Recent questions tagged horse care

Description : I need to know this stuff for a school project and it needs their birthday and life story and I just can't find it!

Last Answer : All you have to do is type in Dr. Deborah Middleton on your computer & it will bring up lots of information on her & her work. Dr. Middleton worked on a vaccine for the Hendra virus in horses which is ... University of Sydney, Bachelor of Veterinary Science I hope this helps a bit.

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Last Answer : The most important and major part of a horse's diet is a high quality hay or pasture. Grain can be offered in small amounts 3 or 4 times a day. Learn what the normal weight of your ... determine the number of calories necessary. Check with your vet if any supplements should be added to the diet.

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Last Answer : It's important to start caring for a horse before it is weaned. Halter training (ususally with a soft leather halter), gentle grooming , socialization with humans, other horses besides mom, handling ... farrier, give a foal confidence and make training and handling easier when the horse is older.

Description : I've read confilcting articles about whether to feed my horse hay before grain or grain before hay. What should I do?

Last Answer : The bulk of a horse's diet should be roughage from hay or pasture grazing. If you do feed grain, feed after hay consumption. It's best to feed grain in small amounts several times a day making it easier for the horse to digest it effectively. Hay should always be available.

Description : I live in the dessert, and it's very sandy where I live. A lot of people don't shoe their horses and they seem to be fine. Should I shoe mine?

Last Answer : It depends on your horses' hooves, how much riding you do and the kind of trails you ride over. If your horse has no problems and is comfortable being unshod, then that's the way to go. The best ... shoeing a horse is a good farrier. They are the experts and would know what's best for your horse.

Description : My horse is about to have her first foal. How long will her baby nurse? Can I ride her while she's nursing?

Last Answer : In the wild foals sometimes nurse until they are a year old. Domestic horses usually nurse for 4 to 6 months. Time for weaning the horse is generally up to the human caretaker. A horse does need exercise, perhaps wait a month before riding her. Remember to allow her time to nurse the foal.

Description : My daughter is about to start learning to ride. What are good qualities to look for in a riding instructor? Is there any certification that I should look for?

Last Answer : Decide what style of riding is of interest, whether riding for fun or go into competition. It's always best to choose an instructor that is certified (has studied and earned a certificate of ... more than one instructor and choose the one who is most qualified and who you are comfortable with.

Description : They really bang into the horses holves. Does it hurt them?

Last Answer : If done correctly, shoeing a horse shouldn't cause pain. The horse may feel some tenderness or soreness on the sole from the pressure of the shoe when freshly shod. Always choose an experienced farrier ... back if necessary to check if the horse has a problem. With serious problems, call your vet.

Description : In the wild they don't have horseshoes. Why do they need them when they get domesticated?

Last Answer : Domesticated horses spend most of their time walking and running on hard surfaces. They need horseshoes to keep their hooves from wearing down too quickly and damaging them. Wild horses don't need shoes ... soft grassy areas, protecting their hooves and allowing them to wear down at a normal rate.

Description : Is there something special I need to do to introduce them? Will they get along?

Last Answer : Cows are more able to digest rich pasture. Horses can be fussy about the type of grass they will graze. So it depends on the type of pasture grass where they are grazing. Of course it also ... personality, but otherewise they get along well so there's no problem in allowing them to graze together.

Description : There are so many varieties out there. What's the best?

Last Answer : There are 2 types of hay - legumes (alfalfa and clover) and grasses which include cereal grains (Timothy, oat, fescue, coastal bermuda, rye, etc.). Different hays are available at different times ... . Make sure to purchase high quality hay from a reliable dealer. Check bales for mold or dampness.

Description : I'm about to get my first horse. Do you have any tips for me?

Last Answer : Be sure you can meet all the basic needs of a horse - shelter, veterinary care, feed, grooming, exercise time, bonding time, enough pasture area. Prepare all the necessary equipment beforehand ... you take him/her home. Ask about vaccinations. Keep telephone numbers handy for any further questions.

Description : I'll be traveling with my horse to a new stable. It's over 70 miles away. What do I need to make sure that my horse stays safe on the ride.

Last Answer : Of course make sure the trailer is secure and that your horse won't be jostled all over the place as you drive. Some things that are required to take with you are a vet certificate, ... you travel through may have other regulations. Map out your route and check beforehand about their regulations.

Description : I love horses and I'd like to work with them. What are some careers that involve working with horses?

Last Answer : Veterinarian or Veterinary Technician top the list of careers with horses. But you would have to make a commitment to attend university for a number of years to earn a degree and be able to practice. ... land as well as seeing to the horses' needs), training horses, breeding horses. Hope this helps.

Description : I have a healthy horse, but her mane seems thinner than other horses. What can I do to get her to have a healthier looking mane?

Last Answer : A healthy mane starts with the right feed. Make sure your horse is getting the proper nutrients. Keep the mane free of any dirt, burrs, tangles and so on that can get caught on objects and pull ... the mane. There is grooming spray that can be used inbetween times to help keep tangles to a minimum.

Description : There are a lot of flies that hang around my horses stable. I'd like to get rid of them, but don't want to use chemicals. Do you have any recipes or ideas on how I can get rid of them?

Last Answer : Here are a couple of recipes that work well. Using a spray bottle, add 2 tsp. citronella oil, 2 tsp. eucalyptus oil, 2 tsp. dish detergent, 1 cup oil and 2 cups water. Shake well and spray ... the stable as clean as possible will also help.. Use green products that won't hurt your horse to clean.

Description : I got a salt lick for my horse. How much salt does she need? Should I just leave it out all the time or should I ration it?

Last Answer : My friends had a horse farm and they just left it out all the time, unless the horse would not leave it alone.

Description : I'm just starting to jump my horse. What are the best boots?

Last Answer : The safest boots are zip-up boots with flat soles and a low heel. Make sure it's the type of heel that won't get stuch in the stirrup. If you accidentally fall off your horse, you don't want your boots trapped and you dragged along the ground by your horse.

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Last Answer : More common beddings are straw and shavings. Two bales of straw is enough for an average stall and a bit more in winter. If your horse is an adult and will eat the straw, you may want to use ... from. If your horse has respiratory problems, sawdust is really not a good choice as it can be dusty.

Description : I am thinking about getting my daughter riding lessons. She's 5 years old. Is that too young?

Last Answer : No, around 4-5 is a good age to start.

Description : I've hear that there is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd cut of hay. What's the difference and which should I feed my horse?

Last Answer : The first cut of hay can include stems which are more difficult to chew and digest. Hay should always be cut in warm, dry weather. Whichever combination of hays is recommended for your horse, always check the ... and make sure you don't feel heat, a white dust or black areas that could mean mold.

Description : I'm 16-years-old. I have a job and have enough money to take care of a horse. We have a lot of room for a horse to graze. How can I convince my parents to let me have one?

Last Answer : Write an esay, paper, give them lots of information, if there is a problem or obstacle show/explain to them how you can over come it, explain the costs, show how you'll pay it... etc. :) Good luck!

Description : My horse gave birth a couple of months ago. When should I start training her foal?

Last Answer : Well, you can really train them at any age, the earlier the better, but I think about 3 to 6 months. I'm not exactly sure...

Description : I recently saw a post for a blind horse on PetFinder.com. What do you need to know to take care of one?

Last Answer : A horse's vision is an extremely important sense. Their range of vision allows them to see all around except directly in front or back. But even blind horses can adapt if they feel safe and secure. ... him/her. For your safety and the horse's use the same methods of communicating and be consistent.

Description : At what age are horses considered fully grown?

Last Answer : A horse is usually 90% grown at 2 years old. They reach their full height at 5 years old. They are considered fully grown at 6 or 7 years of age although some horses continue to grow till 8 years of age.

Description : I'm new to riding. How do I figure out the correct length to make my stirrups?

Last Answer : Check the stirrups visually to make sure they are the same length. Position the saddle correctly. Your thigh angle should be parallel to the horse's shoulder angle. One way to measure is to put your ... to your armpit. If you are unsure, ask an instructor to check if the stirrup length is correct.

Description : My neighbor has a horse and they seem to have large bails of hay delivered to their house all the time. How much do horses eat?

Last Answer : The amount a horse eats depends on its activity. Naturally, working horses require more food than non-workers. Adult horses eat between 1 1/2 - 3 1/2 % of body weight or from 15-35 lbs. for a 1,000 lb. horse. The vet has a scale for horses and tell the owner the right amount to feed.

Description : My horse is a 2-year-old filly. How often should I be exercising her?

Last Answer : Horses really aren't ready for a full workout until they are about 5 years old, when their bone structure is solid. Start your 2 year old off slowly with about 20 minutes, 5 minutes of which ... and type of exercise isn't doing any damage. Watch your horse for any signs of tiring during exercise.

Description : My horse's stable is clean, but there always seem to be flies and mosquitoes hanging around. What can I do to get rid of them?

Last Answer : You can try a product called Fly Eliminators (gnat-sized wasps) that feed on the pupal stages of flies. There is an all natural insect repellent called Liquid Net for Horses that helps with both ... area clean. Make sure feed is fresh. Never use toxic insecticides as they can poison your horse.

Description : I'm an animal lover and I've always wondered about racing and racehorses. Where do racehorses go when they can no longer race?

Last Answer : Some racehorses become studs or broodmares. Racehorses can also be trained for shows or used in therapy for veterans and children and adults with physical or emotional problems. There are horse ... aware that some former racehorses should live out their lives in gentle, quiet, caring surroundings.