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How to Ensure Your Horse’s Comfort

If you ride horses in competition or for work, you know how important it is to take good care of your horse. In the wild, horses must fend for themselves; however, your horse depends on you to meet its needs. Here are eight areas that you must attend to if you want to keep your horse healthy, happy and comfortable.

1. Clean Water

Clean water is essential to the health of your horse. Horses require 5 to 10 gallons of water per day, depending on the weather and their activity level. Offer clean water to your horse often so that it can stay well hydrated.

2. Healthy Eating

It is important for you to have a healthy, balanced diet, and healthy eating is just as important for your horse. A horse’s diet is much more carbohydrate rich than a healthy human diet would be. Your horse should eat 1 to 2 percent of its body weight in roughage, in the form of grass or hay, each day. You can supplement this with grain, but only in limited quantities. Too much grain can be harmful for your horse’s digestive system.

3. Adequate Rest

Your horse works hard every day; just moving their mass around and powering their bodies takes a large amount of energy. They must have ample time to rest. Rest is also the time when your horse is digesting its food.

4. Exercise

Your horse requires exercise. If you go out riding your horse, it is getting the exercise needed for that day. If not, get your horse out in the yard, walking and running around whenever the weather permits.

5. Clean, Comfortable Saddle

Your horse gets the majority of its exercise when you are out riding. A well-fitting, clean saddle is an essential part of riding. A saddle that is too tight or too loose can lead to chafing and sores. Any new saddle you try on your horse should be checked and adjusted by a competent fitter. Don’t ride your horse with an ill-fitting saddle, as it will not be comfortable for you or your horse. A dirty saddle can keep dirt and grime against your horse’s skin, leading to irritation and infection. Your saddle should be thoroughly cleaned regularly with leather cleaner and treated with leather conditioner. A quality saddle can be expensive, but it can give 40 to 50 years of useful service if it is cared for appropriately.

6. Avoid Stress

Your horse does not enjoy stress any more than you do. Horses are nervous animals by nature; in the wild, they are continually on the alert for predators. Make your horse’s stable a calm, peaceful environment. When you are out in the world, take the lead, and be alert for things that could cause stress to your horse. When stress comes, your horse will look first to you for assurance. Always be ready to respond appropriately.

7. Bathing, Grooming

Proper bathing and grooming cannot be overlooked. If your horse’s hair is dirty or matted, it can become an ideal territory for fleas, ticks and other undesirable creatures. Bathe and groom your horse as needed.

8. Mental Stimulation

Do not forget about mental stimulation. Your horse is a sensitive, intelligent animal and requires interaction to be at its best. Once your horse’s physical needs have been met, be sure to attend to its mental needs as well. Even an activity as simple as chasing a ball can provide the stimulation your horse needs.

Your horse does a lot for you, and it depends on you to meet its needs. If you ensure your horse’s comfort, the two of you can enjoy many happy years together. That should be the goal of any meaningful relationship.

About the author:
Jim McGowen, the founder and creator of Leather Honey, has been in the leather care and maintenance industry for over 40 years. Leather Honey’s saddle leather conditioner is the #1 selling leather conditioner on Amazon.com, and they have a new product, leather cleaner.

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