Complete Guide to Daily Horse Care

Updated: June 2026. This is a general guide and does not replace the advice of an equine veterinarian.

Maintaining a horse in healthy condition involves a routine that combines daily care, periodic check-ups, and veterinary attention. This guide structures typical care by its frequency, outlining what needs to be done daily, weekly, monthly, and annually.

Before going into detail, a premise: the specific care for each horse varies according to breed, age, workload, and individual pathologies. What follows is the general guideline applicable to most healthy horses kept in stalls or semi-liberty systems.

Daily Care

Stall Cleaning

Manure is removed daily, and bedding is replaced if it is wet. Dirty straw, shavings, or pellets are replaced as needed. A well-maintained stall drastically reduces the risk of respiratory and dermatological problems. Concentrated ammonia from urine irritates the horse's respiratory tract: daily cleaning is non-negotiable.

Water and Feed

Clean water should be permanently available. An adult horse consumes between 25 and 60 liters of water per day, depending on temperature, exercise, and diet. Automatic drinkers are convenient, but it's important to check daily that they are working correctly and not accumulating dirt. Forage (quality hay or silage) is divided into 2-3 daily servings to mimic the horse's natural continuous grazing. Concentrates, if given, are provided in 1-2 daily feeds.

Grooming

If the horse is to be ridden, pre-ride grooming is essential: it removes dust, mud, and loose hair, stimulates circulation, and allows for the detection of wounds, swellings, or any abnormalities. A complete routine includes a curry comb (to remove dry mud), a dandy brush (to remove main dirt), a soft brush (for finishing), and a mane and tail comb.

Hoof Cleaning

Every day, before and after riding, all four hooves are lifted and cleaned with a hoof pick. This removes stones, mud, and organic matter that can cause problems such as thrush or infection. It is also the time to check the condition of the shoes (if any) or the hoof wall and sole.

Weekly Care

Deep Stall Cleaning

Once a week, a more thorough cleaning of the stall is performed: removing all bedding, cleaning the floor, disinfecting if necessary, and re-bedding from scratch. This prevents the accumulation of urine under the bedding and associated problems.

Equipment Washing

Saddle pads, bandages, or boots that are used intensively should be washed at least once a week. The accumulation of sweat on these items can cause rubs and skin problems. Machine washing with neutral detergent and air drying is the most conservative approach.

Full Visual Inspection

Once a week, dedicate 10-15 minutes to visually inspect the entire horse's body: clean eyes, nostrils free of discharge, healthy coat, absence of wounds, hooves free of cracks, symmetrical posture. Detecting changes early facilitates treating problems in their initial stages.

Monthly Care

Internal Deworming

The deworming program is guided by the veterinarian. The most common approach combines periodic fecal egg counts and deworming based on results, rather than a blind calendar. Rotation of active ingredients (ivermectin, moxidectin, fenbendazole, praziquantel) is important to prevent resistance.

Full Wash (when conditions allow)

In climates and seasons that permit it, a monthly full bath with a specific horse shampoo. In winter or cold climates, space it out more or substitute with partial washing. Washing removes accumulated dust, sweat, and bacteria from the skin.

Equipment Inspection

Once a month, a more in-depth inspection of the equipment: saddle and bridle leather, stitching, buckles, condition of saddle pads and blankets, velcro on boots. Worn or defective equipment is a common cause of problems that are mistaken for horse issues.

Care Every 6-8 Weeks

Farrier

A professional farrier checks, trims, and shoes (if applicable) every 6-8 weeks. Unshod horses require similar checks and trimming. A farrier appointment is a time to review the horse's conformation and any foot problems. The professional farrier is one of the most important investments in horse care.

Care Every 3-6 Months

Dental Check-up

Horse teeth grow continuously and wear down with chewing. When wear is uneven, sharp points and edges appear, causing wounds to the tongue and cheeks. Dental check-ups by an equine veterinarian or specialized equine dentist are done every 6-12 months, as appropriate, with corrective floating when necessary. Horses with problems accepting the bit or changes in chewing should be checked sooner.

Annual Care

Vaccination

The vaccination program is guided by the veterinarian. In Spain, the most common vaccines are:

Tetanus. Essential. Annual or biennial booster depending on the schedule.
Equine influenza. Mandatory for participation in RFHE competitions.
Equine rhinopneumonitis. Especially important for pregnant mares and horses in high concentration.
Encephalitis. In at-risk areas.
Rabies. In at-risk areas or if traveling outside the EU.

Baseline Blood Test

An annual blood test (complete blood count, basic biochemistry) is good preventive practice, especially for middle-aged or older horses. It detects metabolic, liver, or kidney problems in their early stages.

Complete Dental Examination

Although it may have been partially done every 6 months, a complete annual examination is the most conservative approach.

Feeding: Basic Principles

A horse's diet is built on three pillars: forage, concentrates (if applicable), and water.

Forage

The basis of a horse's diet is forage (hay, fresh grass, silage). As a general reference, an adult horse consumes between 1.5 and 2.5 kg of forage per 100 kg of body weight per day. This means a 500 kg horse consumes between 7.5 and 12.5 kg of forage daily.

Concentrates

Concentrates compensate for what forage does not provide, especially energy and protein for horses in work, gestation, or growth. The choice and dosage depend on the type of work and the horse's condition. Energy feeds for intensive sport, maintenance feeds for leisure horses, specific feeds for mares, etc.

Supplements

Only when there is an identified deficiency or a specific need. Joint supplements for horses in intensive work or old age, electrolytes for endurance rides or extreme heat, biotin for hoof problems, vitamins for confirmed deficiencies. Do not supplement blindly: more is not better.

Dietary Changes

Changes in a horse's diet should be made gradually, over 7-10 days, by mixing the new food with the old in increasing proportions. Abrupt changes are a common cause of colic.

Additional Hygiene and Well-being

Regular Exercise

Even without daily riding, the horse needs movement. Ideally, turnout in a paddock or lunging on days it is not ridden. The horse is not an animal designed to spend 23 hours in a stall.

Socialization

The horse is a social animal. Visual companionship and, if possible, physical contact with other horses. Completely isolated horses develop behavioral problems (stereotypical movements, anxiety, aggression).

Attention to Behavior

Changes in behavior (sudden apathy, loss of appetite, refusal to exercise, new aggression) are often the first symptom of a physical problem. It is important to take them seriously and consult a veterinarian if they persist.

Quick Horse Care Calendar

Frequency	Care
Daily	Stall cleaning, water, feed, pre-ride grooming, hoof cleaning
Weekly	Deep stall cleaning, equipment washing, visual inspection
Monthly	Deworming according to schedule, full wash, equipment inspection
6-8 Weeks	Farrier / hoof trim
3-6 Months	Dental check-up
Annually	Vaccinations, baseline blood test, complete dental examination