Stable Management Flashcards
what are the main reasons to stable a horse?
protection from various dangers / weathers
to ease management issues and demands
where have horses evolved to live?
outdoors
how do horses find shelter?
using their coat
using the herd
using the landscape
what are the difficulties associated with turnout of horses?
risk of injury
mud - skin issues, harder to clean, poaching fields
according to studies how long do horses in the UK spend on average in the stable?
22 hours
what impacts can stable design have on horse health and welfare?
potential for trauma from stable furniture
feed and bedding type can impact resp
stereotypies
what is the usual size of a stall?
1.7m by 3.3m
what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for horses?
12ftx12ft
what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for ponies?
10ft x 10ft
what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for foaling boxes?
14ft x 14ft
what must there be sufficient space in the stable for a horse to do?
turn freely
what may happen if the stable is too small?
injuries
risk of being cast increases
what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for donkeys?
10ft x 10ft
what companions should donkeys be kept with?
at least in pairs
why do donkeys require covered space?
desert animals who do not have waterproof coats
what space is needed for 2 average sized donkeys?
9 sq metres of covered space
describe ideal positioning of the stable block
upwind or avoiding dust sources (e.g. grain stores/muck heap)
trees can provide shelter but be aware of leaves
south facing for sunlight in winter
shelter from prevailing wind
avoid steep slopes
what is the ideal doorway width for stables?
1.2m by 2.4m
what is the benefit of half doors on stables?
ventilation
how can the stable be drained?
slight slope to floor
drainage grooves
keep drains clear
where should hay nets be positioned?
in air outflow not inflow to reduce dust
why should horses be fed from the floor?
stimulation of respiratory tract mucous drainage
pollens and dusts are left at floor level while horse lifts his head to chew
what is the benefit of sunlight in stabling?
provides UV light which can help kill bacteria, viruses and fungi
why may lighting be manipulated to increase daylight hours?
to bring mares into oestrus early in the season
what is evidence of poor stable ventilation?
cobwebs
are horses often hypothermic?
unlikely in a well fed, rugged individual
where does most of the heat produced by a horse come from?
mid gut fermentation
what may increase a horses external heat requirement?
if stabled as static
if clipped
in what animals is generalised hypothermia most likely?
neonates young stock geriatric sick malnourished
what type of hypothermia is more commonly seen in horses?
local or regional chilling of extremities (e.g. limbs or head)
when is local chilling of limbs particularly significant?
before scintigraphy
why will local chilling of limbs affect scintigraphy?
perfusion will be reduced which reduces distribution and so uptake of isotope
how can local chilling of horses be prevented?
bandages and rugs
what is the main role of bedding for horses?
cushioning and comfort as well as absorbent
what does bedding choice depend on?
preference cost effectiveness local availability time maintaining type of horse dust levels
what are the 2 main stable pollutants?
dust
ammonia
why is dust a stable pollutant?
irritates
allergens (e.g. mould, pollen, mite excrement)
how can you reduce dust in the stables?
use quality forage/bedding
soaking forage
muck out without the horse in the stable
how is ammonia produced?
bacteria breakdown faeces / urine
what are the issues with ammonia?
local irritation and reduction in mucocilliary clearance
how can ammonia be reduced?
used absorbent bedding and muck out frequently
why should the bed be lifted and floor allowed to dry regularly when mucking out?
reduces ammonia
reduces mold formation
where should a soaked hay net be located?
over drain
what are the issues with deep litter bedding?
build up of ammonia likely
all bedding needs to be removed at intervals which is intense
risk of thrush from damp bedding
how should the horses respiratory system be managed when stabled?
feed from floor
soak/steam haylage/hay if dusty
hang hay net at air outlet
provide quality bedding and muck out daily
remove horse from stable before mucking out
ventilation is key!!
stable as little as possible
what is involved in the stable management of hospitalised patients?
deep bed / rubber matting
muck out fully daily and skip out 2-3 times
completely disinfect stable between patients
muck heap kept far away from stables
why are deep beds crucial for hospitalised patients?
often recumbent
reduces trauma
clean if mucked out daily
describe hospital isolation facilities for horses
distant and downwind from other horses
own equipment (labelled or distinct colour)
PPE worn
Dirty bedding treated as clinical waste
completely empty, disinfect and test between patients
how long dog horses normally forage for per day?
18 hours
what sort of grazer are horses?
selective, continuous of mixed types
what are the golden rules of horse feeding?
fresh water at all times forage should form most of diet feed little and often avoid sudden diet changes keep the same routine allow time between concentrate and exercise
what percentage of diet should be made up by forage?
50% at least
what may be required by a horse who is fed at grass?
hard feed (small)
balancer
supplementary forage
how should stabled horses be fed?
ad lib forage (best from floor)
supplemented with concentrates
how long should patients be starved before surgery?
2hr pre op
how may feeding needs alter in the hospitalized patient?
energy demands will increase with healing
how can patient energy needs be monitored?
weigh regularly - on arrival and then daily/weekly
how should cross tied patients be fed?
supervised meals from floor to allow them to lower their heads
what is the essential daily grooming task?
pick out hooves
how may fly exposure in horses be managed?
topical repellent spray/cream
rugs
fly fringe/masks
