If you own horses and a paddock, or this is your goal, then you must know how to properly manage the horses, stables and land. Successful horse management is made up of several important components that go beyond just feeding and exercising your horses. To help you on your journey to good horse management, here are some important things that you need to know.
#1 Diet and hydration
Horses feed differently from other animals. It is vital that you provide them with a place to graze or a steady intake of hay. This is what will keep their special digestive systems happy and healthy, as for them, it needs to be continuous. Grass and hay should be the bulk of their diet, so you need to ensure you have a suitable stable and paddock for them. You also have to ensure that there is water available for them to drink 24/7. This must be clean and fresh, and abundant. Horses should be drinking approximately 8-10 gallons a day, which will only go up if the weather is hot or they are doing heavy work. If you plan to add in any changes to their diet, for example, upon the vet’s advice, this must be done gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach.
#2 Environment and stable management
Paddock management is vital for the health and wellbeing of your horses. They must spend most of their time in the fields where possible. You have to consider things like pasture rotation, weed growth, parasites, mole hills, and more. Look after your paddock properly, and do regular checks in the fields. Have a checklist of routine jobs and daily checks you must complete for the health and safety of your horses, including checking that gates are secure. Using things like fly protection can be helpful, but the safety and condition of it on your horse needs to be checked on a regular basis. You may need to hire equipment or specialist support to maintain your fields if you own a large estate. Check your horses regularly too, to check for things like cuts, pain, breathing issues, changes in behaviour, and more. Have a rotation schedule that benefits your horse if you keep them in the stables, so they get the movement outside they need.
#3 Training
Horses should receive both consistency and clarity from you when being handled and trained. It is important that you are confident and compassionate in your approach, while establishing basic ground manners so that there is safety and a good relationship between you and your horse. Basics include walking, halting, and standing. Make sure your tack fits your horse properly, and get it professionally assessed on a regular basis. It is very easy for horses to suffer from restricted movement or back pain if this goes unchecked for too long.
Successful horse management isn’t just about how you feed them; it means taking a well-rounded approach. You need to keep them hydrated, feed them properly as per their needs, ensure the stables and paddocks are safe for use, and train them properly.
