When people think of how wonderful it would be to own a horse, they imagine graceful dressage in the riding arena and the beauty of a well-groomed animal. But this beautiful picture has a downside—invisible worries and daily labor. A horse owner must be attentive to the little things constantly and also be very responsible. In short, owning a horse is 5% spectacular outings and 95% routine, steady, and disciplined.
My day at the stables starts early, and work is already in full swing when the city is just beginning to wake up. Horses are fed, and the water is changed; bedding is replaced. At the slightest deviation from the usual rhythm, it is necessary to check the cause of this deviation—the horse must have a good appetite, and it is essential to monitor the temperature in the room. A healthy horse eats about 10 kilograms of feed and drinks about 40 liters of water daily. It is important to ensure that feed is delivered regularly, communicate with suppliers, and keep records of expenses.
A monotonous, yet one of the most critical tasks is cleaning the den. Since the horse produces manure daily, cleaning it up on time is essential, as it affects the hoof health among other things. I use various options for bedding, from straw to modern pellets, and the choice depends not only on the budget but also on the conditions in the stable.
After all morning procedures are done, the horses are necessarily trained. The nature of the training and the specific loads depend on the horse’s health and physical condition. Before starting the training, I make sure to check the equipment so that there is no problem later. In addition, it is essential to do warm-ups and warm-downs so that the exercise is highly beneficial to the animal’s health. It is crucial to warm up in winter, when unheated tendons can cause injury.
After work, I make sure to treat the hooves. Sometimes I put bandages with cooling gel on my legs. For sport horses, prevention of inflammation and irritation is not just important – it is part of the daily routine. After all treatments, the horse is given feed, often at the same time the veterinarian comes in. I renew the horseshoes every 5-6 weeks, and every six months, I check the teeth. Massages are also increasingly part of the animal’s care, and working with the soft tissues is essential. A modern approach to the animal involves taking all the details into account.
As for the afternoon, it all depends on the horse – some will have a light workout, some will just be walked. I, for example, have a short walk and a training session. After that, the horses are fed, the bedding is changed again, and water is given. In the rhythm of these daily routines, it is essential to find time and switch so that the routine does not become burdensome. I, for example, use quick visual games like Plinko for this – you just pop a balloon and watch the result. Besides, you don’t need to download anything to your smartphone. It’s enough to visit sites like PlinkoGames and find a place to play. After a few minutes of such relaxation, I’m ready to get on with the horses.
