Give them some space Horses are naturally very active creatures. They rely on movement to keep their circulation working properly. Horses that do not move enough and kept in stables for an extended period are more prone to small airway inflammation. They can also develop stereotypical behaviours like cribbing, wind sucking, box walking and weaving. Horses are healthiest and happiest outdoors. To avoid developing these stress-related behaviours, they need to have lots of turnout time every day and/or companionship. Ensuring their management is as natural as possible. This involves most importantly that they are getting a foragebased diet and can move around to explore their surroundings. Having regular exercise also helps in reducing stress and boredom. Give your horses ample space where they can wander and stay active. This will also help them maintain a healthy weight at the same time.
Keep other horses nearby
Happy horses eating from their GutzBusta® Round Bale hay net
Horses are herd animals, and they need companions. They feel safer in a location where they have their own kind to live with. Equines that are kept with other horses are less bored and less likely to indulge in stereotypical habits. Having companions also offers an opportunity for foals to learn the etiquette of living in a herd. However, according to the British Horse Society, “when introducing horses to a new group, it is strongly advised, where possible, to turn out the new arrival in an adjacent paddock for a few days so the horses can safely meet their new herd member.” This of course needs to be done with safe fencing. It’s also important to keep in mind that horses should be treated as individuals. You need to observe any signs of bullying and ensure it doesn’t have any negative effect on their health. If a horse is getting particularly bullied by another, then it is best to separate them from the bully as just like us, this is another form of stress.
Perform preventive care As a horse owner, you need to be responsible for taking care of their overall health to keep them as stress-free as possible. Let’s face it, domestication itself is a stress, so being mindful of reducing stress as much as possible is paramount to having happy, healthy horses. Keeping your horses in their best shape starts with preventive health care. This includes routine veterinary care for vaccinations, dental care, grooming and hoof care. Vaccination is an important component of preventive medicine. Getting your horses vaccinated such as for Tetanus, stimulates their immune system against infection. Vaccines are given to equines as the core defence against certain infectious illnesses and viruses. It is also important to recognise that any medication can cause stress and reactions in some animals and the odd case of laminitis has happened post-vaccination.
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