Regular manure removal from housing or loafing areas reduces parasite and fly population, particularly when pasture rotation is practiced. Prompt and safe disposal of agricultural chemicals will prevent accidental poisonings. Keeping fences in good repair will limit the incidence of lacerations. Regular cleaning of blankets, brushes and halters will help prevent certain skin diseases. The feeding of a palatable, balanced diet is important to a horse's health.
Poor nutrition makes a horse less able to build immunity and more susceptible to disease.
Good animal housing should provide uncrowded shade and shelter while retaining adequate ventilation. Generally, horses are more healthy if allowed free access to shelter, as proposed to being forcibly confined. Horses stabled for more than 12 hours per day tend to have more problems with respiratory disease and colic. Disinfection is defined as the killing of microorganisms. Disinfectants don't work well in the presence of dirt or manure so thorough cleaning is necessary before disinfection.