Equine husbandry

Question 1

Horse average DM intake

Answer 1

3% body weight

Question 2

Dentition

Answer 2

Prehension = incisors
Mastication = molars

Question 3

What should forage proportion of diet be

Answer 3

1. Mainstay of the diet
2. rule of thumb proportion: Maintenance = 80-100%
3. Work:
   light = 80-90%
   Moderate = 50-80%
   Intensive = 30-50%
   Late Gestation = 50-60%
   Lactation = 40-60%

Question 4

What proportion of fresh forage (grass)

Answer 4

10-30% DM

Question 5

What proportion of conserved forage

Answer 5

1. must be older than 2 months before feeding
2. hay = 80-90% DM
3. Haylage = 50-65% DM

Question 6

Cereals

Answer 6

1. Oats: Palatable, can be fed whole or rolled/bruised
   Easily digested in small intestine
   53% starch, 12% protein, 5% fat, 12% fibre
   Can be heating – rapid release of energy
2. Barley: Hard kernel – needs to be treated (crushed/bruised). Limited digestion in small intestine
   Can lead to starch overload in hindgut. Good for condition gain
3. Corn = Lower fibre, but higher in energy than oats
   High starch, less digested in SI = increased risk of starch overload in large intestine
4. Bran = Outer portion of wheat grains. Fed as a ‘mash’ : laxative effects! High fibre/low protein

Question 7

Maintenance energy of a horse lighter than 600kg BW and heavier

Answer 7

Horses < 600 kg BW:
MJ/d = (1.4 + 0.03 x BW) x 4.18
Mcal/d = 1.4 + (0.03 x BW)

Horses >600 kg BW:
Mcal/d = 1.82 + (0.0383 x BW) – (0.000015 xBW2)

Question 8

energy for breeding

Answer 8

early gestation = M only
Late gestation (9-11 months) = M+ 20%
Early lactation = M+ 50% (to 12)
Late lactation (13-24 weeks = M + 25%
Stallion in breeding = M +25%

Question 9

What sort of GI are they described as having?

Answer 9

monogastric, hindgut fermenters

Question 10

What plants are toxic to horses

Answer 10

1. Ragwort

2. Acorns/ Sycamore

Question 11

What is hay?

Answer 11

1. coserved grass/alfalfa

2. cut while still green then dried (protein content dec with age, fibre and lignified tissue inc

Question 12

What is haylage

Answer 12

1. NAturally fermented grass
2. cut white still green, dired for short, baled
3. Highly nutritious, digestible and palatable
4. Reduced dust, spoils quickly once opened

Question 13

What are examples of protein supplements

Answer 13

May contain toxins so much boil or cook to deactivate

1. Linseed = low starch and sugar. High protein. High omega 3 content/ high oil content = safe energy source
2. Soya bean meal cake = biologially valuable, broodmares

Question 14

What is an additional fibre source for horses?

Answer 14

1. sugar beet:
   a) requires soaking
   b) high in fibre = especially soluble fibre
   c) Low sugar no starch
   d) palatable, adds bulk
   e) calcium rich

Question 15

How can feed be presented?

Answer 15

1. Haynets/bags
2. racks
3. mangers
4. floor

Question 16

How to work out a horses weight using formula

Answer 16

wight (kg) = Girth^2 (cm) X length (cm) / 11900

Question 17

What breeds are “hot blooded”

Answer 17

1. Thoroughtbreds: racing = 15-17hh 400-650kg

2. Arabs: endurance = 14-16hh 350-550 kg

Question 18

What breeds are “Heavy/ Draught

Answer 18

1. Shire, Clydesdale, Cleveland Bay, Suffolk Punch, Percheron etc
2. 16-19hh, 650-1100kg

Question 19

What breeds are “Warmblood/ sports horses

Answer 19

1. Trakehner, Oldenburg, Dutch warmblood, Hanovarian etc

2. 14.2-17.2hh, 400 – 650kg

Question 20

What breeds are ponies

Answer 20

Shetland, Exmoor, Fell, New Forest, Highland, welsh etc

Under 14.2hh, 200-550kg

Question 21

How do we age horses

Answer 21

1. appearance
2. time of year
3. Teeth
4. identity document

Question 22

How do you determine the height?

Answer 22

1. Official body = jint measurement board = official organisation
2. Standing on level ground, no shoes, foot trimmed, over 4 years, stick must be level footed and have a spirit level

Question 23

What is the importance of height

Answer 23

1. ID description
2. Competition - class eligibilty
3. breed standards

Question 24

What do grass kept horses require

Answer 24

min 1 acre per hrose

Question 25

why would you house

Answer 25

1. Control of exercise or food intake 2. Protect wet or overgrazed pastures 3. Protect from Heat and flies in summer Cold and adverse weather in winter 4. Monitor wellbeing and assist convalescence

Question 26

What vaccinations must horses have

Answer 26

1. equine influenza: 6 month booster | 2. Tetnus

Question 27

What is the typical body composition of a horse?

Answer 27

1. 60% water 2. 20% protein 3. 12% fat 4. 7% mineral 5. 1% carbohydrate 6. <1% stored carbohydrate Fat = most variable component