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NEWS & ARTICLES : "Biting Off More Than You Can Chew"

"Biting Off More Than You Can Chew" (originally published in PetFolio magazine)

Horse ownership happens! You rode as a kid and now that you're older and settled, you are ready to ride again. Maybe an unfulfilled childhood dream is finally within your reach. In any case, you want to buy a horse.

Naturally for many Nevadans, the romance of owning a wild horse – a piece of history - especially at such a low cost, is irresistible, especially with so many in need of adoption.

Wild horse adopters are often first-time horse owners and in no time they discover that these horses truly are wild, and realize quite often that they have bitten off more than they can chew. Handling wild horses can be very difficult, if not impossible in the beginning. As a result some horses suffer ignorant neglect, and others are abused in an attempt
to tame them.

Before anyone takes on such an enormous task, they should realize that wild horses need the same basic care that domestic horses do:
- quality forage (grass hay is the best)
- fresh water
- salt block access
- shelter from inclement weather
- regular exercise
- routine hoof care
- vaccinations and de-worming
- regular dental care

Many wild horses don't take quickly to humans. It's easy to provide food, water, salt and shelter. Even easy feed-through wormers are available. But hoof care is the most difficult and most critical. Time begins working against an owner as soon as the wild horse is captive. Few owners are able to get the horse the amount of exercise necessary so
that hooves wear down on their own like they do in the wild.

Dental care can become a problem, too. Because of a change in diet and foraging methods, a wild horse's teeth can suffer. Vaccinations are needed as well, but not to the same degree as hoof and dental care.

So before anyone adopts a beautiful part of our heritage, they should utilize the resources provided to educate themselves on wild horses (as well as horses in general). Caring for a horse properly involves a huge commitment of time, energy and possibly money. Young ones generally are easier to gentle, while older ones tend to be more challenging.

If you are considering adoption, talk to other wild horse owners. Join a club to get more opportunities to learn and meet helpful people. Find out who can help you if you have trouble. Make sure that by adopting a wild horse you are truly doing him a favor. If you stick with it, the wonderful wild horse will amaze you!
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