Guest Author - Darling Poor

Horse ownership involves not just monthly cost, but also an expenditure of time. Horses need care, even if it's only rounding them up in the field to check them for parasites, disease, hoof cracks, or other signs of illness. Ideally, a horse owner will budget two hours time per day to their horse.

Time to Watch and Train Your Horse

Preferably, each horse will receive daily time with you, either just being observed or in training. Only one hour a day can further training. It's also a good block of time to keep a horse mentally aware of who's the boss while at the same time not tiring them out whereby they lose focus. If you don't want to train, it is valuable just to observe your horse to learn their personality and quirks. Do they shy away from certain horses in the pasture? Groom others? Who is the matriarch? Keep a journal of these one hour blocks spent observing your horse. It can be very helpful in your training.

Grooming and Basic Care

Budget one additional hour per day to do the mucking, grooming, feeding, watering, and cleaning required. Grooming takes about 1/2 an hour, and it is your chance to check the health of your horse. Scrubbing out feed and water buckets, refilling, and cleaning out the stall will occupy the other half hour. If you can afford it, maximize your time spent grooming and connecting with your horse by paying a stable hand $10 an hour to do some of the messier chores for you.

Checking Their Surroundings

If one is blessed with acreage for turn-out, you still need to plan weekly checks to look over the pasture to make sure dangerous conditions are not sprouting, or existing conditions getting worse. A field walk will tell you if poisonous plants are invading, ponds are getting stagnant, or burrowing animals are turning your grassy horse haven into a moon surface that is a tripping hazard.

If you board, calendar time in your week to show up at the barn unannounced, at a time when you usually do not arrive. This gives you a chance to really know the conditions at the stable. Is it more noisy at some times than others? Perhaps you want to arrange your turnouts during a time when the barn is noisy or chaotic, giving your horse some peaceful time away from his stall. Is the feeding schedule being altered? This is a very important thing that should be checked by one who boards. Check that the mucking out is being done properly, as well as the grooming. If you board where they do not allow unplanned visits - take your business elsewhere, stat.

As you can see, it is not just money, but time that your horse requires. Two hours a day is best. If you cannot manage that, examine your schedule and utilize time management methods to free up other areas so you can maximize the time spent with your horse.