by Brenda Nelson

Created on: February 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Is your horse healthy?

Is it fat, thin, or have chronic lameness issues? When turned out in to the pasture does it run and play, or saunter out slowly, without any lust for life? Does your horse have any vices? Does he, or she, fuss when being groomed or saddled? Does its coat have dapples? Surprisingly most people do not know what are the signs of a healthy horse, and worse still, they do not know how to maintain their horses health.

A healthy horse is bright and alert, it interacts with other horses and enjoys a good run every now and then. A healthy horse is not one that is prone to lameness, and does not show signs of stress. A healthy horse is not over or underweight, and is a joy to be around. Dapples on a horses coat are often a sign of excellent health.

Normal horse temperature is 99 - 101 F, with a respiration rate of about 8 - 15 breaths per minute. They drink about 5 gallons of water a day. Of course most owners do not take their horses temperature regularly, but if you see a sign of a health concern these are two things to check before calling your veterinarian so you can give them the information over the phone.

If you want to keep your horse healthy there are some very basic things you should do.

1. Start with a healthy horse. When buying your horse, have it checked by a veterinarian of your choice.

2. Maintain regular veterinarian checks, deworming, and vaccinations. Do not forget to have the vet check your mounts teeth too! If a horse is experiencing painful teeth, it will fuss when being bridled and will not work well in the bridle.

3. Maintain a regular farrier routine. Did you know some health problems will show up in the foot? I refer to founder, which is common in ponies but occurs in all breeds of horses. Additionally over grown feet can result in leg problems. Clean out your horses hooves daily.

4. Have the horse on a good feeding program. Moldy hay is NOT suitable for equines. Too many oats will lead to founder. Poor quality, or dusty, hay will have its own list of problems. Some areas produce hay lacking in certain minerals, so find out if this is a problem in your area. Mineral supplements are available for horses, and they should have a salt lick. Bran mashes will help your horse have a regular digestive system.

5. Regular exercise is a must. Riding a horse hard for one day then leaving it for a week before riding it again is very hard on a horse.

6. Do not forget "Mental Health". A bored horse will show signs of stress or depression, they

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