Caring for your Horse
What are the key things I should understand about horse behaviour?
Understanding at least basic horse behaviour is a very important part of responsible horse ownership. A good understanding of horse behaviour underpins all aspects of good horse management, training and riding.
What should I feed my horse?
Horses have evolved to eat a very high fibre diet so this should be the main component of any feeding regime.
How can I take care of my horse with Queensland Itch?
You should suspect that your horse has ‘Queensland Itch’ if it develops a reoccurring, itchy skin condition every summer and if the itching occurs mainly around the butt of the tail and around the base of the mane.
Can I feed my horse on lawn mower clippings and other garden waste?
No! Feeding horses on lawn mower clippings can be very dangerous for several reasons. When lawn mower clippings are fresh they are fermenting (this is why they are warm or even hot when you put your hand inside a fresh pile of clippings).
When is the right time to buy a horse/pony for my child?
The simple answer is as late as possible, when you are absolutely certain of the commitment of your child (and the rest of the family) to horse/pony ownership.
How often should my horse see the farrier?
All domestic horses need good, regular hoof care. Hooves that are allowed to grow long are not just unsightly – the internal workings of the hoof, the tendons and ligaments of the legs and ultimately the movement of the horse are all affected by having unbalanced hoofs.
How do parasites affect my horse?
The main parasites that horses can be afflicted by are ticks, lice, worms and bots. The three main ticks that can affect horses in Australia are cattle ticks, New Zealand cattle ticks (bush) and paralysis ticks.
Should I breed from my horse?
The first question you should seriously ask yourself is why do you want to breed a foal? Horse breeding should only be carried out by people who are very experienced.
Who do I contact to report an animal welfare issue with domesticated horses?
RSPCA Inspectors employed by RSPCA ACT, RSPCA New South Wales, RSPCA Victoria, RSPCA South Australia, RSPCA Tasmania, RSPCA Queensland and RSPCA Western Australia have legal jurisdiction over horses in relation to animal welfare legislation within their respective states and territories.
How would a national identification registry help improve horse welfare?
Currently, horse owners are not required to identify or register their horses and there is no national database to record and retrieve this information.