Our horse's health is very important to us. We should be concerned about all aspects of their environment. If you board your horse you should consider their environment too. Visual dangers such as good or poor fencing. Condition of the housing, whether it be a lean-to or large barn. All play a part in preventing an injury to your horse.
Visual inspection of your horses' environment is important but one of the most over looked aspect of their environment is their water and pasture. I once boarded my horses at a really nice and clean stable in the San Franciso Bay Area of California. I boarded them there for 7 years. Our family finally bought our own place where we could keep our horses on our own property. A few years later I heard that many boarders were leaving the nice boarding stable because their well water had become contaminated with gasoline seepage from a gas station that was close by. As a boarder I never thought to have the water checked. I can only hope that my horses will not feel any affects if any in the future since I have no idea when the first sign of contamination took place. As a horse owner I can only warn everyone to HAVE THEIR WELL WATER CHECKED REGULARLY. Who knows what your neighbor is dumping in their ground. Another concern would be if there was or is a Meth Lab in the area. The toxins from that would warrant a water check for your own safety!
Pasture is another problem. If your horse is on pasture as a feed source then you should have your soil checked regularly. Pesticides blown from neighboring properties, deposits from "acid rain" are just a few factors.
I have listed below a few of the labs that will test water and soil. All of them are priced reasonable, isn't your horse worth it?
Is Your Water/Soil Safe? Be Sure With Our Test Kits Click Here
