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will develop vices such as weaving or cribbing. Horses get bored if they are stabled too much or if their riding routine is dull and without purpose or variety. A barrel racer, for example, will enjoy a, occasional trail ride rather than just running barrels day after day.

7. Regular grooming has three benefits, it keeps your horses skin and coat healthy. It helps you bond with your horse, and if your horse has injured itself, you will quickly notice any swelling or tender spots. Regular grooming includes sheath cleaning if you own a gelding or stallion.

8. Horses benefit from having a friend, they are herd animals. If you cannot have a second horse, even the company of a donkey, goat, or llama, will help your horse to be healthier, both mentally, and physically. A horse will exercise more with a companion.

9. Horses require shelter from the wind, rain, heat, and snow. Even a small stand of trees is better than nothing, but a proper shelter is better than that. If you stable your horse, make sure the stall is safe and bedded correctly. Fencing should be in good repair, and checked regularly. The pasture should neither be muddy nor rock hard. If the horse is stabled, the stall should be kept well bedded, and dry.

10. Finally, the best way to keep your horse as healthy as a horse, is by spending a lot of time with it. Knowing what your horses normal behavior is, will alert you quickly to problems.
Prevention of problems is the best way of saving yourself a lot of worry and expense. Acting quickly when there is a problem is the second best thing an owner can do to help keep their equine friend happy and healthy.

Learn more about this author, Brenda Nelson.
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