So, I had this idea the other day to try my hand at taking care of a horse, just to see what it’s like. I mean, I’ve always liked horses, but I’ve never actually been responsible for one. Figured it’d be a neat experience, thus the name of this little project “neat horse”.
First thing I did was find a stable that would let me kind of “borrow” a horse for a few days. I called around, and after a few “no’s”, I found a place that was cool with it. They had this calm, older horse named “Buddy” that they said would be good for a beginner like me.
The first day was mostly learning the basics:
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Feeding: I learned you can’t just throw any old food at a horse. Buddy, for example, got a mix of hay and some special grains. And fresh water, lots of it, all the time. I had to carry these heavy buckets, let me tell you.
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Grooming: This was kind of fun. I got a bunch of brushes and started going at it. Buddy seemed to enjoy it, or at least he didn’t complain. I brushed his coat, cleaned his hooves, the whole nine yards. There was a lot of dirt and, uh, other stuff to clean up.
Moving Around and Daily Care
I was taught how to put on the halter and lead Buddy around. It’s kind of scary at first because they’re so big, but Buddy was pretty chill. We walked around the stable yard, and I got used to being next to him. They told me about giving him medicine in case he had any issues, but luckily Buddy was all good.
One major thing I had to do was check Buddy for any health issues. Look for cuts, swelling, or if he was acting weird. I mean, I’m no vet, but I did my best. They also stressed the importance of a vet coming by regularly for check-ups and shots, which makes total sense.
The stable folks showed me how to muck out the stall. Basically, that’s just a fancy way of saying “clean up the poop and pee”. It wasn’t the most glamorous job, but it had to be done. Fresh bedding was put down after, so Buddy had a clean place to sleep.
After a few days of this, I definitely had a new appreciation for horse care. It’s hard work! But it was also pretty rewarding. Buddy and I got along pretty well, and I felt like I had accomplished something.
I’m not sure I’ll be getting a horse of my own anytime soon, but I’m glad I tried it out. It was a “neat” experience, and I learned a lot. Plus, I got some good exercise, hauling those water buckets and mucking out that stall!
