Some people don`t know,but horses are actually rather delicate creatures
when it comes to their health.They need care to keep them healthy and able
to perform for you.

When a horse gets sick,he or she can`t just get up and go to the doctor like
you or me can.They need their human friends to be their to help them.And if
they don`t get the medical help when need they can die.

The first thing you need to do is get you a very good veterinarian,then it
helps for you to learn all you can about horses too.I am not saying you have
to go to some college or school to learn about horses,their are books and
other people that can help to teach you all about them.

Now,talking about vets,just don`t go out their an get the first vet you
find,it takes time and reserch to find a good vet.That will take up time
with your horse and you.
If,you have one already in your family then best use him or her.

Remember you are looking for a equine vet,not a cat& dog vet.

Nexted on your list you will need to find a good Farrier.Here again check
around ask other people about their Farriers before you just go down the
telephone book and pick the first name out.
This is going to be your horse`s person who takes care of his hoofs,so you
just don`t want someone who is just in it for the money,you want someone who
is going to come to your place and take up time with you and your horse.
You are on the plus side here if you are a Farrier.

Nexted your horse needs to be own the right kind of Feeding,this is most
important to your horse to keep him or her on the right feed,don`t change
the feed around all the time you will cause your horse to colic.
Poor hay or pasture lacks the nutrients may cause a vitamin and mineral
deficiencies Moldy or diseased hay can make your very sick and they can die
from this.
If,you jsut want to save a few bucks on his feed,remember you will be the
cause of him or her getting sick or die.And in the long run,I rather pay a
little more than having a long vet bill due to a horse  sick,cause I saved a
few bucks and got bad feed.

Please rememeber if for some reason you do have to change your horses
feed,do it gradually .

Exercise is next,in the wild horses are getting all their exercise they
need,but some of us have to keep our horses in stalls or in a small place.
They need to be able and get out an run ,jump and play.You can provide a
minium of 30 minutes a day 7 days a week to keep your horse`s  body in
working condition,this will help for his blood circulation,loosen up tight
muscles,and provide mental stimulation .
But remember please to cool your horse down after his or her work out,it
will only take about 10 minutes for you to walk him or her around,so his
body can get back right after your work out with him.
If,your horse lives in a pasture you want have to keep a 7 day work out for
him or her cause he is free to run,walk or jump to keep his muscles in
working condition.

Vaccinating you horse
Their is alot of shots out their that you can keep your horse on but here
are the three most important ones:

Influenza / Rhinopneumonitis:
             These two   respiratory illnesses strike with the same kind of
regularity as human flu viruses and with similar symptoms.Your vet,may have
you give your horse a shot every 3 months for this ,if he or she is at high
risk of this illness.But,normally it is given one time a year.

Equine Encephalomyelitis:
             Three strains of the same encephalomyelitis illnesses-Western
equine encephalomyelitis(WEE),Eastern equine encephalomyelitis(EEE),and
Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis(VEE)
These shots are given due to the mosquito bites.If your horse get the
Encephalomyelitis,this illness attacks the central nervous system and can
cause severe neurological symptoms and even death.
I my self give the shots to my horses twice a year cause of where I live,but
it is normally only given once a year.

Tetanus :
          Tetanus is not contagious but can be contracted through open
wounds.This is a bacterial disease which can have some very serious symptoms
and their have been alot of cases death .Horses are particularly susceptible
to tetanus.BEST TO GIVE THIS SHOT FOR THIS ONCE A YEAR.

Deworming:
   Horses are just like other animals they get worms.And these worms can
cause damage to your horse`s internal organs.If,you don`t worm your horse
this can lead up to chronic colic and even death.
The question next is when do you worm your horse.I worm mine every 3
months,but some have said they worm theirs every 8 weeks.
I do know you will have to retote the wormer you use.
Best if you don`t know is talk this over with your vet.

Hoof Care  :

If you want your horse to do more than just look good for you ,you will have
to make sure his hoofs look good too.
A horse with poor hoof can lead in you not being able to ride him or her.
Best when you find your self that good Farrier,and have him or her come to
you on regular bases.Regular trimming and shoeing by a qualified farrier are
the key to good hoof care.

Trimming:horses` hooves are always growing,just like your finger nails.
                 A horse`s hoofs grow at a different pace,so this varies
from horse to horse about the hoofs.But,the range for trims can be done any
where from 4 weeks to 8 weeks,I wouldn`t let one go pass 8 weeks.

Shoeing: their are alot of horses have to wear metal shoes for
protection.Shoe guard a horse`s hoofs from cracking and splitting.But,you
can ask your farrier here if your horse will need shoes or not.

Teeth:
           Horses depend on their teeth so they can chew their feed,hay or
grass.,so it is very important to have your horses teeth floated once a
year.

Some of the signs of a horses teeth that need to be floated are:
                            1. discomfort when wearing a bit
                            2.Quidding
                            3. you will see unchewed food fall from your
horses mouth
                            4. Recurrent Colic