12 Field Care Tips For Your Horse and Donkey
Published by Young Rider Magazine, Jan./Feb. 2005 Issue, adapted and revised by Travis McGough.
1. Your horse or donkey need s some sort of shelter in the field. Is there a run-in shed or a tall hedge or patch of trees that can give them some shelter out of the wind in wintery weather and out of stormy conditions? BUT remember that horses and donkeys should not be under trees during a lightning storm.
2. Check your horse's legs every day, even if it means wading through knee-deep mud. You need to feel for heat and swelling to make sure that you horse didn't get into any trouble while you were gone. *Also, remember that if your horse or donkey's hoof seems hot it is a good sign to tell you that they may have a fever and you should call a vet. It is just like your forhead when you get sick!
3. Try to pick up piled manure with a pitchfork and wheelbarrow as often as possible, (Best if done Daily, especially in stalls!) Manure promotes flies and worms. It also damages the grass underneath it. It is best to remove it from the pasture, but if you can't then at least take it away from where your horse or donkey spends most of their time (i.e. around a water trough or feed trough).
4. Pick out your horse or donkey's feet every day, even if you are not working with them. It is important to make sure that they have no sharp objects caught in their hoofs.
5. Horses are naturally herd creatures. This means that they get very lonely if left out to pasteure alone. It is best to get some type of companion to go with them. (i.e. another horse or donkey, goat, sheep).
7. If your horse or donkey gets burrs in their main or tail, it is best to get them out quickly before they turn into huge knots. I recommend using baby oil to help free the burrs.
8. Make sure that your horse or donkey is protected from flies and other biting insects. Apply fly spray as often as directed. If this does not seem to help then get them a fly mask, fly sheet, or fly leg wraps to make them more comfortable.
9. Make sure that you horse or donkey has plenty of water each day. You should also clean it out at least once a week to prevent algae and insects from becoming a problem. Also, in the winter be sure to break up any ice that may freeze over the water during the winter. (Every night is not required but at least check every morning.) A salt and mineral block should also always be avalable by free choice by their water supplies.
10. Be sure not to leave a halter on your horse or donkey for more than a few days at the most. If left it can cause severe scarring on your horse or donkey's face. Also, if you do leave your horse or donkey out in the pasture with their halter then make sure that it is a leather halter. Nylon halters do not break no where near as easily as a leather halter. If your horse or donkey ever gets caught then they could severly hurt or kill themselves trying to break a Nylon halter.
11. Apply equine or even human sunscreen to your horse or donkey's face if they are light colored or have a pink muzzle. Horses and donkeys can get burned very easliy and it hurts them just as much as you! They can even be burned in the winter if the sun is reflecting off the snow.
