Fall Horse Tips

Fall's arrival marks the time of year when we must prepare for the upcoming winter and a visit to the vet might be in order to update all shots. One vaccine that is very important this time of year is the flu/rhino shot. Also, have your horse’s Coggins updated while at the vet if the expiration is nearing.

If your horse is in normal physical condition, it is recommended to give a double dose of Strongid in the late fall – the only proven way to kill tapeworms. It may also be wise to schedule a visit with your equine dentist for routine maintenance. The dentist will insert the mouth speculum so he can safely file down any sharp points or hooks to avoid interference with bite placements or chewing food.

Now that your horse is all set, take a close look to determine whether any repairs are needed around the barn. If the horse lives outside, make sure their shed is in good condition with no leaks or loose boards. Walk the fence line and check for broken boards or loose nails. For an inside horse, check the stall as you would any other. It is better to anticipate problems now than repair them during the cold winter weather.

Spring/Summer Horse Tips

Schedule appointments with your vet during this time of year for annual check-ups and shots. A visit from your farrier helps prepare for either a busy riding season or seasonal upkeep. Don’t forget to also worm your horses every two months.

Gather up fly masks and take inventory of their condition to determine whether any need to be replaced before the flies of summer return.

It’s also a good idea to spend one of winter’s last cold afternoons cleaning your grooming tools and tack, so when it’s time for the first trail ride or a springtime rolls around you and your horse will be ready to enjoy the sunshine.

Horse Ownership: A commitment of love and time

Horse rescues are often faced with difficult decisions that others refuse to make. All horse owners should know in advance that before even purchasing their horse they must think 25 or more years into the future and ask themselves some hard questions.

Horses live, on average, more than 20 years. If an individual does not plan to keep a horse for its entire life, the owner must be willing to take necessary steps for ensuring the horse is always in a capable, caring home suitable to its needs and abilities. And if a home proves unsuitable, are you willing to take charge of the horse until a more suitable home can be found?

One of the greatest disservices a horse owner can do is to recklessly breed. When the decision is made to bring another horse into an already crowded world, it needs to be based on more than just wanting the experience of seeing a foal born. All horse owners, even professional breeders, need to look down the road and have a plan in place for every stretch of the horse’s life, from the foaling stall to the retirement field. Anything less is negligent and irresponsible, and only increases the suffering rescues like ours are left to deal with every day.

Some difficult questions worth considering prior to breeding would be:

• Should a mare be bred?
• Does she have the conformation, temperament and qualities that when passed on will only improve the quality of the breed?
• Am I willing to make a lifetime commitment to the foal?

An ever-increasing number of horses – indeed, of all animals – are in need of adoption into permanent caring homes and rescues are struggling to accommodate them all.

The increase is due partly to some owners’ inability, for numerous reasons, to meet the demands of caring for a horse. Another is because the Rescue takes in more off-track thoroughbreds perfectly suited to careers other than as race horses.

We are very grateful whenever an owner chooses to place a horse for adoption instead of selling it at a killer auction, and will always work diligently to find appropriate homes for the horses entrusted to our care. Finding a home to provide proper accommodations for each individual horse takes time, and often the Rescue has more horses in need of placement than it has room in our barn. Knowing some of these horses face uncertain futures, and that we could find them suitable homes if we could just house them in the interim, is one of our greatest frustrations.

Right now, the Rescue is in urgent need of knowledgeable, caring foster homes for horses we currently cannot accommodate. All foster-care related costs are tax deductible. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster home for a horse that needs a second chance, please call at (717)428-9701 or visit our Training & Foster Care section.