Keeping a close eye on the working horses in your operation is key to making sure they can perform the tasks that they need to do.

“It is very important to watch your horses,” says Nebraska Extension equine specialist Kathleen Anderson. “As summer progresses, pastures will dry up and flies will increase. Therefore, owners may need to adjust their feeding plans accordingly.”

Anderson says that nutrient values go down in pastures in late summer, so supplemental hay or grain might be needed to maintain the horses’ weight. “Also, fighting flies can take a toll on some horses’ weight, so they may begin to lose weight,” she says. “You can start with as little as 3 to 5 pounds of grain, which could be fed in one feeding. Additionally, if horses are only graining, or only consuming hay, some type of salt block or loose salt is critical. Most horses should have free access to salt, especially during hot weather.”

Body condition scores are one way to keep track of how well the horses are doing. “It is critical to watch your horses’ body condition score and make sure they do not drop below a 5,” Anderson says. “Be sure they are not too thin or too fat. As we move into cooler weather in the fall, some of the cool-season grasses will begin to grow again, so the feeding plan may change again, until winter moves in.”

Working horses should maintain BCS between 5 and 7. “If they are turned out to pasture in groups, watch to make sure all have a place to eat,” Anderson says. “Sometimes you get a more dominant horse that will run the others off. So, you may end up with one fat horse and others that are thin and not getting enough feed.”

She suggests observing the herd when new horses are introduced, to see how they sort themselves out.

Anderson also reminds horse owners to keep up with at least once-a-year dental checks and have a solid deworming plan in place.

“All adult horses should have their teeth checked once a year by a veterinarian and then floated if needed,” she says. “This can greatly improve their feed efficiency, and sometimes avoid some behavior issues related to a sore mouth. If a horse has a problem with its teeth, the bit can cause pain, so the horse will throw its head and have other issues.”

Anderson says owners need to have a parasite control plan in place and to work with a veterinarian to carry it out. “Some now use fecal egg counts and deworm depending on what is found in the manure,” she notes. “Others still do an every-other-month deworming, alternating the main product on an annual basis.”

Along with the dental check and parasite plan, horses need plenty of good quality forages. “That means clean, dust-free, mold-free hay,” Anderson says. “So, pay close attention to what you are feeding.”

You can learn more about working horse management by contacting Anderson at [email protected].