Setting Horses Up for Comfort and Success
What do horses need to thrive? The basic needs for a horse include proper hoof care, equilibration dentistry, proper posture, maximal hours of grazing and movement, and friends. Sounds simple, right? Wrong! We have been learning more and more about horses in order to better care for them. Not all hoof care is created equally, and neither is all dental care, hay, environments. The list goes on. So much about horses is still a mystery, and that’s part of what I love about them. There is always something to learn about these magnificent creatures.
Consistent barefoot hoof care is what is best for a horse. Some horses need extra support to remain barefoot like hoof boots, but being barefoot and allowing the hoof mechanism to work and flex is the healthiest thing for them. The science is proving this study after study. A proper hoof trim means balance medially/laterally as well as cranially/caudally with lack of distortions. A proper trim enhances the natural structures of the hoof while still providing adequate support and protection for the environment and activity level of the horse.
Dentistry is a hot topic of debate as to what is best, what is overfloating vs not taking enough, natural vs. power tools, etc. A proper float for a horse requires removal of sharp points while still keeping the natural shape of the tooth which is a bit wavy. A horse needs to be sedated and wear a speculum to get a proper float. They also need incisor work and for the occlusal surface of the incisors to be uniform with the angle of the TMJ joint. If your equine dental care provider isn’t doing incisor work, your horse is not getting a proper float. Period. Preferably, your horse’s equine dental professional will be IAED certified and well-versed in equilibration dentistry. Imbalance in the incisors themselves and also in reference to the TMJ joint will manifest in a horse’s hooves and posture. Rostral hooks will also negatively affect a horse’s posture and also ability of their lower mandible to move freely, diminishing the function of the occlusal surface.
Generally, when hoof care and dentistry have been consistently accounted for, a horse’s posture will be correct. However, horses that haven’t had adequate care will benefit from body work done by a chiropractor or osteopath. We can tell a horse has proper posture when they have a “table top” stance meaning that their cannon bones are perpendicular to the ground. Posture is significant in horses to promote their general well-being and health, and correct posture decreases the likelihood of breakdown and compensation patters which lead to imbalance in movement.
Movement is not just a physical activity for horses; it is an essential aspect of their well-being and overall physical and psychological health. When horses get adequate movement, they have better blood flow throughout their hooves and body. They are happier, healthier and have less instances of colic. Their bodies develop better and maintain condition easier. Horses are meant to be on the move constantly (did you know horses only sleep for 3 hours a day? Crazy!), and even when they are grazing, they are moving. Horses evolved from browsers to grazers and do best when they eat in a natural position with their nose on the ground. Their posture and musculature (amongst other things) suffers when horses eat with their head upright, so it is crucial to provide an environment where horses can eat in their natural grazing position.
Horses are also herd animals making them very social. As they are naturally gregarious, most horses do best when they are around other horses. They have rich social lives and complex hierarchies, alliances, and friendships. If another horse is unaffordable, another companion animal may be suitable to be a friend to your horse.
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