Nutrition

• Horses need proper nutrition to remain healthy. Current weight, age, and activity level all have an impact on nutritional needs, as does current health level. A proper balance of grains, proteins, and hay contribute to good health. Some horses also need a supplement to address any special needs, and a proper amount of water is required to aid in proper digestion.
  
  A veterinarian can recommend a customized feeding program. Horse owners can make sure to provide the recommended feed and monitor water intake to ensure that it is adequate.
  
  

Exercise

• Horses need regular exercise to remain healthy. Muscles must be properly exercised to gain proper tone; physical activity also improves cardiovascular health and aids in proper digestion. Exercise also promotes good mental health. A horse that is confined too much can develop bad habits like wood chewing and weaving (repetitive movements). If a horse owner cannot ride regularly, she should make sure that the animal is released into a pasture or corral every day so it can move around, run, and stretch its muscles.
  
  

Vaccinations

• Horses need an annual series of vaccinations to maintain optimal health by protecting against various diseases. Although the exact series varies depending on the local environment, common shots include:
  
  -Rabies vaccine, which presents the horse from contracting this disease. This is an important protection because rabies attacks the central nervous system and is ultimately fatal.
  
  -Tetanus vaccine, which protects the horse against this acute, infectious disease. Tetanus happens when a particular bacteria enters a wound. This shot will protect a horse against the bacteria's effects.
  
  -Eastern and western encephalomyelitis vaccine, which protects against these two acute viral diseases. They can be spread by mosquitos, but the shot will protect a horse against insect-borne transmission.
  
  -Rhinopneumonitis vaccine, which protects against this viral disease. The disease can affect the horse's respiratory system and nervous system and result in abortions in mares. A vaccination will prevent this disease.
  
  -Influenza vaccine, which offers protection from a contagious viral disease that attacks the horse's upper respiratory tract. Although vaccinations are usually given annually, horses that are being transported regularly should receive this vaccination every three to four months.
  
  -Strangles vaccine, which prevents this very contagious disease. A horse that contracts strangles will develop abscesses in its lymph nodes, particularly in its upper neck and throat area. It will also have problems with its upper respiratory tract. The vaccine will prevent this disease from occurring.
  
  -Potomac horse fever vaccine, which keeps a horse from getting this illness. Potomac horse fever causes a high fever and severe diarrhea. Affected animals will have difficulty eating and appear depressed, and it may come down with founder (a serious hoof disease). This disease is seasonal, usually appearing during the summer months, but the horse will be protected by the vaccine.
  
  

Parasite Control

• Horses graze and pick up food from the ground, and they are usually kept in a confined area, which makes them highly susceptible to getting worms. These intestinal parasites can cause internal damage and cause the horse to be in poor condition because it's not getting the proper nutrition from its food. Horse owners should administer a worming medication on a regular basis, typically every 10 to 12 weeks. Although there are wormers that can be added to the horse's tube, most owners use a tube of medication that is squirted directly into the animal's mouth.
  
  

Dental Care

• A horse's teeth can develop sharp points that cause cuts and pain and impair the animal's ability to eat. The points must periodically be filed down with a rasp, which is known as "floating." A veterinarian or equine dentist should perform floating regularly. The frequency will vary for individual horses, but the teeth should be checked every year to see if they need this procedure. Healthy teeth allow the horse to properly chew its food, which aids in good digestion and prevents stomach problems.
  
  

Hoof Care

• A professional farrier needs to trim a horse's hooves every six to eight weeks. The frequency depends on the characteristics of an individual horse's hooves, how much it is being ridden, and the type of surfaces it walks on. Some horses have hooves that wear, crack, or chip excessively. In this case, the farrier might recommend shoes to protect the hooves and prevent further damage.