Which aspect is essential for maintaining the health of horses?

Ensuring that horses have fresh food and water is crucial for their overall health and well-being. Horses are herbivores that depend on a balanced diet of forage, primarily grass or hay, along with access to clean, fresh water at all times. Fresh food provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that horses need to maintain their bodily functions, support their immune system, and sustain energy levels. Adequate hydration is equally important, as water plays a vital role in digestion, circulation, and thermoregulation.

While it may seem beneficial to allow horses to roam freely or restrict their movement for safety, these options can present nuanced challenges and may not address the fundamental need for proper nutrition and hydration. Overfeeding, on the other hand, can lead to obesity and health issues, such as laminitis, which is detrimental to a horse's health. Thus, the focus on providing fresh food and water stands out as the foundation of good equine care.