This message is from: Eric Kozowski <[email protected]>
On 7/12/2010 6:29 PM, Melinda Schumacher wrote:
Am I being overly cautious to keep them stabled?
In my opinion, stabling a horse is the worst thing you can do to them.
Horses are made to move essentially constantly. Their digestive health
requires it. My horses are turned out 24x7x365 in temperatures from -25
to 105, including thunderstorms, 70+ MPH winds, rain, snow, sleet, ice,
etc. They do have a loafing shed, but they don't use it often.
Protection from the wind seems to be the most important, followed by
protection from the rain.
In the last 10 years, I've had two emergency vet calls. One was for a
minor puncture wound on a leg, which healed up quickly without lasting
injury and the other was for a limping horse that turned out to have
been an injury from being kicked in the stifle by another horse. We
have had zero colic, etc. (of course, I've probably just jinxed myself
now). Our horse herd includes a fjord, quarter horses and
thoroughbreds, ages 12 to 22, used for eventing, ranch work, draft work,
trail riding, etc.
If you want a healthy horse, leave them turned out, take care of their
feet when needed, make sure they have plenty of clean water and clean
forage. Grain, "wonder" supplements, etc. are generally not necessary
and many times cause more harm than good. Avoid stalls whenever you
can. Hobble train all your horses, even if you never intend to use them
on the trail. It teaches them to no panic if they get tangled up in
wire, bale twine, etc. and reduces the chance of injury. If you trail
ride, hobbles are a great "parking brake" for your horse. Expose your
horses to dogs, both large and small. One less thing for them to panic
over on the trail, etc.
Anyway, just my thoughts on horse care.
--
"You can see what man made from the seat of an automobile, but the best
way to see what god made is from the back of a horse."
- Charles M. Russell
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