2022 Neigh Years Resolutions For Horses

Though New Year’s celebrations are behind us, it’s not too late to make resolutions that can benefit your horse. Make one (or all!) of these resolutions today to catch up on important tasks that fall to the wayside throughout the year, especially when we’re busy with daily care.

Clean and condition your tack more often. Both synthetic and real leather tack will wear out more quickly if it is not cared for. What’s more, dirty, sweaty tack can cause skin irritation when your horse wears it repeatedly between washes. To help you remember to clean your tack more often, set up a schedule that’s easy for you to manage. For example, you might wipe down the tack after each ride, wash it on every Sunday, and give it a more thorough detailing on the first Sunday of each month.

Update your deworming schedule. Each horse in your stable should have an individualized deworming schedule. Some horses need to be dewormed more frequently than others. Unnecessary deworming contributes to pesticide resistance, making it harder to get rid of parasites when they do become a problem. You can use regular fecal load tests to determine when, and if, a horse needs to be dewormed. In the long run, deworming on a more relaxed schedule saves you money and prevents parasites from developing a resistance to the medication.

Check in on your horse’s weight. Whether you feel that your horse is in good shape or think that they could stand to improve, January is a good time for evaluating and recording their body condition. Using the Henneke Horse Body Condition Scoring System, give your horse an honest score. You can also take photos regularly to help you compare how your horse’s weight changes over time. Most horses fluctuate through the seasons, but any unexplained gain or loss should be brought up to your veterinarian.