3 – Management of Horses Flashcards
1
Q
Management and care stats
A
- More than 70% owners have a record for each horse
- 2/3 of operations have some medical/health record
- More than 75% see a vet at least once a year
o $421/year (2010) to $1500/year (2023)
2
Q
How much approximately does it cost to keep a horse?
A
- $15,270
- *feed is most of the cost!
3
Q
Boarding of horses
A
- Average $455(PEI) to $897 (ON) per month
- Includes basic needs
o Highly variable
o Indoor vs. outdoor, riding
o Many charge for additional services (feeding supplement, blanketing, turnout)
4
Q
Practices for isolation/quarantine of horses
A
- *movement is relatively common (especially in summer months)
- *risk of exposure to infectious disease increases
- Isolate those coming for the first time or returning from somewhere else
o Only isolate if known exposure: 44%
o Never isolate: 39.7%
5
Q
What are some management factors that affect equine welfare?
A
- Shelter
- Feed
- Water
- Freedom of movement and exercise
- Company of other horses
- Vet care
- Hoof care
- End of life decisions
- *emergency preparedness
6
Q
What is the lifespan of a horse?
A
- 25-30 years
- *long term responsibility (time and money)
o Need to know basic health and welfare needs
7
Q
Management of performance horses
A
- *managed more intensely than companion horses
- Stall confinement vs. continuous turnout
- Small paddock vs. large range/pasture
- Diet/feeding schedule
- Exercise schedule
- Travel and competition schedule
8
Q
Outdoor housing for horses
A
- 24/7 turnout or access to outdoors is highly recommended
- *management of pastures and small enclosures is key
- Provide shelter (natural or constructed, at least 3 sided if possible, ‘mare hotel’)
- Suitable fencing (wood, metal pipe, wire mesh, vinyl, electric)
o *wire is commonly used, but can cause severe injury
9
Q
What is the thermo-neutral zone of horses?
A
- 5-20 degrees C
o No energy expended to maintain normal body temperature
10
Q
What do horses do when they are cold?
A
- Shiver
o Especially if damp
o Produces heat
o NOT comfortable (regardless of temperature it is outside)
11
Q
What are some sign of heat stroke in horses?
A
- Weak
- Disoriented
- Muscle tremors
- Shallow/rapid breathing
12
Q
Horses kept in a herd
A
- Prefer to live in groups (donkeys are particularly social)
- *dominance hierarchy
o Certain ones aggressive and others submissive
o Important when introducing new members or when dominant individuals leave
13
Q
What are the considerations for indoor housing of horses?
A
- Safety
- Comfort
- Ease of access
- Adequate drainage
- Ventilation
- *poorly designed facilities may lead to spread of disease or increase risk of injury
14
Q
Types of indoor housing for horses?
A
- barns or stables
- stalls within for individual horses (except when mare+foal)
- box stalls
- tie stalls
15
Q
indoor housing flooring
A
- non-slip
- level
- well-drained
16
Q
indoor housing bedding
A
- provide comfort, warmth, dryness, traction and protection from injury
- straw
- wood shavings
- shredded paper
- peat moss
- *need a comfortable place to lie down (sleep ~1hr/day)=necessary for health and well-being
17
Q
Indoor housing cleanliness
A
- Remove horses when cleaning stalls
o Decrease exposure to airborne particles
o Dust and poor ventilation=important contributors to airway disease in horses
18
Q
Indoor air quality
A
- Major factor for development and propagation of airway disease
- *proper management maintains air quality
- Excessive ammonia poses a health threat
- *good ventilation is key to air quality and airway health
19
Q
What should ammonia levels be at?
A
- Less than 10ppm
- *must NOT EXCEDE 25ppm
- If can smell it or have eye irritation, it is likely more than 20ppm
20
Q
What are some signs that management of the horses is poor?
A
- Infectious disease outbreaks
- Horses thin or overweight
- Excessive rate of injuries
- Increased incidence of equine asthma
- Excess number of horses
- Stereotypical behaviours
