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Pet Store for Horses
Provide the best horse care by choosing a healthy and balanced diet suited for horses, ponies, mares, and foals, as well as effective nutritional supplements. Find all horse equipment and rider equipment to make your mount a well-loved and healthy companion.
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Feeding your horse well is essential to ensure its health and well-being. The diet of a horse should cover its physiological needs. These needs are influenced by many factors, including age, breed, sex, climate, physical activity, or health condition. A horse's ration can be composed of different types of food.
The essential diet of a horse
The horse is a herbivore with a very small stomach. Therefore, it needs to consume its food in small quantities and on a regular basis. In the wild, a horse spends most of its time grazing (up to 16 hours a day).
The highly developed intestine is, in fact, the main digestive organ of the horse. Its proper function mainly depends on the balance of the intestinal flora. Changes in rations should be made gradually so that the microbial population can adapt.
The horse's food comes from four main categories:
- Forages. The diet of a domestic horse must be rich in fiber to ensure a well-functioning digestive system. The fiber intake also allows for regular wear and tear of the teeth, which grow continuously. Like water, forage should always be accessible. Moreover, chewing forage keeps the horse occupied and contributes to its calmness. Grass hay, or meadow hay, is the most commonly used forage. Its quality is influenced by the floral composition and harvesting and storage conditions. Alfalfa hay may be of interest in addition to grass hay. Silage can be an alternative forage for horses that have difficulty with dry forage.
- Concentrated feeds. The specific needs of some horses (growing, pregnant, competitive) can be met with concentrated feeds. These concentrates must be integrated into a globally balanced ration to prevent metabolic disorders, colics, or laminitis. Simple concentrates are derived from cereals, legumes, or oilseeds, processed to varying degrees. For example, oats and barley, traditionally used in horse feed, are available in whole, flattened, cracked, or flaked forms. These processes aim to enhance their digestibility and influence their nutritional value. Complete concentrates result from a mixture of various more or less processed foods.
- Dietary supplements : The ration usually covers the horse's mineral needs. However, it's useful to provide a salt block that the horse can regulate its consumption of. Certain foods can be occasionally offered to horses such as mash, apples, carrots, or beets. These complementary foods should, however, be limited and integrated into a balanced ration.
- Treats : offering a horse treat will delight your steed while also providing numerous benefits. As a reward, as part of gentle training, or simply to please it, a little delicacy is welcome in its diet.
Choosing the right food for my horse
The ration of a horse must meet the horse's daily needs for energy, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is possible to combine several simple foods or opt for pre-prepared mixes. In any case, forage and water should be constantly available.
The foods included in the ration must match the horse's profile. Foods providing a lot of energy are mainly intended for horses performing intense efforts, such as racehorses or farm horses.
Foods with a lower energy level may be suitable for horses with more moderate activity, such as leisure horses. It is possible to diversify the forms in which foods are presented to horses (pellets, flakes, flattened grains, crushed...).
Beyond the normal functioning of the horse's body, the ration must cover specific needs related to physical activity or development (growth, gestation, lactation). It can be adjusted to meet additional needs, especially with regards to certain macro-elements like calcium, phosphorus, or sodium. Indeed, it aims to prevent, or even make up for, deficiencies detrimental to the horse's health and performance.
Nutrition must also take into account any potential digestive issues. It may be necessary to include foods that promote good digestion, by rebalancing the intestinal flora, for example. The diversity of foods also allows for variation in meals, which limits boredom and reduces the risk of the emergence of bad eating behaviors such as crib-biting.
The horse's diet should contain nutritious and healthy ingredients. While forage represents a large part of the ration, other foods can be offered to meet the horse's specific needs. The diversity of concentrates allows for variety in the distributed meals while respecting the horse's eating behavior.
Adopt the proper care for my horse
You must take care of your steed, especially if your racehorse participates in many equestrian competitions or shows. You can help it recover well after exertion with protective hygiene products. This applies not only to your leisure or farm horse but also to your competitor. Indeed, it is important to protect it against external aggressions, weather, parasites, or
Your noble companion deserves the best care for its mane, coat, hooves, in short, for its general well-being. You will find everything you need to properly care for your horse: moisturizing cream or soothing balm, eye care, shampoo, insect repellent, and anti-stress products.
Equip my horse with essential accessories
A horse's equipment is varied and wears out regularly depending on its activities. Horse accessories like the halter, lead rope, saddle and its pad, harness, stirrups, and horse blanket are part of your daily riding life. For the safety and comfort of your muscular animal, they should be frequently renewed or simply have duplicates for convenience.
For example, you can clean your saddle pad and put another one on your horse while it dries. Additionally, some basic equipment like the halter or lead rope can be kept simultaneously at the stable and at your home. All our items are made of quality materials at the best prices, perfectly complementing your horse's tack and adapting to all equestrian disciplines.
Take care of your horse by installing an effective electric fence and using efficient farm equipment. Explore other sections dedicated to farm animals to find the food and equipment suitable for raising rabbits, hens, and other poultry.
Frequently Asked Questions about Horse Riding and Equipment
What are the different types of horse riding?
Horse riding is a discipline with many practices. These adapt to the preferences and goals of riders:
- Classical or traditional horse riding focuses on the relationship between rider and horse. It is based on disciplines like dressage, show jumping, or eventing (CCE).
- Leisure horse riding is aimed at relaxation. It offers activities such as horseback rides or treks.
- Western riding is inspired by American cowboys. It includes many practices such as reining (long rein gallops that end with sliding stops), barrel racing (involving circling three barrels as quickly as possible), or calf roping (a lasso throw to catch a calf).
- Artistic riding includes shows, some of which incorporate regional traditions.
What level of riding to own a horse?
It's not necessary to be an excellent rider to own a horse. The most important thing is to have the knowledge and capabilities necessary to properly care for your animal.
You should have a good foundation in horse nutrition and the upkeep of its living space. Even if you decide to board your horse, it is still advisable to know how to care for it and to be able to detect any potential health issues it may suffer from. This knowledge could be useful in unexpected situations.
To own a horse, having knowledge about managing your animal is sufficient. You will thus be able to handle it safely, ensuring your safety, your horse's, and those around you.
When you are in the saddle, you need to be able to control your horse and direct it smoothly in all circumstances and at all paces.
What is the cost of horseback riding?
The price of equestrian practice is determined by several factors:
- the location of the club and its reputation;
- the nature of the riding, equipment, and horses available;
- the number and type of services offered.
Prices range from €500 to over €2,000 per year. If you decide to subscribe to an annual membership, you'll pay between €500 and €1,000 per year for one hour of practice per week. Depending on the number of practice hours, these prices can significantly increase.
Other options are offered by equestrian clubs:
- One-time payment for a price averaging between €40 and €50;
- In packages of 10, 20 hours, or others for a fee starting at €200.
You can benefit from discounts for families, children, or students. Additionally, promotions are offered by different clubs throughout the year.
