The Realities of Using Modern Day Pleasure Horses to Work and Pull Carts:

 

• You can't just set them up an go! 

• You have to work on training your animal to perform this type or any type of activity at least 1-2 hours per day as many days as possible. 

• They may run from the cart, the sensation of pulling weight or wearing unusual gear. 

• Be prepared for something to go wrong. 

• Horses are not machines. They have brains and you must work with it as much as possible. They have to be comfortable with you and the situation to perform well.  

 

Long Term Feed and Security

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Feed:

 

• 10 acres is about enough property for sustaining feed and still being able to produce your own hay.

• Buy as much hay as you can when it is cheap during cutting to save money while it's expensive and to stock for a disaster event.

• Stock bagged feeds that can provide more nutrients with less storage needed. Store in metal containers for best results.

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Water:

• If you have a well consider a hand, wind, or solar pump to have as an alternative to electric.

• Have a holding tank for extra water storage.

• Utilize a pond or natural water feature.

• Realize that feeding and watering a horse will be a big challengeSecurity:Once the cattle, deer and other easily accessible animals are gone the threat will get bigger.

• A long term survival situation or nuclear threat may require you to find a way to keep them much closer, if you want them to survive.

 

Farrier and Veterinary Care Tips

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• Have a book or two on the topics in you library at home.

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Farrier Issues:

• Get a Farrier Kit to have in your preps.

• Learn about horse hooves and their care:

• Pay attention to what your farrier does and give it a try.

• How much will the horse naturally wear its hoof down?

• What type of hoof does your horse have?

• Understand the angle of the hoof makes a big difference for horse longevity. A lame horse won't do you any good.

• How will weather be affecting your horse's hoof condition.

 

Veterinary Issues:

• Have a supply of a wound salve stocked up.

• Most veterinary medicines are interchangeable between animals and people but the dosages must be adjusted.

• NEVER GIVE YOUR HORSE ANTIBIOTICS! Horse's digestive systems are very sensitive and can be severely affected by antibiotics. Any antibiotic treatment must be done through injection or topical application.

• Learn to administer your horse's shots and worming procedures. Find out from a supplier how long those meds can be stored and start rotating a stock of them.