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How To Keep Your Horses Healthy

How To Keep Your Horses Healthy

Horses are sensitive animals that require a great deal of attention. More importantly, they don’t deal with change or stress very well, and they need schedules. If you are interested in owning a horse, you may have already spent time with them, but there are some things you may not know about the galloping equines. Before you purchase one, here are some things you should understand about the four-legged beast’s unique needs.

Food

Roughage is extremely important to the horse’s diet, so you might be surprised to learn that your equine friend can survive on pasture grass and added hay. If you want to add treats to your furry friend’s diet, provide some carrots and apples as rewards after a workout or for coming when you call.

Exercise

Since horses are herd animals, they need to spend time running, grooming, and playing with other horses. Even grazing side-by-side is a comfort to equines. Most boarding situations keep the horse in a single stall. You can buy horse jumps or running poles and use them to keep the animals active. Moving around is good for their digestive health and blood circulation.

Dental

Horse’s teeth wear unevenly when in captivity because of the shape of their jaw, and it can cause them a great deal of pain as one tooth grows long enough to puncture gums and cause abscesses. A long tooth can also knock other teeth loose or prevent the horse from eating. A vet can easily file the tooth down.

Company

Horses are nervous creatures that become stressed easily, especially if they are alone. Like most social creatures, the horse is a herd animal that requires the companionship of other horses to feel safe and secure. The group will naturally take turns watching for predators, grooming each other, and sleeping in shifts. It’s the herd’s way.

If you love horses and want to make one a part of your family of furry friends, make sure you take care of the animal’s health. Keeping your horse healthy can help guarantee a long life together.… Read More..

Understanding the Types of Horse Insurance

Understanding the Types of Horse Insurance

Have you ever thought about what you would do if your horse was seriously injured, sick, or had to be euthanized? Not only would this be a devastating blow emotionally, but you would also have to cover a stack of veterinary bills.

This is when horse insurance can be invaluable. The question is, what policy do you need? Keep reading to learn about some types of horse insurance that are available for purchase.

Types of Horse Insurance

While you eventually need to look into horse insurance cost, you should start by knowing what type of protection you need. Some of the options include mortality coverage (i.e. a life insurance policy for your horse), loss of use, major medical coverage, and liability protection, which protects you legally if your horse hurts someone else. There are some liability policies that also protects you from the possibility of a lawsuit if someone is injured while on your property.

Finding the Right Insurance Company

When you begin looking for a quote from an insurance company, there are two things you need to find out. One is if the company is legally allowed to operate in your state and it’s rating. Most insurance companies receive a rating based on solidity and financial strength. If you find one with a low rank, you may want to look elsewhere for coverage.

Determining an Insurance Value for Your Horse

If you purchase a valuable horse, you want to purchase mortality insurance on it. This is especially true if you are still paying on the horse. With mortality insurance, you can’t just select the amount of coverage you want. The value must be determined by the insurance company.

If you are considering horse insurance, be sure to consider the factors above. This will help ensure you get the policy you need for a price you can afford.… Read More..

Tips for Protecting Your Horse

Tips for Protecting Your Horse

Your horse is like a member of your family. Unfortunately, unlike cats or dogs, your horse can’t live in your house with you. So, how do you keep it safe when you’re not around? Here are five tips for protecting your horse.

Remove Halters

Having a halter on your horse can make it easy for you to get a grip on them. It can also make it easier for thieves to grab them as well. Removing the halter can help to deter potential thieves.

Lock Up Every Night

Locking up every night is essential. This includes all gates and your tack storage. When everything is locked up, it makes it harder for thieves to get to your horse, your vehicles, and anything else you have stored in the barn.

Invest in Insurance

Investing in ranch insurance can provide you with protection if your barn is damaged or any of your tack or other equipment is harmed or stolen. This can help to potentially save you a significant amount of money should items need to be replaced.  

Consider Microchipping

Microchipping is common in cats and dogs. The chip provides an additional identification method if a pet gets lost and loses its tags or is stolen. Chips aren’t just meant for smaller pets. Horses can be microchipped as well.

Add Lights or Cameras

A motion sensor activated light can be a great deterrent for potential thieves. When a light comes on that they weren’t expecting, the would-be thief might be more likely to take off before taking anything. You may also want to consider adding a security camera, which can allow you to catch thieves in the act. You can even find ones that have night vision.

Taking steps to ensure the safety of your horse can protect both your beloved equine companion and you. These steps can also provide you with much-needed peace of mind.… Read More..