HORSE MANAGEMENT.

Horse keeping and management is very vital to performance and health . The proper management can be achieved by following these tips; 1) nutritious food must be provided at the right quality and quantity. 2) Proper vaccinations and medications. 3) Hoof care and dental care. 4)Water should be available at all times and remember to check your source of water.Test every water source before you serve it. 5) The stables/barn must be properly ventilated.Enclosed housing should allow free flow of air to control temperature,humidity and prevent staleness of air. 6)The environment must be clean,dry and safe.The environment must be free from poisonous chemicals, paints,lead or rodent baits. 7)The enclosure/stable must have sufficient space for exercise. HOUSING RECOMMENDATION. The housing area must be clean and not waterlogged.It must be well covered to protect the horses from harsh weather and extreme temperature.The exposure to inclement weather,will predispose to rain rot .There must be adequate feed buckets,water bowls and dry bedding must be provided.The bedding must be clean and dry.The housing design can be a barn or stable or an open sided house.The building must be properly sited so that the horses have access to pasture and exercise area. There must be a storage section in the building to house the hay,grain,farm tools and other equipment.The store area must be clean and rodent proof to prevent contamination of feed.Diseases can occur if feed is contaminated by urine and fecal matter. The pasture area must be clean and well demarcated and must be free of objects such as nails,broken bottles,nylon bags ,iron coils e.t.c that can be injurious to the horses. Health care; this can be preventive or treatment.The preventive aspect involves vaccination,deworming program,hoof treatment and yearly teeth examination. Treatment will be medications, dressings,wound treatment and pain medication when injuries or accidents occur. photo credit; the horse.com.