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Spending quality time with your horse is important in allowing a natural bond to develop, as well as allowing you to learn your horses responses and reactions to different situations. You will learn to read their body language over time. A calm and resonsive manner is a sign of a happy horse. They will keep their head lowered, and have soft eyes and a relaxed jaw. A horse when happy will not invade your personal space – this is a sign of respect in seeking affection from you. When a horse yawns this is not a sign of being bored, but a sign that he is calm and relaxed. Be aware that if your horse holds his head high with a tense jaw and darting eyes whilst showing a reluctance to stand still, then this is a sign that he is not comfortable and something is troubling him. You must let the horse settle down in his own time, otherwise he may feel trapped and possibly go into “flight” mode, making him even more stressed.

Regular grooming gives you the opportunity not only to spend quality time together, but also for you to check your horse over. Pay close attention to your horse’s eyes, teeth, shoes and hooves and inspect his droppings regularly. Any change in the normal should be reported to your vet at the earliest opportunity – any delay could cause you extra worry, expense and a potential claim on your horse insurance. Your vet will be able to advance book the appropriate appointments for regular worming and vaccinations. If you rotate medications you stand a better chance of killing off as many different types of worms and parasites as possible and also giving less time for them to build immunity. It’s important for the prevention of colic, heart and immune system problems to give correct equine medication. Vaccinations for encephalitis, rhinoneumonitis and influenza are essential for a healthy horse. Also advisable while not necessarily essential would be vaccinations against tetanus and rabies. If you are a regular with the horse trailers at horse shows etc, your horse may need to show a negative Coggins test, which is for a serious equine virus called equine infectious anaemia (EIA) for which there is no cure or treatment.

An important part of keeping a horse happy and comfortable is making sure you have a good farrier who visits regularly. When your horse’s feet are allowed to get long and unbalanced, it is inevitably uncomfortable and will in time affect the horse’s mood and performance. The farrier should trim hooves every six to eight weeks or more often if needed.

During wet and cold weather you should provide a blanket or coat for your horse, and in the summer he will need a fly-protective sheet. Horses can produce a soapy lather when they sweat, so it can be good to use a horse cooler after exercise. You should not give a horse water straight after being ridden – this could induce a shock to their system. Also, after exercising, ensure that your horse has regained its normal body temperature and breathing before feeding. You shouldn’t exercise your horse straight after eating – leave it for at least an hour.

Horses need to have a purpose in life – whether this be for work or pleasure. Horses glory in feeling worthwhile. It is important that your horse has a focus, especially when young and not broken in; a simple praise when they stand still or in the correct place makes them feel that everything is ok. As horses are naturally inquisitive animals, they will become more brave, positive and confident the more new experiences you introduce to them.

A horse is a beautiful and magnificent creature that deserves a good home for life with excellent care. You have a responsibility as a horse owner to provide the very best in care and welfare. Keeping a horse can be a very expensive business, and without good horse insurance provided by a specialist equine insurer, it is possible to quickly run into financial problems if your horse should become sick or sustain an injury. Providing the very best for your horse will reap you the rewards of love, loyalty and devotion from your equine companion.