Slide 1What Do Horses Want?What Do People Want?Basic Needs: WaterBasic Needs: CompanionshipBasic Needs: TurnoutBasic Needs: TurnoutBasic Needs: TurnoutEffects of Inadequate TurnoutFencing For HorsesBasic Needs: ShelterFire SafetyDo Horses Need Blankets?Basic Needs: ForageGastric UlcersForage QualityIndividual Nutrient Requirements Vary!Concentrate Feeds For HorsesWhat About Supplements?General Guidelines For Feeding HorsesHorse Health: VaccinesHorse Health: DewormingHorse Health: Hoof CareEnvironmental ConsiderationsQuestions?Introduction to Horse ManagementANSC 160What Do Horses Want?What Do People Want?Basic Needs: WaterAn average horse will consume 5-20 gallons of water per day Affected by weather conditions, exercise, diet, etc.Water should be fresh, clean, unfrozen, and available at all timesHorses prefer water to be 45°-65°FBasic Needs: CompanionshipHorses are herd animalsBeing alone causes them to feel insecure and anxiousShould at minimum be able to see, hear, and smell other animalsIdeally, most horses should be turned out in compatible groupsBasic Needs: TurnoutHorses are meant to travel large distances every day, foraging as they goLand availability and human convenience demand that we contain horses in some wayIdeally, all horses should be turned out in as large of a space as is available for as long as possibleBasic Needs: TurnoutTurnout space/time may be restricted due to :Land availability (ex.: Southern CA)Traveling to shows, races, event, etc.Injury or health issuesHuman convenienceInclement weather/lack of shelter in turnoutBasic Needs: TurnoutHow much land do I need?For year-round grazing and minimal damage to pastures, general rule of thumb is 1-3 acres/horse in most areasSmaller spaces can be adequate but require more intensive managementMuch smaller spaces may be workable for turnoutHorses should be able to run, play, and turn with minimal chance of injuryAlso need space to avoid one another when requiredEffects of Inadequate TurnoutDevelopment of stall vicesCribbing, weaving, etc.Excessive energy and/or weight gainRespiratory illness Dusty environments/poor ventilationHay loftsIncreased risk of colicPrimarily due to stress and gastric ulcersFoals/young horsesReduced bone densityDevelopmental orthopedic diseasesPoorly developed social skillsFencing For HorsesHorse fencing should be safe, strong, well-maintained, and highly visibleSafety especially important in smaller spaces4.5’-5’ high for most horsesSpecial considerations for foals, stallions, minis, draft horses, and fencing along roadwaysBarbed wire and horses do not mix well!!Basic Needs: ShelterHorses require shelter from sun/heat, wind, rain, and insectsAcceptable shelter varies by location and climateTree lineThree-sided “run-in” shedTraditional barnHorses tolerate cold much better than heat!Thermoneutral temperature = 40°-60°FShelters should be large enough to accommodate all horses in the field and provide multiple exit routesFire SafetyBarns can burn to the ground in minutesStalls with two exits provide best chance of rescuing horsesEnsure safe and quick access to barn and adequate water sources for fire department vehiclesStore hay and bedding in a separate building from horsesDon’t park tractors or vehicles inside barnsNO SMOKINGMinimize dust, cobwebs, etc.Unplug electrical appliances when not in useUSE CAUTION with box fans, heated buckets, etc.Electrical wiring should be run through conduitDo Horses Need Blankets?Healthy horses with winter coats and access to appropriate shelter and ample forage do not require blankets in the winterBlankets may be needed for:Geriatric horses“Hard keepers”Horses kept under lights or clippedSick or injured horsesHorses without access to shelter during turnoutBroodmares with foals at their sides should not wear blanketsBlankets must fit well, be appropriate for the horse’s living conditions, and be changed regularly as weather conditions changeBasic Needs: ForageHorses are grazing animalsDesigned to consume small quantities of forage on a near-constant basisMinimum requirement is 1% of BW per day in long-stem forage dry matterMost horses should have constant access to forage when possibleGastric UlcersMay affect up to 90% of performance horsesContributing Factors:Stall confinementMeal feeding (fasting)High grain dietsStressForage QualityHay fed to horses should be:CleanFree from mold/mildewOf an appropriate quality for the horse’s nutritional requirementsForage testingOnly way to definitively assess nutrient content of hay and pastureIndividual Nutrient Requirements Vary!Concentrate Feeds For HorsesConcentrates are fed to fill in nutritional gaps left by the forage portion of the dietPrimarily energyAvailable in many forms:“Straight” grainsTextured / “sweet” feedsPelleted feeds“Complete” feedsRation balancersWhat About Supplements?General Guidelines For Feeding HorsesKnow the requirements (NRC)Test your forageFill in gaps with appropriate concentrates and/or supplementsFeed horses (concentrates/supplements) individuallyFeed by weight, not volumeNever feed more than 5 lbs of concentrate in one mealHave forage available at all times if possibleK.I.S.S.!!!Horse Health: VaccinesCore vaccines should be given to every horse, every year* RabiesTetanusEastern/Western Equine EncephalomyelitisWest Nile VirusRisk-based vaccines depend on exposureEquine HerpesvirusEquine InfluenzaPotomac Horse VirusStranglesBotulismEquine Viral ArteritisRotoviral DiarrheaAnthraxHorse Health: DewormingAnthelmentic resistance is a real and growing concern for horse populationsOld “rotational” deworming strategy is no longer recommendedDaily dewormers are even worse!Horses should be dewormed strategically based on FEC resultsHorse Health: Hoof Care“No hoof, no horse”!!!!All horses should receive routine hoof careClean regularly and inspect for injuriesHooves should generally be trimmed every 4-8 weeksDo horses need shoes?Environmental ConsiderationsHorses should be fenced out of ponds, creeks, etc.Reduce erosion and contaminationAlso reduces exposure of horses to diseasesHave a