Welcoming a horse into your life may be something you have dreamed about for a long time. So, when you are finally able to make this dream come true, it’s vital that you properly prepare for your new pet’s arrival. Caring for a horse is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a lot of work. The more prepared you are before your horse arrives, the easier life with your new horse will be. Keep reading to learn more about some of the main ways you can prepare for getting your first horse.
Budget for the Cost of Caring for Your Horse
Buying a horse is often expensive. But the biggest costs involved are the regular amounts you will pay out to care for your horse. From feeding costs, to farrier visits, to vet checkups, there are many expenses that come with sharing your life with a horse. So, it’s wise to calculate how much keeping a horse will roughly cost, so that you can budget for caring for your horse.
Find the Best Professionals
To keep your horse fit and healthy there are some ongoing medical checkups and maintenance that you will need to schedule in on a regular basis. It’s helpful to do your research now, and seek out the best professionals for the job.
Choosing an experienced equine vet in advance means that you will know exactly who to call if your horse is unwell. The vet will need to visit at least once a year to vaccinate your horse and carry out routine dental checks.
As well as finding an equine vet, you will also need to choose a farrier. Your horse will need their hooves trimmed regularly (approximately every six weeks) and reshoeing periodically. So, it’s helpful to schedule these appointments in advance.
Create Shelter for Your Horse
Creating some shelter for your horse is absolutely essential to protect it against the elements. Choosing grazing pastures for your horse that have a shelter that they can access at all times. The shelter will need to be robust enough to withstand harsh winds and have at least three sides to offer protection against different wind directions. When winter arrives, extra steps may be necessary to keep your horse warm. Investing in winter horse blankets before the weather gets colder will ensure that you don’t get caught out if temperatures drop earlier than expected.
Decide on Your Routine
Just like dogs, horses thrive on routine. So, before you get your horse it’s wise to think about how you will incorporate their care into your daily routine. Figuring this out around work can be tricky, but it’s beneficial to stick with a routine as you can be sure that once your horse gets used to you arriving at a certain time they’ll come to expect it. You will need to visit your horses to take care of them at least twice a day, so it’s important to plan how you will make this work around your other commitments and responsibilities.
A penny for your thoughts?