Your horse spends a good amount of time in his pasture, so you will want to make that space as safe as possible for him. Put these 5 safety tips to use in your horse’s pasture.
1. Check Fences Regularly
You should make a point of checking your pasture fences on a regular basis. Fences can become weakened or broken from regular wear and tear and the effect of cold winters and inclement weather. An escaped horse can be dangerous to himself and others, so walk the pasture fences regularly to look for areas which need to be fixed.
In addition to checking fences, it’s important to invest in quality fences that are easily visible to your horse. Accidents can occur when your horse can’t easily see the fence and runs into or through it.
2. Know Your Local Poisonous Plants
There are many plants which are toxic to horses, and some of them may even be growing in your pasture. Familiarize yourself with what your local toxic plants look like and walk the pastures to make sure that there aren’t any growing. If you find toxic plants, then make sure to remove them properly so that they don’t grow back.
3. Minimize Mud
Mud can cause strained or torn tendons if your horse slips in it. It can also create bad cases of thrush. Creating proper drainage in your pastures can help to minimize the amount of mud that you will have to deal with. You may also want to install multiple gates in each pasture so that you can rotate their use, avoiding muddy entrances.
4. Be Cautious with Spring and Fall Grass
If you’re lucky enough to have grass pastures, then remember that the spring and fall can increase the chances of your horse developing laminitis from grass intake. The sugar content of grass is higher during these times, so you may need to limit your horse’s turnout time on grass or have him wear a muzzle.
Horse Courses by Elaine Heney
- Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
- Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
- Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
- Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
5. Fence Out Dangerous Areas
If your pasture has areas which could be dangerous to your horse, like a steep descent or an area which is heavily rocky, then it may be a wise idea to fence these areas off so that your horse cannot access them. Some horse owners choose to fence off pasture streams or ponds in the winter to avoid the horses slipping on ice or potentially falling through.
Leave a Reply