Legalities:
By colorado state law, a Brand Inspection Certificate is needed as proof of ownership at the time of sale. Also, a Brand Inspection Certificate is needed if a horse is transported more than 75 miles from home or is leaving the state.

Space and Shelter:
Horses need a large exercise area, such as a corral or pasture. They also need natural or man-made shelter from the elements, both hot and cold. This can vary from a protective stand of trees to a 3-sided shed to a complete stable with box stalls. A man-made shelter should be clean and well ventilated with no drafts.

Fencing:
Wether using a tradional board fence, a rail fence, or electric wire fencing (wide ribbon wire is best), the most important thing is that the fence must be visible to the horse.

Manure:
You must have a plan for manure disposal or use. You may want to start a composting project to convert manure and yard waste into organic fertilizer. You will also need a plan to control flies and other insects.

Feeding:
An average saddle horse that weighs 1000 lbs. will eat approximately 17 to 22 lbs of feed per day (total ration). The total ration is a combination of hay, grain and pasture. Salt should always be available to the horse.

Pasture:
The major component of a horse's diet is good forage such as hay (see below for details) or pasture. A horse weighing 1000 lbs. will eat about 500 lbs. of forage each month. How much land will you need to feed one horse for a year?
If this is the only source of forage, your horse will need about 28 acres of dryland (non-irrigated pasture) a year. To keep pasture grass healthy, DO NOT let the horse over graze. Over-grazed dryland pasture may never recover. Irrigated pastures with adequate moisture will grow more forage than dryland pasture so less acreage is needed. The amount of land one horse needs ranges from 3/4 to 1 1/4 acres. For good quality regrowth, leave about 1/3 of the grass uneaten. Manage your pasture as a crop by soil testing, fertilizing, clipping weeds and managing manure.

Hay:
Horses need supplemental hay during periods of snow cover or other times when pasture forage is not available. Feeding hay will also extend the grazing season with properties with small acreage. A small rectangular bale of hay can weigh between 45 and 85 lbs. How much hay to buy and feed to your horse should be based upon the weight of the bales and the nutrient value of the hay. You can feed less hay if it is of higher quality. It is best to have your hay analyzed to determine the nutrient value. An average 1000 lb. horse will eat 20 lbs. of medium quality hay per day.

Quick Facts About Hay:
Legume (alfalfa and clover) hay is higher in protein than grass hay so you need to feed less (weight) legume hay than grass hay. Grass hay will keep the horse busy eating and prevent boredom.

Second and third cuttings of hay are higher in protein than first cuttings. Horses need only 10% - 12% protein in their feed. Second and third cutting alfalfa hay averages 18% - 24% protein which is more than the horse needs.

Hay for horses must be mold and dust free or serious complications can arise.

Weeds have limited nutritional value. Weed seeds can be passed thorugh the manure and infest your pasture. Another reason to always buy hay that is free of weeds is that some seeds are poisonous to horses.

Water:
Your horse must have plenty of clean, “unfrozen” fresh water available at ALL times. A horse will drink 10 to 12 gallons of water each day, depending upon temperature, humidity levels, ration content and work load. In the winter months, stock tank heaters will help stop ice buildup so that water is ALWAYS available to the horse.

Water versus Snow:
A horse needs 8-10 gallons of water per day. It takes two quarts of melted snow to equal one quart of fresh water. A horse that drinks 8 gallons of water would need 72 quarts of melted snow every day.

Minimum Health-Care Requirements:
It is critical that you develop a partnership with a veterinarian prior to an emergency situation. This can be done by consulting your veterinarian for your horse's routine and preventive health care.

Vaccinations:
All horses should be vaccinated at least once a year, usually in the spring. A vaccination program is determined by age, use and overall health of your horse. Time of year influences the risk of infectious diseases. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations.

Internal Parasite Control:
Your horse needs to be dewormed several times each year. The frequency of treatment varies with your horse's management.

Dental Care:
Teeth should be checked by a veterinarian at least once a year. The teeth may be needed to floated (filed) due to tthe grinding motion used while eating.

FirstAid:
Consult your veterinarian about an appropriate first aid kit. It should contain bandage material, a thermometer, ointments and other related items. Contact a veterinarian any time your horse appears sick, or disoriented, or has been injured.

Foot Care:
Clean hooves before and after you ride. Examine them regularly for problems. Hooves should be trimmed regularly. The need for hoof care varies with the use and age of your horse. Contact a qualified farrier (horseshoer) for recommendations for your horse.

Disaster Preparedness:
Call us or attend one of our meetings for specific information.