Horse Health Wellness Calendar

Horse Health Wellness Calendar

These are the daily, monthly, bi-monthly, bi-annually and annually horse-keeping tasks every horse owner should do to ensure a healthy horse.

buckskin stallion stands in green grass field (Credit: Briana Malmquist)

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Our horses are our partners, our friends, integral parts of our business and we want to keep them healthy so they can do their jobs and because we love them. American Association of Equine Practitioners veterinarian Ben Espy lends his expertise about the most important things we can do to keep our horses healthy. 

While each horse and horse-keeping situation is different, there are a few basic health procedures the majority of horses need. 

Daily Horse Care

  • Visually inspect your horses every day. Look over each horse’s body, noting any scrapes, swellings or other injuries. Is he bright and alert? If he is shod, are all of the horse's shoes still attached tightly?
  • Check feed and water consumption, as well as manure output and consistency, if that’s possible.

Monthly Horse Care

Administer a sand-clearing product, if you and your horse are located in arid, sandy areas, or the Soutwestern United States. This is to keep them from accumulating sand in their intestinal tracts, which can lead to colic.

Every Six to Eight Weeks

In this time, most horses require a farrier visit for a trim and to have their shoes reset.

Twice a Year to Four Times per Year

The current AAEP recommendations are to deworm with ivermectin two to four times a year, or use a rotational program three to four times a year, using ivermectin twice and another anthelmintic the other times. 

Yearly

Once a year, schedule a general physical exam. At this time, your vet can handle a number of procedures, including: