Horses Basic Needs? Please Help!?

Question

You are working on a horse spelling property. A new horse is unloaded after some hours travel on a truck. Describe how you would cater for it's basic needs as it settles in, considering housing, water, food and anything else you think it may require.

Answer 1

When we received new horses at the boarding ranch (United States) I was manager of, if it was daytime, we put it in a corral next to the stable and allowed it to explore and move around. If it was at night, we placed it in a stall until next morning. Horses left out at night have more of a chance to injure themselves or escape.

With all new horses, we first gave them a bit of water and then walked them around a while so they could stretch the legs and get use to us.

In the morning each horse was groomed and then taken to a field or corral (depending on need) and turned loose. Since we were a boarding stable, the owners came to exercise their horses daily, or if they made arrangements, we would do it for them. If we exercised, it was in the morning before grooming.

The food, supplements, worming schedules were pre-listed by their owners and we laid in the supply before the horse arrived. Plenty of fresh water was always available. Fully stocked equine first aid supplies were kept in the office

One big key is giving the new horse some extra loving attention to not only let it get use to you, but also to settle it down since this is a new place and having been jerked out of the familiar is a bit traumatic for any animal, or human for that matter.

Oops, forgot one thing. All new horses were required to have clearence papers from their vet, dated not more that 2 days before the move, that stated the horse was in good health, up to date on vaccines and worming.