Caring for a horse is much more than:

feeding them twice a day and riding them.

A horse's wellbeing is shaped by what happens across the entire day.

What do they eat?

How long do they spend foraging?

Do they have access to water?

Can they move freely?

Do they have contact with other horses?

Are their feet comfortable?

Has their behaviour changed?

Are their teeth, vaccinations and parasite-control programme being managed?

And perhaps most importantly:

do you know what normal looks like for your horse?

Good horse care is not one task.

It is a system of everyday observation, preventive healthcare and an environment designed around the needs of the horse.

The foundations of good horse care

A useful way to think about horse welfare is through three fundamental needs:

Friends

Horses are highly social animals and benefit from appropriate interaction with other horses.

Forage

Horses evolved to spend large portions of their day grazing and foraging.

Freedom

Horses need opportunities to move, explore their environment and exercise choice.

World Horse Welfare describes these as the 3Fs — Friends, Forage and Freedom and recommends incorporating them into everyday management wherever possible.

This is a much better starting point for horse care than simply asking:

“Does my horse have a stable, food and water?”

The better question is:

“Does my horse's everyday life allow them to behave like a horse?”

Quick daily horse-care checklist

Every day

FOOD & WATER

• Fresh, clean water available
• Appropriate forage available
• Eating normally
• Drinking normally
• Feed appropriate to weight, workload and health

HEALTH

• Bright and responsive
• Eyes appear normal
• No new wounds
• No unusual lumps or swelling
• No unexpected heat
• Breathing appears normal at rest
• Urinating normally
• Droppings appear normal

MOVEMENT

• Walking normally
• No obvious lameness
• No unusual stiffness
• Normal willingness to move

HOOVES

• Hooves checked
• Feet picked out
• No obvious stones, injuries or abnormalities
• Shoes secure where applicable

BEHAVIOUR

• Behaviour normal for this horse
• Normal interaction with other horses
• No unusual withdrawal or agitation

ENVIRONMENT

• Safe fencing
• Shelter available
• Stable/field safe
• Bedding/environment appropriately maintained

This checklist is not a veterinary examination.

Its purpose is to help you notice:

change.

1. Check your horse every day

Daily observation is one of the most important parts of horse ownership.

The RSPCA recommends checking horses every day for signs of injury or illness, while World Horse Welfare advises that horses should be visited at least daily and ideally more frequently.

The British Horse Society goes further in its practical ownership guidance, recommending that horses are checked at least twice daily whether stabled or living out.

The precise management routine will depend on:

• housing;
• turnout;
• health;
• age;
• weather;
• feeding arrangements;
• individual needs.

But a horse should never simply be left unchecked for extended periods.

2. Learn what normal looks like for your horse

This principle runs through almost every 1KAHU Academy health guide.

Do not only learn what a healthy horse looks like.

Learn what your horse looks like when healthy.

Know their normal:

• appetite;
• drinking;
• droppings;
• urination;
• energy;
• behaviour;
• movement;
• posture;
• social interaction;
• body condition.

World Horse Welfare also recommends becoming familiar with an individual horse's normal resting:

• temperature;
• pulse;
• respiration.

For a healthy adult horse, it gives typical resting ranges of approximately:

Temperature: 37.5–38.5°C

Pulse: 36–42 beats/minute

Respiration: 8–12 breaths/minute

But individual baselines matter, and readings can vary with factors such as exercise, environment and health.

Have an equine veterinarian show you how to measure vital signs correctly.

3. Water is essential

Every horse should have access to:

clean, fresh water.

World Horse Welfare stresses that lack of water is dangerous and that water should be available through an appropriate clean source such as:

• buckets;
• troughs;
• automatic drinkers.

Check water systems every day.

Do not simply assume an automatic drinker is working because it worked yesterday.

Check:

• cleanliness;
• supply;
• flow;
• freezing in cold weather;
• contamination;
• damage.

And learn your horse's normal drinking behaviour.

4. Monitor changes in drinking

Water intake can vary considerably depending on:

• temperature;
• exercise;
• diet;
• forage moisture;
• lactation;
• health.

A horse eating dry hay may have different drinking patterns from one grazing moisture-rich pasture.

Therefore:

one universal number is less useful than context + individual baseline.

Pay attention if your horse suddenly:

• drinks much more;
• drinks much less;
• stops drinking;
• repeatedly visits water without appearing to drink normally.

Meaningful changes deserve investigation.

5. Forage should form the foundation of the diet

Horses evolved as grazing animals.

Forage can include:

• grass;
• hay;
• haylage;
• appropriate fibre-based alternatives.

The British Horse Society describes forage as essential to the equine diet and notes that horses evolved to eat little and often, potentially spending many hours each day chewing.

World Horse Welfare similarly describes horses as predominantly grazers and recommends a forage-based diet.

Forage supports more than calorie intake.

It supports:

• digestive health;
• natural feeding behaviour;
• chewing;
• mental wellbeing.

6. Feed the individual horse

There is no perfect universal horse diet.

Feeding needs depend on:

• bodyweight;
• body condition;
• age;
• breed/type;
• workload;
• forage quality;
• pasture;
• health;
• reproductive status.

Some horses maintain appropriate condition largely on forage plus appropriate vitamin/mineral provision.

Others have:

• higher energy requirements;
• specialist nutritional needs;
• medical reasons for dietary modification.

World Horse Welfare notes that many leisure horses may not require substantial concentrate feed and may instead need only an appropriate vitamin/mineral supplement or balancer alongside forage.

More feed does not automatically mean:

better care.

7. Make dietary changes gradually

Horses have a sensitive digestive system.

Sudden changes in:

• forage;
• concentrate feed;
• grazing;
• routine

can increase digestive risk.

The British Horse Society recommends introducing feed changes gradually, ideally over approximately 10–14 days, and stresses that changes to routine should be made progressively.

This is particularly important when:

• moving yards;
• changing hay;
• introducing spring grazing;
• bringing a horse into or out of work;
• changing feed brands.

8. Monitor body condition, not just bodyweight

A horse can look:

“big”

without necessarily having an appropriate body condition.

Similarly, a thick winter coat can conceal weight loss.

Monitor:

• weight where possible;
• body-condition score;
• fat distribution;
• muscle condition;
• changes over time.

Photographs taken consistently from similar angles can also help reveal gradual change.

The objective is not:

“keep every horse slim”

or

“keep every horse well covered.”

It is:

maintain an appropriate condition for that individual horse's health, age and workload.

9. Avoid treating treats as nutrition

Carrots, apples and commercial treats are not the foundation of horse nutrition.

They may sometimes be used appropriately in moderation, but the important dietary questions are:

• Is forage appropriate?
• Is the diet balanced?
• Is body condition appropriate?
• Is the horse receiving enough fibre?
• Are any medical conditions affecting feeding?

The glamorous part of horse ownership is often the least important part nutritionally.

10. Horses need social contact

Horses are herd animals.

Appropriate social contact is therefore not simply an optional enrichment extra.

World Horse Welfare states that socialisation with other horses is an important part of daily life and that herd turnout can allow:

• social bonding;
• mutual grooming;
• play;
• shared rest;
• security.

Where full herd turnout is not possible, management should still seek to provide appropriate:

• visual contact;
• social interaction;
• ideally physical contact

where safe and suitable.

A mirror or toy should not automatically be treated as equivalent to another horse.

11. Horses need freedom to move

Movement is fundamental to equine life.

World Horse Welfare notes that free-ranging horses may travel considerable distances each day and recommends creating opportunities for movement within domestic management.

That may include:

• turnout;
• varied terrain;
• track systems;
• appropriate group turnout;
• groundwork;
• ridden exercise;
• loose schooling.

But there is an important distinction.

Exercise is not exactly the same as freedom.

A one-hour ridden session does not necessarily compensate for spending the other 23 hours with extremely restricted movement.

12. Turnout is about more than exercise

Turnout can provide:

• movement;
• grazing/foraging;
• social contact;
• exploration;
• behavioural choice.

Its management should consider:

• pasture quality;
• fencing;
• poisonous plants;
• mud;
• weather;
• shelter;
• water;
• herd dynamics;
• bodyweight;
• laminitis risk;
• injury risk.

There is no single turnout formula suitable for every horse.

The goal should be to maximise welfare while managing genuine individual risks.

13. Provide appropriate shelter

Horses need protection from challenging environmental conditions.

Depending on climate and management, shelter may include:

• natural shelter;
• field shelters;
• stabling.

Consider:

• wind;
• rain;
• heat;
• sun;
• insects;
• cold.

Do not assume that because a horse has access to a stable:

the environmental problem is solved.

Ventilation, temperature, bedding, cleanliness, movement and social contact all matter.

14. Keep the environment safe

Inspect your horse's environment regularly.

Look for:

• broken fencing;
• protruding nails;
• sharp edges;
• damaged gates;
• loose wire;
• poisonous plants;
• unstable surfaces;
• damaged feeders;
• unsafe equipment.

Something that was safe last week may not be safe today.

Horses are large, powerful animals.

Small environmental defects can cause significant injuries.

15. Stable management matters

If your horse spends time stabled, the stable should support:

• comfort;
• ventilation;
• hygiene;
• safe movement;
• appropriate bedding;
• access to water;
• forage;
• social contact where possible.

Remove excessive manure and wet bedding according to the management system being used.

Check:

• water;
• feed;
• bedding;
• walls;
• doors;
• fittings

every day.

16. Grooming is more than making a horse look clean

Grooming provides an opportunity to inspect the horse closely.

While grooming, look for:

• cuts;
• swelling;
• heat;
• skin problems;
• tenderness;
• ticks or parasites;
• rubs;
• unusual lumps.

World Horse Welfare specifically recommends checking the body and limbs for injuries, lumps, swelling and heat as part of the daily health assessment.

This transforms grooming from:

cosmetic maintenance

into:

health monitoring.

17. Do not remove sensory hairs without good reason

The whiskers around a horse's:

• muzzle;
• eyes

have sensory functions.

The British Horse Society notes that these tactile hairs have their own nerve and blood supply and help horses navigate their surroundings.

Care routines should respect equine anatomy rather than prioritising cosmetic appearance.

18. Check hooves every day

Hoof care is fundamental.

The RSPCA recommends inspecting hooves daily, including picking out the underside of the foot.

Look for:

• stones;
• cracks;
• unusual smell;
• discharge;
• heat;
• tenderness;
• loose shoes;
• missing shoes;
• foreign objects.

The British Horse Society stresses that healthy hooves are essential for comfort, movement and overall wellbeing, whether a horse is shod or barefoot.

19. Barefoot horses still need professional hoof care

No shoes does not mean:

no farrier.

Hooves continue to grow and need appropriate balancing and trimming.

The RSPCA advises regular farrier attention even for unshod horses and notes that the exact interval depends on factors such as:

• season;
• workload;
• type of work;
• individual hoof growth.

A commonly encountered interval may be around six weeks, but your farrier should determine what is appropriate for the individual horse.

20. Learn to recognise lameness

Lameness is not simply:

“the horse is limping badly.”

Changes can be subtle.

Watch for:

• uneven steps;
• shortened stride;
• head movement;
• reluctance to turn;
• stiffness;
• altered performance;
• reluctance to move;
• unusual behaviour during riding.

The RSPCA advises that a lame horse should not be worked and should receive veterinary assessment.

Do not try to:

“ride them through it.”

21. Dental care is part of routine horse care

Horse teeth require regular professional assessment.

Dental problems can affect:

• chewing;
• appetite;
• weight;
• comfort;
• performance.

The RSPCA recommends dental checks by an appropriately qualified professional at least annually, while noting that individual needs can vary.

Possible signs of dental problems include:

• dropping feed;
• difficulty chewing;
• quidding;
• unexplained weight loss;
• bad breath;
• resisting the bit;
• behavioural changes when ridden.

But dental disease can also develop before obvious signs appear.

That is why preventive examination matters.

22. Vaccination should be planned with your veterinarian

Vaccination recommendations vary by:

• country;
• disease prevalence;
• horse's age;
• travel;
• competition;
• yard environment;
• reproductive status;
• individual risk.

In the UK, organisations including the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare emphasise vaccination against equine influenza and tetanus as part of routine preventive healthcare.

In the United States, AAEP identifies:

• tetanus;
• Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis;
• West Nile virus;
• rabies

as core vaccines, with additional vaccines selected according to risk.

This difference is important.

There is no globally universal horse vaccination schedule.

1KAHU should record the veterinary vaccination plan rather than invent one based solely on the horse's age.

Article 22 will cover this in detail.

23. Parasite control should be risk-based

Traditional horse management sometimes followed a simple rule:

“Worm every horse every X weeks.”

Modern parasite management is more sophisticated.

The RSPCA recommends developing a deworming programme with a veterinarian based on regular testing and treatment when indicated.

The AAEP's current internal parasite guidelines similarly recommend using faecal egg counts to identify shedding patterns and explicitly advise against fixed year-round deworming at short intervals or blindly rotating dewormer classes.

The correct programme depends on:

• individual horse;
• herd;
• pasture;
• region;
• parasite exposure;
• test results.

24. Vaccination and parasite control are not the same thing

For new guardians this distinction sounds obvious, but it is worth making explicit.

Vaccination helps protect against selected infectious diseases.

Parasite control manages internal or external parasite risk.

Biosecurity helps reduce infectious disease transmission.

Routine health examination helps identify problems.

They are different components of preventive care.

A horse can be:

fully vaccinated

and still need:

• parasite monitoring;
• dental care;
• hoof care;
• veterinary examination.

25. Exercise should match the horse

Exercise requirements vary enormously.

A:

• retired pony;
• young horse;
• leisure horse;
• endurance horse;
• competition horse

should not follow the same exercise programme.

Consider:

• age;
• fitness;
• health;
• conformation;
• workload;
• surface;
• weather;
• previous injury.

Fitness should be built progressively.

The British Horse Society emphasises maintaining fitness appropriate to the horse's age and individual health.

26. Rest and recovery matter too

Good horse care does not mean:

more exercise every day.

Recovery is part of training.

Monitor:

• fatigue;
• stiffness;
• appetite;
• hydration;
• recovery after exercise;
• behaviour;
• willingness to work.

Changes can signal that the current workload needs reassessment.

27. Tack must fit the horse

A saddle or bridle that fitted well last year may not fit now.

Horses change shape due to:

• fitness;
• muscle development;
• age;
• weight change;
• season.

Poorly fitting tack can cause discomfort and injury. The RSPCA recommends regular tack checks and appropriate maintenance.

Watch for:

• rubs;
• swelling;
• hair changes;
• sensitivity;
• reluctance to be saddled;
• behavioural changes when ridden.

Do not immediately label these behaviours:

“naughty.”

Pain or discomfort should be considered.

28. Behaviour is health information

A horse's behaviour is one of the most valuable parts of their health baseline.

Learn their normal:

• greeting behaviour;
• appetite;
• social behaviour;
• willingness to move;
• reaction to grooming;
• attitude when ridden;
• resting behaviour.

A normally sociable horse suddenly standing alone at the edge of the field deserves attention.

A normally enthusiastic horse suddenly reluctant to move deserves attention.

World Horse Welfare specifically recommends monitoring changes from a horse's typical behaviour because they can indicate problems with health or environment.

29. Do not automatically call behavioural change “bad behaviour”

Imagine a horse that suddenly:

• pins their ears during saddling;
• refuses to go forward;
• becomes difficult to catch;
• reacts when groomed over the back.

Possible explanations include training or environmental factors.

But discomfort must also be considered.

The RSPCA notes that changes in behaviour can be an early indication that a horse is:

• ill;
• injured;
• in pain.

The better question is not:

“How do I stop this behaviour?”

It is:

“Why has this behaviour changed?”

30. Monitor droppings

Horse droppings provide useful everyday information.

Learn what is normal for your horse.

Pay attention to changes in:

• frequency;
• quantity;
• consistency;
• appearance.

Changes may relate to:

• diet;
• grazing;
• stress;
• digestive disturbance;
• illness.

Droppings alone cannot diagnose a condition.

But a meaningful change belongs in the overall health picture.

31. Monitor urination

Know what is normal for your horse.

Pay attention to:

• significant changes in frequency;
• apparent discomfort;
• straining;
• unusual behaviour;
• marked changes alongside drinking.

If you are concerned, contact your veterinarian.

32. Know the signs of colic

“Colic” describes abdominal pain rather than one single disease.

Possible signs can include:

• pawing;
• looking at the flank;
• repeated lying down;
• rolling;
• sweating;
• reduced appetite;
• reduced droppings;
• unusual restlessness;
• depression.

Presentation varies.

Some horses show dramatic signs.

Others are much subtler.

Suspected colic warrants veterinary advice promptly.

Do not use an Academy article or AI symptom conversation to delay calling the veterinarian.

33. Know your horse's emergency plan

Before an emergency happens, know:

Veterinary practice

Out-of-hours number

Horse's location

Transport options

Insurance details

Medication

Medical history

Emergency contact

Normal vital signs

If your horse is cared for by:

• yard staff;
• grooms;
• family;
• sharers;
• riders,

make sure they know what to do.

The British Horse Society recommends having a written equine care plan available so another person can maintain the horse's routine and access the necessary information when the guardian is absent.

This is a particularly strong use case for 1KAHU.

34. Routine matters—but rigidity can be harmful

Horses often benefit from a predictable routine.

But good management must still adapt to:

• weather;
• health;
• pasture;
• workload;
• age;
• body condition.

The British Horse Society notes that horses benefit from consistency and that routine changes should be introduced gradually where possible.

The goal is:

consistency without ignoring the horse in front of you.

35. Seasonal care changes

Horse care changes through the year.

Spring

Consider:

• pasture changes;
• weight gain;
• laminitis risk;
• insects.

Summer

Consider:

• heat;
• hydration;
• flies;
• sun;
• grazing.

Autumn

Consider:

• changing grass;
• weight;
• coat;
• routine transitions.

Winter

Consider:

• water freezing;
• forage availability;
• mud;
• shelter;
• hoof condition;
• reduced movement.

Seasonality should be part of the care plan rather than an afterthought.

36. Older horses may need different care

Ageing does not affect every horse identically.

Older horses may require closer monitoring of:

• teeth;
• weight;
• muscle;
• mobility;
• joint comfort;
• feeding;
• endocrine health;
• immunity.

Some remain active well into later life.

Others need significant management changes.

Do not base care simply on:

date of birth.

Base it on:

age + health + function + individual needs.

37. Young horses also need age-appropriate management

Foals and growing horses have different:

• nutritional;
• social;
• exercise;
• preventive-health

needs from mature horses.

Growth should not be accelerated simply by feeding more.

Exercise should not mimic an adult performance programme.

Preventive care should be developed with appropriate equine professionals.

38. Your horse needs a care team

Horse ownership is inherently multidisciplinary.

Depending on the horse, the care team may include:

Equine veterinarian

Farrier

Equine dental professional

Saddle fitter

Physiotherapist or other appropriately qualified therapist

Trainer/instructor

Nutrition professional

Yard manager

Groom

The horse's care becomes safer when these professionals can understand the same history.

39. Keep health records

A horse may accumulate years of:

• vaccination certificates;
• veterinary invoices;
• dental reports;
• diagnostic imaging;
• laboratory results;
• farrier history;
• medication;
• parasite testing;
• weight records;
• insurance documents.

Do not wait until an emergency to try to find them.