Horse Health and Nutrition

The Stables

• Location, types of construction, access to arenas
• Ventilation and temperature control
• Mangers, feed rooms and storage areas. Access.
• The manure pile, location, parasite control, management

Feeds and Bedding

• Quality and quantity, types of feeds, importance of minerals
• Quality of water, quantity, temperature. Types of watering equipment.
• Pasture maintenance, management and rotation. Supplementary feeds.
• Hay fields, fertilizing, parasite control
• Quality and quantity of hay through proper care of fields. Types of bales. Advantages, disadvantages.
• Types of bedding. Reasons. When used.

Physical care of the horse

• Grooming : tools required, manner, frequency, importance.
• Show grooming. Braiding
• The teeth, care
• Mane & tail care. Hygiene.
• Feet care
• Shoeing. How to recognise a good farrier job
• Detecting the sick horse ; first aid and treatments
• Immunization and parasite control programs
• Daily conditioning and feed reuqirements

Saddlery and Equipment

• Quality, construction of saddles, saddle trees.
• Bits and bridles ; their effect on the horse
• Selection of tack.
• Care, upkeep, repairs and cleaning ; storage