Horse care records: keeping a useful history
The farrier has visited, a date has been suggested for the next appointment, and the information ends up in a chat. Useful care records bring together what has happened and what still needs arranging, so you can find the facts when you need them.
By the Paddoco team ·
Jump to frequently asked questions
Start with a record you can make sense of later
In Paddoco, follow-up starts from the horse profile. In Care, Observations and reports brings together accessible visits, reports and files, alongside due items and professional appointments. Before adding an entry, check the horse and the real date: the entry date does not always describe the visit day.
A precise title and a short note are easier to find than a simple “done”. Record what was carried out and the information the professional gave you. If a detail is missing, leave it to be confirmed rather than filling it in from memory.
Separate facts, observations and next steps
- The fact: the visit took place on a particular date, with the work carried out identified.
- The observation: what you noticed, described simply, without turning it into a diagnosis.
- The next step: the appointment agreed or the question to ask the professional.
An example to adapt: “The farrier visited this morning. Next appointment to be confirmed with them.” This wording separates a completed visit from a date that is still uncertain. It is a writing example, not a testimonial or a recommended interval between visits.
A due date is a reminder of something still to do
Paddoco lets you set a due date with a label, category and reminders. You can also specify a time or a repeat interval where appropriate. Use the dates and intervals agreed with the professional responsible for your horse’s care; an app setting does not determine what your horse needs.
Once the appointment has taken place, record the completed visit and check the next due date. If it is postponed, update the planned date. Receiving a reminder or reaching a date does not establish that the care was given.
Check who can view and edit
A horse’s profile does not need to show everyone the same information. Access in Paddoco depends on permissions for the horse, roles within the yard and visibility settings. Before sharing responsibility for records, check the relevant people’s access and agree who will log each visit.
A simple routine to keep records useful
After a visit, check the date, title and next action. Before the next appointment, find the previous entry and prepare any outstanding questions. The records help you share an accurate history; care decisions remain a matter for the appropriate professional.
Read a report and its findings without reinventing them
Profession-specific reports can complete the record: dentistry, farriery, osteopathy, saddle fitting and bit fitting. A horse diagram shows the latest permitted findings with their date and source. It does not certify the present condition and an empty area is not a clinical conclusion.
Open the original report to distinguish observations, actions performed and advice. Horse access permissions, professional agreements and qualifications still apply; an imported document grants no extra access.
See the care steps in the guide
Frequently asked questions about care records
What should I record after a farrier or vet visit?
Record the actual date of the visit, the work carried out and the information provided by the professional. Add the next action once it has been agreed. Keep your observations separate and do not present them as a diagnosis.
Does an overdue reminder automatically become a completed care record?
No. A reminder represents a planned action. Once the visit has taken place, record what happened in the horse’s history and check the next date. If the appointment was postponed, update the reminder rather than implying that the visit took place.
Should every care appointment repeat?
No. A one-off visit can have a single date. Only set a repeat interval when one has been agreed with the relevant professional. Paddoco helps organise appointments; the app does not decide how often care is needed.
How can we avoid duplicate entries when several people care for a horse?
Agree who will record the visit. Before creating an entry, check the history and date. With contribution permissions, Record completed care or Done today records completion; when care already exists, use the offered confirmation. Contribution permissions do not allow managing every due item.
Updated on 12 October 2026. Thank you to the community: your feedback helps Paddoco improve.