Simple ways to keep your horse healthy

If your horse is happy and healthy, they will have a good appetite, move freely, have clean skin and coat, appropriate body weight and have clear eyes.


While you should always consult your vet, keep an eye on these areas:



1. Feet and legs

As any horse owner will know, the legs and feet of a horse are its prize possession. So every time you use a horse, it is crucial to check (and double-check!) that their feet and hooves aren't damaged.
If your horse is shod, clean out any small rocks between the shoe and the frog (the triangular structure at the back of the foot that acts a shock absorber). Horses that are ridden frequently on rough surfaces like roads need to be shod by a professional farrier.
Make sure your horse is vaccinated against tetanus, as even a small puncture from nails or splinters can infect the animal. Horses that aren't vaccinated are at high risk and difficult to treat if infected.



2. Teeth

Horses with poor teeth won't be able to eat properly, resulting in a weakened state. All horses from aged two years should have their teeth checked out by a vet before they start work. Up until five years of age, horses should have teeth check-ups every six months. If they are older, yearly inspections will suffice.



3. Skin

Lice and bot flies love your horse. Lice, for example, are attracted to long horse coats in winter. If you see your horse biting and rubbing their skin, particularly near their back or mane, chances are it's been infected with lice. Your vet can show you which treatment or spray to kill these lice on your horse and on your harness.
Bot fly eggs, which are laid on the coat, are hatched when the horse uses its mouth to rub the infected area. Unfortunately, the moist and warm conditions are ideal for eggs to hatch. Larvae can then travel into the gut resulting in digestive complications and even colic.



4. Gut

Worms are a frequent occurrence so talk to your vet for a suitable treatment to manage this. Left unattended and your horse can have serious gut problems. If your horse shows symptoms of colic (lying down, rolling on the floor, restlessness), you need to contact your vet.



Whether you’ve been a horse owner for years, or are just starting to browse through horse listings, as long as you stay attentive and learn to understand when your horse is uncomfortable or in pain, you are well on your way to keeping them healthy. As they say, prevention is better than cure.

Having a healthy animal is vital if you plan to sell a horse in the future. Visit HorseZone for comprehensive horse listings online.