Keeping Your Horse Healthy

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