General Information about Horses
What do Horses need
Overall Care: It is very important to pay attention to your horse and its overall health. Having a good working relationship with a veterinarian is a great way to keep your equine happy. Regular exams can ensure teeth are in good condition, maintain a healthy diet, and decrease the likelihood of a major problem that could have been treated in the early stages.
Diet: Horses need to eat about 20% of their weight in foliage such as hay or in a large pasture. This means a 1000-lb horse must eat about 20 lbs of food daily. This can change depending on the horse's age, size, and overall health. Pay attention to the type of food you feed each day to ensure your horse is not taking in too much sugar and is getting what it needs.
Hoof Care: Horses and equines must have their hooves trimmed every 6-8 weeks. This time range can also change depending on the animal because some equines don't need to be trimmed as often, while others need to be trimmed every 3-4 weeks. The type of ground you have your horse on can also change the type of hoof care you may need to provide to your equine. Proper hoof care is vital to the horse's health because they are always on their feet. A good relationship with a farrier will help you stay on top of your horse's care and keep them happy and healthy.
What makes Senior Equines and Companion Equines Special
Senior Equines
There is misconception about at what age an equine is considered to be a senior or "old". Many people believe that a horse or other equine are old when they are 15 years old. That is not the case, equines can live well into their upper 20s to early 30s with proper care. Elderly horses and equines often need extra care or specialized care that a younger horse my not need. This could be in the form of different types of food such as a mash instead of hay, and may also need special medication to keep them comfortable as their joints become more stiff.
We strongly believe that senior equines have so much to offer and they should be able to have a safe place to live out their last chapters of life with the highest quality of care they deserve. We make sure that any senior equine that comes to our pastures are given any special diet they need, supplements or medications to allow them to thrive for as long as they are with us.
Companion Equines
Companion Horses are those who can no longer be ridden or who can no longer work. Many times, this can be due to a life-altering injury, neglect that has caused life-long complications, or an equine that will not allow anyone to ride it. These equines can be hard to find a home for because they cannot provide anything but love to their families. Often, people do not want to pay for the care of a horse if they cannot use it or ride it.
We strongly believe that is not a reason a horse should not be given a wonderful home and pasture to live on. We have many equines who have come to our ranch to enjoy life.
What is Neglect
Neglect in Equines
Animal Cruelty and Neglect occur in all areas of the US. If an equine is thin and without food or clean water, it could be neglected and in a poor situation. Equines not receiving veterinarian care for injuries or pain could suffer and be neglected. Long-term neglect can result in long-term complications, poor quality of life, and the death of the animal.
Click HERE to see the Colorado Law on Animal Abuse and Neglect.
What Can You Do to Help
see something say something
If you see an animal you are concerned about, the best thing to do is call the proper authorities to check the animal's welfare. If they find nothing wrong, then there are typically no consequences for the owner. You can have peace of mind knowing that someone checked the well-being of the animal you saw. Below are some resources you can use to report animal abuse or neglect.
BAP- Bureau of Animal Protection- Covers the entire state of Colorado- Click HERE to report animal abuse and to learn more about the BAP
Park County Animal Control- Covers Park County Colorado- Click HERE to contact Park County Animal Control
Teller County Animal Control- Covers Teller County Colorado- Click HERE to contact Teller County Animal Control.
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region- Covers El Paso County, Colorado- Click HERE to contact HSPPR
