By ARIEL UNIVER
Equine professionals carry a majority of the responsibility in the horse industry. I often find myself climbing up on my soapbox to talk about the key factors in what I describe as a good horse care program’s “recipe for success”.
This is a discussion I’ll have when I’m giving a tour of our facility and explaining to prospective customers what I value in terms of horsecare. It also comes up often while teaching clinics, where I like to start by telling my students about my philosophy in creating horses of sound mind and body, and how this process starts well before we tack up and ride. Sometimes I even find myself up late at night (not uncommon for me!) perusing the different equestrian forums on Facebook, and putting my two cents into the “why is my horse acting this way?” or “why is my horse looking this way?” questions.
As someone who’s dedicated their life to understanding the care and training of horses from a behavioral and physiological standpoint–no matter the method–I never miss an opportunity to try to educate.
I am not all knowing. Quite the opposite. Just 20 years ago, when I started my career with horses, I knew next to nothing. Now, after years in pursuit of understanding how these amazing animals function, I can confidently say I know… slightly more than nothing.
And in 20 more years, maybe I’ll know a bit more if I’m lucky. Learning never stops. A lifetime isn’t long enough with horses, if your pursuit is to truly understand how they tick.
Continuing my goal to make as much information available as possible, this article highlights what I have learned to be the key ingredients in setting horses up to be in a healthy relationship with their environment.
I’ll preface by saying I do not, and have never, owned my own facility. My program has been in a few different facilities over the years. From what some would consider “backyard” to what others would say is “upscale”. Because of this, I’ve been able to compile this crucial care list through years of trial and error.
No matter the level, in my experience, if you are able to provide these things in a meaningful capacity, you’re more likely to have a partner that can grow and develop properly.
1. Turnout
This is the first thing on my list for a reason. I’m well aware that there are lots of high level programs in all disciplines that do not turn their horses out or limit turnout because of the liability factor, or viewing the high dollar horses as an investment or property. The thought being, I assume, they are somehow safer in a stall than in a field. I am not here to say those programs are “wrong”, but I will say that personally I want my horses outside as much as possible. This is my philosophy as to why:
Horses are grazing animals, and herd animals. If they are in a position to socialize and move their feet during the day while eating, their bodies and minds benefit greatly. Grazing (whether it’s a grass paddock or hay is provided outside) affords them the ability to walk and eat all day, which is what their bodies are evolutionarily designed to do. It keeps their weight healthier, their bodies relaxed, and greatly lowers the risk of GI issues like ulcers and colic. Emotionally, having access to other herd members and living in a structured hierarchy with their pasture mates gives them the ability to learn the social cues that we as riders need for our own dynamics. Lessons like “don’t encroach on my personal space”, for example. As a trainer, I find that if horses don’t learn this socially from other horses, they’re much less likely to respect it when we assert our own boundaries.
Horses that get a substantial amount of daily turnout tend to be easier to work with, and less likely to be spooky and anxious. Is it a cure all for these issues? No. But it certainly helps to allow them the space and time to be horses, eat, move, enjoy fresh air. Kids in school need recess or they’re sulky and distracted in class. Horses are no different. Are you risking a pulled shoe, a laceration from a fence, or a hot tendon? Sure. But if I’m being honest, I’ve seen stalled horses hurt themselves in a box. Bubble wrapping the horse creates more problems than it fixes.
2. Forage
I will talk about hay until I’m blue in the face if you let me. It’s incredibly foundational to equine health. They are not designed to eat 3 square meals a day and go hours in between with no food. As I mentioned above, ulcers begin forming in a horse’s gastrointestinal tracts immediately once their stomachs are empty. They naturally create gallons of stomach acid a day and without a constant intake of hay, the stomach begins eating away at itself instantly. Free choice hay is the best and only way to ensure happy healthy digestive tracts, and any good barn makes this a priority. Hay is expensive, yes. Especially high quality hay. But so is ulcer treatments and replacing chewed stall boards from hungry frustrated horses boredom habits. In my program, the horses have piles of hay 24/7. The ones that eat too fast or mess their hay have hay nets. But they never have to go without.
Side note: Alfalfa in any form is an amazing addition. Soaked. Flaked. Cubed. Absolutely fantastic for horses’ overall health. I swear by it.
3. Footing
This is another thing that barns have to maintain properly and often. Drags, footing replacements when necessary, and hiring a knowledgeable arena company that can help guide you in proper footing and base maintenance. I know when riding and teaching I can see a substantial difference in the way my horses work when they’re comfortable. The long term effects on their soundness is noticeable as well. If footing is hard, slick, or uneven, your horses will suffer the effects one way or another.
4. A knowledgeable trainer that matches your goals
If you intend to show Grand Prix, you need a trainer with Grand Prix experience. If you want your colt started with 60 days training, you need a trainer who starts colts. If you lost confidence jumping, you need a trainer who specializes in helping riders regain confidence. There’s no such thing as a trainer who’s perfect for everyone! Yes, there are great trainers, and there are also terrible ones. We’ve all seen and can think of examples of both. But there’s many who just as well may be really good for you and not so good for someone else.
The most important thing is choosing the right one–you need to put your horse under the care and supervision of someone who can get you and your horse where you both need to go. The environment for the horse and the rider have to match in order for both to achieve success.
Not including:
You’ll notice on this list I did not mention grain. I’m not saying it’s not important. A high quality grain is an amazing addition to a horse’s care regimen. But proper forage and hay outweighs its importance, in my opinion. Supplements… don’t come for me on this one. Every rider I know has at least one supplement they swear by. And they can be beneficial! For example, I love vitamin E. But it has to be liquid. A lot of powder and pellet feed through supplements are processed through the system too quickly to allow them to reap much benefit. This is something a trusted vet imparted on me once, and I noticed it over time to be true.
Again, this isn’t a black and white statement. There are a million different products on the market for hoof health and shiny coats and what have you that certainly make a notable difference. And if you love the product, by all means, use it. My own personal horse is on two supplements! It doesn’t make my list because it doesn’t rank high enough, to me, in basic fundamental care needs.
Every trainer is different. Every barn is different. Every horse is different. And every client is different.
Right now I am incredibly fortunate to run my program out of a facility where the owners (who are also a trainer and friend) are very likeminded. They value the care to the same degree that I do, and prioritize their horsecare in a way very similarly to myself. This has allowed me to take a massive breath, and given me the ability to focus on training again.
If you take something valuable out of this article, great! If you disagree with some or all of it, that’s okay too. The industry widely varies in horse care philosophies for a reason, and different factors matter differently to each program.
My perspective is born from a lifelong quest to understand the animal I love. My hope for the horse industry is that everyone creates their own horse care system from the same motivation.
