“John Galsworthy once said, “I am still under the impression that there is nothing alive so beautiful as a horse.” I’ve always found that quote so relatable because horses truly are some of the most majestic creatures on earth. But keeping them that way takes work so today we’re talking about the top four ways to best take care of your horse.

4: Slow feeding 

Some horses can eat their feed too fast which can lead to choking, colic, Gastric Ulcers or Nutrient Malabsorption which are all very bad for your horse. To fix this problem you can invest into a slow feeder or you can also get a hay slow feeder. Both are really helpful to prevent your horse from having some of the problems? I have listed. If you don’t want to invest into a feeder you can put bigger objects in the feeder that your horse already has. You can also give them soaked feed that you put water in the feeder and let it set for maybe up to 2 hours depending on feed. I already have, but if you feed them pellets, grain or hay then I don’t recommend soaking because If it is left out for too long it could spoil or go bad.

3: Ground work 

If you don’t work on ground work with your horse you may have to deal with a horse that gets easily spooked or they are just very sensitive to noise; it could end in bolting or rearing. The horse will probably become difficult to work with and the horse will also most likely refuse to stand still for grooming or saddling. To find out the top 5 ground work skills to work on watch this video!

2: Hands on body check 

I recommend this because you should know what’s happening to your horse. If your horse happens to get a cut or a mark while in the pasture, maybe then you can treat it and make sure that they can’t? get scratched again. It also helps to go out into your pastures to make sure that they are completely safe still and all  of your fencing is still up and good. For the body check places that I would check are head, neck/shoulders, back/barrel and legs. 

1: Fly Control 

I think that every horse or animal owner in general should have some type of a pest and fly control. Your horses may get Equine Infectious Anemia, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, Pigeon Fever, Salmonella, and Strangles, which are all horrible for your horse. Some horses are allergic to bug bites. Things that you can do to make it safer for your horse are buy them a fly mask. Also, you may need  fly spray for your barn or you can get a fly trap. 

In conclusion, keeping a horse as beautiful and majestic as John Galsworthy described takes real dedication. By focusing on slow feeding, consistent groundwork, daily body checks, and effective fly control, you aren’t just doing chores you’re building a safer healthier life for your partner. These four steps are the foundation of great horsemanship ensuring your horse stays happy and healthy for years to come. Tune in next time for more about horses, keep riding!