If you’re like me, guilt is one of your superpowers – and owning horses sure gives us enough to feel guilty about!

When we’re busy, having a quick horse-care routine can mean the difference between feeling accomplished versus feeling like a horrible horse owner.

Worrying is another one of my superpowers. Doing my 5-point check in the morning means I can take care of the basics and know my horses are OK, and it only takes about a half-hour.

My 5-Step Checklist:

1. Health

2. Water

3. Safety

4. Feed

5. Comfort

1. Health

I start with a quick visual check.

• Overall – Make sure nothing obvious catches your eye like blood or swelling. Sometimes something just seems “off”. If he doesn’t seem right – keep an eye on him or call your vet for advice.
• Eyes, ears, and nostrils – Make sure the horse has no discharge, swelling, or injury
• Legs – Run your hands down his legs to check for heat or swelling. Clean his hooves and check for heat, wounds, stones lodged in his shoe, etc.

2. Clean water

Horses need access to clean water. Horses often drink less in cold weather, especially if your trough or buckets freeze.

Heaters for troughs and buckets are available, but floating a ball or a half-full plastic jug (with the lid on) is an easy and free way to help prevent ice.

Break the ice if any develops, then use a kitchen strainer to scoop the ice out and delay the water refreezing.

In the summer, water gets scummy quickly. Dump and scrub your buckets and troughs regularly. And if you leave your hose in the trough, give that a good wipe as well – it can get scummy, too.

Horses also seem fond of pooping in their water and feed buckets, hang an extra so he still has a clean one.

3. Do an area check.

A quick scan of your fencing and stall can alert you to broken boards, protruding nails, or other hazards. If your horse is blanketed, make sure buckles and leg straps are fastened properly. If he’s turned out in a halter, use one that’s leather or has a break-away so he can get free if he catches it on something.

Keep hay strings in one place – empty feed sacks work well. They’re useful but can be a hazard if left lying around.

4. Feed

Along with a clean feed dish, be sure his feed doesn’t smell moldy.

5. Comfort

If your horse stalled, pick it out if you don’t have time for a full mucking. Make sure he has enough bedding to enjoy his afternoon nap, and that he has fresh air but no drafts.

Now that you’ve taken care of your horse’s basic needs for the day, you know he’s safe and happy. And that’s the best feeling any horsewoman can have!