia and drooling, head |
| owner must be prepared for. So, where do | | | | shaking, stomach problems such as ulcers, |
| start to learn about what it takes to have a | | | | headshaking, shivers, West Nile Virus and the |
| healthy horse? | | | | list goes on. In addition to diseases, there |
| | | | are other conditions that can affect their |
| Quickly, you will realize that there is a lot | | | | health-parasites, worms and insects are a |
| to learn and at first, you will be | | | | major problem that should be dealt with |
| overwhelmed and think that you can not | | | | quickly. Nothing can be worse than having |
| possible learn everything. You must provide | | | | these creatures in or on your body. |
| for daily care of the hooves, maintain their | | | | |
| teeth, joints, and internal health. Keeping | | | | Keeping your horse healthy should be your |
| your horse healthy involves feeding him the | | | | primary concern if you want to own a horse. |
| right food, watching for digestive problems | | | | You should investigate the stable where he |
| and colic, watching for leg and foot | | | | will live and determine that they are |
| problems, purchasing and using the correct | | | | providing all of the daily grooming, feeding, |
| tack, doing regular grooming, having him | | | | drinking, and medical needs. In addition, |
| vaccinated and dewormed, and there are dozens | | | | they should have a regular exercise program |
| of other details that must be dealt with. | | | | for your horse as well as loving |
| | | | attention-these are animals that enjoy human |
| Just like people, they are affected by | | | | contact and they should not be locked up |
| weather, must be properly fed and sheltered, | | | | alone for indefinite periods of time. |
| and may get sprains, strains, soreness of the | | | | |
| back and legs. If sick or in pain, it will | | | | Invest in a good veterinary and talk to him. |
| affect the way they move and the way they | | | | Make sure that you horse is healthy and ready |
| feel. A healthy horse will tend to be easier | | | | to ride whenever you go over to the stable. |
| going than a sick one-very similar to people | | | | You will have a friend for life in your |
| who do not feel well, we get grumpy. They | | | | horse, but it is your responsibility to |
| are acting different and you may first notice | | | | ensure that he gets the best care and love in |
| that their mood is different. You are not | | | | the world. |
| sure what is wrong, but you know something is | | | | |