 Perhaps no
other domestic animal embodies the romance of the Rocky Mountain West than
the horse. Tall, powerful, sleek in shape,
graceful in stride and the subject of legends, myths, stories and very
real history, horses are as much a part of western Montana today
as they have always been.
Horses are magical creatures that are at once mysterious and humble.
They can be understood and trained, but on their terms and based on
their temperament. They are herbivores and lack a hunting instinct present
in other mammals, but they have a strong sense of self-preservation and powerful bodies. Once you build trust with an animal, you
can train the horses, creating a lasting bond.
Caring for horses is a challenge — though rewarding. If you're up for
it, there are a few things you should know. The animals need a good deal
of food, fresh water and room to graze. They also require veterinary
care and human contact.
On the home front, it’s important to remember that horses need quite a
bit of space. Some say 20 acres per horse. So two horses on a three-acre
plot is not sufficient. And horses need an average of 20 pounds of food
and about 10 gallons of water a day. Horses can often find what they
need grazing a pasture, but the animals are selective eaters, and you
may need to plant seeds and rotate the animals around different pastures
so the horses can meet their nutritional needs and you can sustain the
health of your pasture.
Other feeding options include hay — perhaps the most common forms of
food for horses. Hay types vary depending on the area and the supplier,
but make sure it is quality hay, whatever you buy. Avoid dusty hay or
hay that is moldy. Green hay is best. If yours is a working or pregnant
horse, you may want to supplement your horse’s diet with concentrates,
which should be added to a horse’s diet. And don’t forget to put out a
mineral salt block, especially in the summer.
Horses also need regular veterinary care. Because they eat from the
ground, they are constantly exposed to intestinal worms and should be
“dewormed” about every two months. Also, you’ll want to have a
blacksmith provide routine hoof care and trimming about every couple of
months. And once a year, you should have your horse vaccinated against
tetanus and other common horse diseases.
So what happens if your horse is not well? Because horses are prey
animals in the wild, they show no outward or obvious sign of pain or
weakness, but an observant owner can tell when a horse is lame, which is
when a horse will stand or trot differently to compensate for pain
somewhere. It is up to the owner to figure out where the source of pain
is based on examining the animal, and then take the appropriate measure
to help the animal heal.
Your horses need exercise and human care. They are no longer wild
creatures. So, rustle up the gang, saddle up the horses and hit the
trail. Giddy up!
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