Stable Management Flashcards
What are the two main types of stable?
Looseboxes = all access directly to outside Barns = access is within a building
Describe looseboxes.
Wooden or stone
Frequently in rows or yards
Individual stables with individual or shared airspaces
Describe American barns.
Individual stables within larger barn
Usually wide central passageway - sliding doors maximise space
Shared air space or overhead forage/bedding storage
Describe barns.
Stone, metal or timber
Large area (possibly communal) which horse has space to move around in more freely (good following recovery of orthopaedic conditions)
Frequently deep-littered (poor respiratory condition unless good ventilation)
Describe stalls.
Rare - ‘holding areas’
Frequently found in old-fashioned yards and hacking centres/riding schools
Row of horses tied up with barriers between and passage behind
May have rope/chain across rear (potential for trauma)
Usually 1.7m wide x 3.3.m long
What are the BHS minimum stable size recommendations?
Large horses = 12ft x 14ft Horses = 12ft x 12ft Large ponies = 10ft x 12ft Ponies = 10ft x 10ft Foaling box (horse) = 14ft x 14ft
What considerations should we have for stables?
Positioning of stable block Doorways Drainage Fixtures and fittings Illumination Ventilation Insulation Beddings
Which horses are at most risk of hypothermia?
Neonates Youngstock Geriatric Sick Malnourished
What does choice of bedding depend on?
Personal preference Cost effectiveness Local availability Time maintaining Type of horse Dust
What are the two main types of stable pollutants?
Dust
Ammonia
Describe dust as a stable pollutant.
Nuisance (irritants) / allergens (e.g. mould) / pollen / mite excrement
Reduce exposure by quality forage/bedding selection, soaking forage and mucking out without horse in the stable
Describe ammonia as a stable pollutant.
Bacteria breakdown excretions to produce NH4
Locally irritant and reduces mucociliary clearance
High concentrations when mucking out
Reduce by more absorbent bedding choices and frequency of mucking out
How do we manage a horse’s respiratory system through stable management?
Feed forage from floor level (soaked/steamed dust forage or haylage, hang at air outlet, if wet hang over drain)
Provide quality bedding and muck out daily (remove horse from stable before mucking out)
Consider ventilation for all seasons (air egress/ingress on at least 2 sides)
Use stabling as little as possible and turn horse out with shelter
How do we muck out a normal stable?
Daily full clean
Remove all faeces and any wet/soiled bedding
Lift all bedding and place clean in one place
Sweep floor (+/- dry time)
Place remaining bedding on floor
Add fresh bedding to banks as required
How do we muck out a deep-litter stable?
Quick daily skip out (droppings removed, fresh bedding put over existing) Not hygienic (build-up of ammonia, hooves exposed to damp bedding (thrush)) Need to remove all bedding at intervals
