How to Improve Your Horse’s Health: A Complete Guide
Keeping your horse in top shape is more than just feeding and grooming—it’s a holistic effort that requires careful attention to diet, exercise, mental well-being, preventive care, and environmental management. A healthy horse is a happy and high-performing horse, whether it’s a competitive athlete or a cherished trail companion.
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Understanding the Foundations of Horse Health
The key to horse health lies in proactive, daily care and awareness. A horse’s well-being is influenced by a variety of factors: nutrition, physical activity, dental and hoof care, veterinary attention, and even the emotional environment in which it lives. When all of these elements align, horses tend to live longer, perform better, and enjoy a higher quality of life.
Before jumping into the tips, it’s important to know what a healthy horse looks like:
- Bright, alert eyes and expression
- Glossy, full coat
- Steady appetite and proper digestion
- Sound movement and strong hooves
- Normal vital signs (heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature)
- Stable behavior and temperament
If your horse displays these signs, you’re already on the right track. If not, don’t worry—there are many ways to enhance your horse’s condition.
Nutrition: The Cornerstone of Equine Wellness
Choose the Right Forage
Forage should make up the bulk of your horse’s diet. High-quality forage provides essential fiber that supports gut health, aids digestion, and ensures long-term wellness. Products like forage cubes and pellets offer consistency in nutrition and are ideal when pasture access is limited.
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we offer premium forage options carefully formulated to meet your horse’s needs. Whether you’re feeding a senior horse with dental issues or a racehorse in training, our products offer tailored nutrition that supports vitality.
Balance Energy and Protein Intake
A common mistake among horse owners is overfeeding grain-based feeds, which can lead to obesity or metabolic disorders. Instead, feed according to your horse’s activity level, age, and metabolism. An idle pasture horse has vastly different needs than a show jumper or endurance horse.
Don’t Forget Vitamins and Minerals
Trace minerals like selenium, zinc, and copper, as well as vitamins A, D, and E, are essential for immune function, skin and coat health, and muscle recovery. Supplementation should be strategic—not all horses need the same levels.
Consider consulting with a nutritionist or your vet to assess deficiencies and supplement accordingly. Many quality forage blends already include these nutrients, streamlining your horse’s diet plan.
Exercise and Physical Conditioning
Consistent Movement Matters
Horses are built to move. Standing still for long periods can lead to stiffness, muscle atrophy, and even digestive problems such as colic. If you don’t ride daily, be sure your horse has adequate turnout space or schedule lunging and groundwork exercises to maintain fitness.
Tailor Exercise to the Horse
Not all horses need the same level of exertion. A retired horse may need only light walking to stay limber, while a dressage prospect needs regular conditioning. Create a program that challenges your horse without causing fatigue or strain.
Monitor Weight and Body Condition
Being underweight or overweight can cause major health concerns. Use a body condition scoring (BCS) chart to evaluate your horse’s condition regularly. If you notice changes, adjust the feeding or exercise program accordingly.
Preventive Health and Veterinary Care
Annual Vet Exams
Don’t wait until your horse is sick to call the vet. An annual wellness exam allows for early detection of common problems such as dental disease, Cushing’s, or arthritis. Include vaccinations and deworming protocols tailored to your geographic region and boarding setup.
Dental Care
Uneven tooth wear can lead to difficulty chewing, weight loss, or behavioral issues. A dental check-up at least once a year is recommended—more often for older horses or those with dental irregularities.
Hoof Care
Hooves should be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, even if your horse is not in heavy work. Regular farrier visits prevent lameness, abscesses, and imbalances in movement. Pick your horse’s feet daily to check for stones, infections, or foreign objects.
Managing Parasites and Disease
Deworm Strategically
Gone are the days of routine deworming every 8 weeks. Today, most vets recommend fecal egg count testing to determine the need and frequency for deworming, helping reduce resistance in parasites and protecting your horse’s gut health.
Vaccinate Appropriately
Core vaccines like rabies, tetanus, West Nile, and Eastern/Western equine encephalitis are generally recommended, with additional vaccines such as influenza or strangles as needed based on travel and exposure risks.
Quarantine New Arrivals
If you bring a new horse to your barn, always quarantine it for 2-3 weeks to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Watch for coughing, nasal discharge, fever, or lethargy during this time.
Environmental Management and Comfort
Clean Stalls and Pastures
Good hygiene prevents respiratory issues and hoof diseases. Remove manure from stalls and paddocks daily. Ensure proper ventilation in barns and avoid bedding materials that create excess dust.
Provide Shelter and Shade
Horses should have access to shelter to protect them from extreme weather, whether it’s sun, wind, rain, or snow. This helps prevent overheating and cold stress, both of which can weaken immune function.
Adequate Water Access
Clean, fresh water should be available 24/7. In colder months, make sure water isn’t frozen—hydration is just as critical in winter as in summer. Dehydration is a common cause of impaction colic.
Monitoring Behavior and Mental Health
Recognize Stress Indicators
Changes in behavior often indicate underlying health issues or discomfort. Watch for:
- Pacing or weaving
- Loss of appetite
- Aggression or irritability
- Excessive lying down or rolling
Social Interaction
Horses are herd animals. Isolation can cause anxiety and depression. If possible, house horses where they can see, smell, and touch other horses, even if not turned out together.
Mental Stimulation
Boredom can lead to stereotypies like cribbing or stall walking. To keep your horse mentally engaged, rotate toys, introduce new groundwork exercises, and vary the riding routine.
Addressing Specific Life Stages and Needs
Foals and Young Horses
Young horses need more energy and protein for growth, along with proper socialization and handling. Regular vet visits are essential for monitoring development and starting vaccinations.
Senior Horses
Older horses may suffer from arthritis, dental loss, and metabolic conditions. Switch to senior-specific feeds that are easier to chew and digest. Monitor weight and comfort closely and modify turnout or riding schedules to accommodate physical changes.
Performance Horses
High-performance horses have elevated nutritional and physical demands. High-quality forage, joint supplements, and carefully planned rest periods are essential to reduce injury risk and maintain peak performance.
Common Health Issues to Watch For
Here are a few widespread equine health concerns every owner should be familiar with:
- Colic – Symptoms include pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, and lack of bowel movements. This is an emergency—call your vet immediately.
- Laminitis – Inflammation in the hoof is often caused by overfeeding or metabolic disorders. Catching it early increases the chances of recovery.
- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) – Typically affects overweight horses, leading to insulin resistance and laminitis.
- Cushing’s Disease – Common in older horses and causes a long, curly coat, increased drinking, and muscle wasting.
Record-Keeping and Routine Check-Ins
Track Everything
Maintain a written or digital log of veterinary visits, deworming schedules, vaccinations, weight changes, feed types, and behavior notes. Patterns can help uncover early signs of disease or discomfort.
Daily Observations
Take a few minutes each day to assess your horse’s eyes, legs, appetite, manure, and demeanor. Early detection is one of the most powerful tools in protecting horse health.
Partner with the Right Feed Provider
One of the best ways to ensure consistent horse health is by sourcing your nutrition from a trusted provider.
At Greenway Animal Nutrition, we recognize that high-quality feed is essential for maintaining healthy, well-nourished horses. That’s why we offer premium forage products designed to meet the needs of horse owners, breeders, and trainers. Whether you’re caring for a high-performance racehorse, a trusted riding companion, or a herd on your farm, our diverse selection of forage pellets, cubes, and meal provides a reliable feeding solution.
Our products are:
- Made with premium-grade ingredients
- Consistently formulated to meet specific nutritional profiles
- Designed for palatability and digestibility
- Backed by equine nutritional science
We’re proud to support horse owners across the country who want only the best for their animals.
Final Thoughts
Improving your horse’s health is a journey that blends attentive care, nutritional knowledge, and proactive management. By taking a thoughtful, well-rounded approach, you’ll not only improve your horse’s physical well-being but also foster a deep, lasting bond built on trust and compassion.
Whether you’re a first-time horse owner or a seasoned breeder, the keys to better horse health are within reach—and we’re here to help every step of the way.
Ready to Elevate Your Horse’s Health?
Reach out to us today and explore our full range of premium forage solutions. Your horse deserves the best—and so do you.