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Learn How To Read Your Horse's Health
The way of the West in Utah is also the way of the horse. Utah ranchers still use horses for cattle round ups, to train for racing, and for personal use as a pet and companion. Having a horse is always a child's dream and many children that grow up on a ranch, learn to how be intuitive about their horse's health.
Spending time with a horse means learning its different personality quirks and be aware of behavior changes that may indicate depression, an illness or pain. Horses, like people, have good days and bad days but the difference is, the horse cannot verbalize if he's really sick. It is up to the horse owner to recognize the basic signs of a healthy horse or recognize when there is an illness.
Here are a few tips to tell if a horse is feeling healthy or not:
-A word of caution to heed each time you visit the horse--for females, it is important to wear ladies cowboy boots around horses. Something flimsy such as sneakers do not provide good protection if a horse steps on your foot.
-A healthy horse is a hungry horse and will eat with no problem. Feeding time is a horse's favorite time and they are ready to eat as soon as food is dropped into the feeder.
-The horse should have a shiny, healthy coat. It should not be sweaty.
-A healthy horse stands on all four feet. If drowsy, the horse rests a hind foot and doze off. A horse will never rest a front foot unless there is pain in either front hoof.
-A healthy horse has a salmon pink color inside the eye, in the nostrils and gums. It is important to earn the confidence and respect from the horse to be able to check eyes, nostrils and gums on a regular basis.
-When rubbing your hands down the horse's legs daily, learn how to detect heat and swelling. Again, it is important to gain the horse's confidence in order to get close to touch it.
-A sick horse will behave abnormally in attitude and may lie down at odd times or in odd positions.
-A sick horse will have no appetite, may have labored breathing and may sweat profusely.
-Always be aware of quirkiness.
-Living on a ranch is the best.
About the Author Western Wear (http://www.standupranchers.com/) is about ladies cowboy boots. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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