Owning a horse is a big responsibility. Many first time horse owners are shocked to find out horses require more than food, water, and some occasional attention.

Horses require good food, good water, and quality time and that's just the tip of the iceberg. First, remember your horse has a digestive system much different than a dog or a cat, horses eat roughage and graze. Their digestive systems need to be continually working, so horses need access to hay or a pasture that has fresh grass to keep his digestive system functioning naturally. Also, most horses have small stomachs so they eat a few times a day instead of one large meal.

Horses are creatures of habit. Horses like to be fed at the same time every day. They do best when you have established a routine. If you're horse has a tendency to have colic, let your horse have water before hay and then follow hay with the heavier grain meal and this will allow the digestive system to already be in process and your horse won't be as likely to develop colic. On the average, a horse will drink around 11 gallons of water per day, your horse may drink a little less or a little more. Your horse will also need carbs and energy food in the form of oats. The protein in a horse's diet comes from grains, pastureland grasses, alfalfa, clover, and grains.

Horses also need minerals and vitamins in their diets. There are some wonderful supplements available that can be mixed into your horses feed that will give them the things that might be missing from their diets. Make sure your horse's feed container is kept clean; some horses won't eat from a dirty container no matter how hungry they get. Check the hay before you feed it to your horse, make sure all hay is free from mold and does not have a musty smell. Very green hay is also a no-no for horses to eat.

Do not work your horse immediately after eating; let at least an hour pass. Consequently, never feed your horse immediately after riding, let him cool down and rest about an hour.

Above all, let commonsense be your guide. Keep a close eye on your horse and make sure you are feeding him the proper amount of food. Make sure he doesn't become fat and increase his food amount if he is too thin. If his appetite seems "off" this can be one of the earliest signs of illness, wait a day and then call a veterinarian.