Question: What are the basic needs of a horse?
You don't need to keep your horse or pony in a fancy stall with the best of everything. Horses are happiest in a natural enviorment where they are free to move around, graze and socialize.
Answer:
At the very least a horse needs:
- Pasture free from hazards such as holes, rusty farm machinery and loose wire fences.
- Safe fencing such as wooden, plastic, or vinyl rails, or mesh wire fencing.
- Grass for grazing or equivalent amount of good quality hay.
- Unlimited supply of fresh clean water, heated if necessary in sub-freezing temperatures.
- Unlimited access to minerals and salt.
- Shelter from wet or wintry weather and shade in summer.
- A dry clean area to lie down.
- Daily monitoring for injury or illness.
- Companionship, either with another horse, donkey, mule or pony or another animal such as a sheep or goat.
