Spring Horse Care Tips

Now that spring is here, you and your horse are probably chomping at the bit to spend more time together, making up for the idle months of winter. However, there is a right way and wrong way to approach the change of seasons. Act too hastily and your horse and property may suffer. Equis Save Foundation has some Spring horse care tips below to help ease the transition from winter to spring.

10 horse care tips to transition from winter to spring

1. Schedule a late-late winter check-up with your veterinarian before the warmer weather arrives. Horses should be vaccinated, especially for mosquito-borne illnesses.
2. Inspect your property for damage to fences. The cycle of freezing and thawing can wreak havoc on the integrity of wood and metal.
3. If you have an electric fence, perform a test to ensure the chargers are functioning properly. It may be necessary to restretch wires that have sagged during winter.
4. Employ a gradual reintroduction to pasture time. Horses that spent the winter in the barn may attack the fresh grass with a vengeance, raising the risk of colic and founder.
5. Wait until the temperatures are well above freezing before grooming the horse. It takes several weeks for the horse to acclimate to warmer temperatures, so keep them blanketed on the colder early spring nights.
6. Resume your riding schedule in gradual intervals. You’re both out of shape. Over-exertion can lead to a variety of health issues.
7. When the rains come, watch out for signs of thrush, which thrives in cool, wet conditions. A blanket will keep your horse warm and dry in the rain.
8. Inspect, test, and clean all your tack before riding season is in full swing, replacing items that look worn or rotten.
9. Schedule your annual Coggins Test, particularly if you plan on traveling with the horse.
10. Speaking of travel, perform a thorough inspection of your trailer. Check the lights, brakes, structural integrity, and trailer hitch before hitting the road.

Spring is probably the favorite season of both horse and owner. A little bit of effort will go a long way toward enjoying the season and get you both ready for an action-packed summer of riding. Our team here at Equis Save Foundation, a horse rescue in Livingston, Montana, hope these Spring care tips will serve you well on your next ride with your rescue horses!

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