How to Build Your Horse Care Team
To be a successful horse owner, you have to have a happy horse. To keep your horse happy and comfortable takes much more than just the owner, it takes a team. If you’re a first-time horse owner, you’re probably wondering how to build a great horse care team. For your horse to succeed, you will need a great veterinarian, farrier, and trainer. When building your horse care team, consider these tips below to help you build your horse’s dream team.
Finding the Right Veterinarian
An equine veterinarian is the most key member of a horse care team. As large animals, horses require specialized care and practitioners. When your horse is injured or sick, you want to make sure they receive the best care possible. When choosing a vet, you want to make sure they fit your needs. Consider choosing a veterinarian who specializes in your discipline as they will understand the performance issues that your horse may face as a competitor in that sport.
To find the right vet for you, ask other horse owners and professionals for veterinarian recommendations. Take the time to interview the vet and get to know their reputation and see how they interact with your horse. It’s important that both you and your horse are comfortable with the vet you are considering and that you can easily communicate with them about your goals for your horse.
Finding the Right Farrier
Farriers specialize in equine hoof care, trimming and shoeing horses’ hooves. Farriers are skilled in evaluating a horse’s conformation, gait, and hoof balance in order to determine any adjustments that are needed. When looking for a farrier, make sure they have earned an American Farrier’s Association (AFA) certification. For those who compete or ride at an advanced level, there are farriers who specialize in shoeing certain breeds or for particular disciplines. The best way to find a respectable farrier is by asking a barn manager, trainer, or other horse owners for recommendations.
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Finding the Right Trainer
Much like vets and farriers, trainers have specialties. Discuss your goals with a trainer to determine if they will be able to help you meet them or if they have colleagues they can recommend instead that are best suited to your needs. The location of the trainer and how they interact with your horse are two important aspects to consider. You want your horse to be happy so visit a trainer’s stable to get a feel for the environment. Entrusting a trainer with your horse can be difficult so make sure you are comfortable and that your horse and a trainer are a match before you proceed with adding them to your horse care team.
Work Together as a Team
For your horse to be successful, your veterinarian, farrier, and trainer need to work together as a team to prioritize your horse’s health and meet your goals. These are just the essential members of a horse care team. Depending on your needs, you may also be interested in working with vets who practice specialized areas of equine care like a chiropractor, acupuncturist, physical therapist, dentist, and more. Before you add another member to your team, do your research to ensure they are a good fit for you and your horse.