7. Who provides the primary care for your horse?
a. I do (0 points)
b. My friend cares for my horse at her place. (0 points)
c. Staff at the boarding facility where he is kept (1 point)
d. My horse lives out with a herd that is not managed on a daily basis. (0 points)
Many boarders dream of keeping their horses on their own property. And research suggests that, beyond convenience and enjoyment, there may be another reason to bring your horse home--to keep him healthier.
At least two studies have indicated that horses who are cared for by their owners have a decreased risk of colic. This could be true for a number of reasons: The owner has the most at stake and may provide more consistent care with fewer day-to-day changes. Plus, most home horsekeepers also have fewer horses per acre than commercial facilities and can devote more time to observing each animal.
Of course, home horsekeeping is not possible for everyone. If you can't keep horses on your own property, take heart: At a busy boarding or training facility there are often people on hand during most of the day to keep a closer eye on each horse's condition.
This article originally appeared in the May 2004 issue of EQUUS. Learn how to identify mild colic in the September 2008 issue of EQUUS.
For more information about colic, read the following articles:
