The Fundamentals of Equine Care

The Fundamentals of Equine Care Page | 1

Introduction

Have you ever thought about owning a horse? Perhaps your hero is Alexander the Great and you want your very own Bucephalus. Maybe when you were five you asked your parents for a horse on your birthday. In order to convince your parents, you would compare taking care of a horse to taking care of your cat. Unfortunately, the amount of work that goes into caring for a horse is much more strenuous than the work that goes into caring for your common house pet. Horses require, a healthy, scheduled diet, substantial housing, daily grooming, routine veterinarian and farrier visits, and exercise. Rain or shine, you will be taking care of your horse. This guide is the introduction to horse care. It is meant to show the amount of hard work and dedication needed in order to give a horse a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential when it comes to horse care. Horses, like humans, need carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats, and water in order to have a healthy diet. The intake of each nutrient depends on the health, age, and workload of your horse. An equine veterinarian can determine what your horse needs for their diet.

Carbohydrates The basis of a horses diet is carbohydrates, they make up about 75 % of a horses diet [1]. Carbohydrates break down into glucose during the horses digestion, which gives the horse energy to perform its daily activities. Common examples of carbohydrates are grass and hay. Horses obtain grass from their pastures, in which they will graze throughout the day. When grass is depleting in the pasture, hay can be placed in the pasture to make sure your horse is getting enough roughage. Do not feed your horse lawn clippings. Horses have a difficult time digesting grass clippings which can lead to impaction. Horses living in stalls will have constant access to hay. There are different types of hay that can be fed to horses, grass hays and legume hays. Bermudagrass, orchardgrass, and timothy make up grass hays, while alfalfa and clover make up legume hays. Your horses hay should be free of mold and dirt, as well as be fresh and not old. Moldy and dusty hay can cause respiratory problems in horses [2]. Old hay has little nutritional value. For example, the carotene in hay decreases rapidly over time [3]. Horses need carotene for sight, cell growth, and recovery.

ProteinsWhen most people hear protein they think meat. For horses, proteins come in the form of plants. Protein can come from hay, where grass hays contain less protein than legume hays [4]. Depending on the intake of proteins from roughage will dictate whether or not a protein supplement should be added to your horses diet. Proteins consist of nutrients that are necessary for muscle development, as well as hoof and hair growth. Protein is important in young horses, but it also benefits adult horses. Young horses need proteins for development, while adult horses need proteins for maintenance [5].

Vitamins and MineralsVitamins and minerals are needed for proper development and maintenance of horses. As stated earlier, the carotene in hay benefits the horse in a few ways, but it decrease rapidly in roughage. Carotene is also known as vitamin A. If a horse is eating older hay that has lost some of its nutritional value, a vitamin A supplement should be added to the horses feed.

FatsFor horses who need more energy, such as competing horses, fats can be added into their feed. Horses, on average, have three to five percent of fat in there feed. Therefore it makes a small amount of a horses diet, as shown in the chart above. Horses who are fed excessive amounts of fat can become obese [6].

WaterIn addition to food, horses need plenty of water. Water is the most important nutrient of a horses diet, they cannot survive long without it. On average, a horse will drink eight to twelve gallons of water a day [7]. During the summer your horse will drink plenty of water on its own, and it may even drink up to eighteen gallons a day. During the winter, your horse may not drink as often due to the cold temperature of the water or decreased activity. As your horses caretaker it is important that you supply fresh, clean water to your horse. Buckets and troughs containing water should be scrubbed weekly to rid water of contaminants such as algae.

Feeding ScheduleNot only does it matter what you feed your horse, but when you feed your horse. It is best to feed your horses in small amounts frequently, as opposed to one or two large meals a day. Keeping a schedule of what times you will feed your horse is essential. Horses are able to sense the time of day. They know when they should be fed once they are put on a consistent schedule. Failing to stick to feed your horse at their scheduled time could cause the horse to become agitated, antsy, or even ill [7].

Housing

Unfortunately, horses are large animals and require ample living space. Appropriate housing for horses typically revolves around three things: enough space to exercise, access to water, and protection from the elements. There are two ways to house your horse: stalls and pastures. In most cases, the two forms of housing are combined. Depending on the season, a horse will divide its time between a stall and a pasture. During winter months, a horse will be turned out during the day, and kept inside a stall at night. During the summer months, horses will spend their nights in the pasture, and their days in the stall. This form a scheduling is too keep the horses at the best temperatures, while still providing them the ability to graze and roam as they wish.

Stalls Stalls are located in the stables. They will give protection from the elements and constant access to water. Due to the confined space, horses dont have much to move around. If your horse is not being turned out in the pasture, then it must get another form exercise. The exercise does not have to be intense, your horse just needs to work enough so that stress isnt put on its joints and tendons by standing around all day. Stable vices can sometimes develop in horses who spend all their time in the stall. There are several types of stable vices. Some of these stable vices include cribbing or windsucking, kicking, weaving, and wood chewing. Descriptions of these vices are listed below.I. Cribbing and WindsuckingThe sucking of air is known as cribbing or windsucking. The difference between the two is that cribbing involves the horse latching on to an object and sucks in air, windsucking occurs without an object. Cribbing or windsucking can be dangerous, as it can lead to colic, an impaction in the intestines [8]. Crib collars can be used to prevent, but not cure, frequent cribbing [9].II. Kicking Horses who are waiting for their meals to be served to them or fights with stall neighbors can cause them to kick at stall doors and walls. This stable vice can be harmful for horses, as it can cause injury to their joint, tendons, muscles, and hooves [10].III. WeavingDaniel Mills describes weaving as An obvious repetitive lateral swaying movement of the head, neck, forequarters and sometimes hindquarters; box walking, circular route tracing within the stable [11]. Studies have shown that weaving is caused to due to a lack of social contact. When horses have stall neighbors or a window giving them a view of other horses a decrease in their weaving occurs. IV. Wood chewingHorses have a natural need for fibers that they can receive from wood. When they do not have access to trees or fall branches they will chew on the wood of their fences or stall. There are a few ways to cure this habit. Diet and exercise are the main two. Horses who are fed diets of concentrates instead of hay or lack in physical activity can be prone to wood chewing [12].

Susan Lyon, from Ontario Canada, invented Neigh Station [13]. Neigh Station is used to prevent horses from developing stable vices by keeping them occupied with a mirror, a clicking, sliding latch, and a toy rider. Cheaper versions of a horse toys can be stuffed animals, playground balls, and traffic cones [14], these will help keep your stall bound horse occupied and prevent them from developing naughty habits.

PasturesHorses enjoy being allowed to roam free. Pastures allow them the freedom to do what they please. A rule of thumb is that pasture should allow 1 to 2 acres per horse, especially if the horses only source of food is grass. Some states have different rules, or no rules, for the amount of acres your horse needs. It is best to check with your state laws on horses allowed per acre. For example, Maryland counties do not have a law on how many horses are allowed per acre [15]. In addition to plenty of space, pastures should have proper fencing, a shelter for harsh weather and constant access to water. As stated earlier, horses can develop a vice known as wood chewing. In order to protect your pastures fencing, you can line it with wire or coat it in a undesirable, nontoxic, substance. Shelters should be able to withstand harsh weather, such as blizzards or thunderstorms, and provide shade from the sun or protection from rain. Water troughs should be placed throughout the pasture, and filled routinely to provide horses a continuous access to a water supply.

Boarding The majority of people wont have the space to own a horse. In these cases, horses can be boarded at a stable in their area. Unfortunately, the cost of boarding can be expensive, ranging from about $400-$600 a month. The amount of money per month depends on the whether the horse is being placed in a pasture or in a stall. Pasture boarding tends to be less expensive than stall boarding. This is due to the fact that the horse is being kept in a pasture, and the only person caring for it is its owner. When a horse is boarding in a stall, the price is much more expensive. Typically, stable hands will care for the horse on a regular basis. For example, the horses would be fed at their scheduled times, their stalls and water buckets will be cleaned daily, and they will be turned in and out of their stalls to be given exercise for the day. Therefore, due to the extensive care a horse receives while boarding a stall, the amount paid per month increases.

Grooming

Every horse owner needs a grooming kit. Grooming kits should contain brushes, curry combs, and hoof picks at the minimum. Each tool not only promotes physical health, but also enhances the horses beauty. Brushes and curry combs come in a variety of styles. The image below shows nine types of horse grooming supplies [16]. The names of these tools are: 1. Harhd brush. 2. Sponges. 3. Comb. 4. Hoof oil 5. Soft brush. 6. Towel 7. Cactus cloth. 8. Hoof pick. 9. Curry comb.

Curry CombsCurry combs are the first grooming tool used. They are applied to the horses body in a circular motion. Curry combs are great for scrubbing off caked mud on a horses body, and they stimulate a horses muscles and skin [17]. There are two types of curry combs, plastic and rubber. There uses are described below:I. PlasticHorses like to roll in the dirt or mud to either keep cool or scratch an itch they cant reach. Curry combs made of plastic are great for removing caked mud on a horse. They are made up of tiny plastic teeth that pull apart mud and lift it from the horses coat. Plastic curry combs are also useful cleaning off brushes that have dirt or hair stuck in between the bristles. Plastic curry combs shouldnt be used in sensitive areas such as in the face or tendons. II. RubberFor horses who are more sensitive, a rubber comb is a better choice. It functions the same as a plastic curry comb in the way that it removes dirt from the horses coat. Warning: Do not use metal curry combs to groom your horse. They are too rough for your horse and can cut your horses skin.

BrushesBrushes are distinguished by the stiffness of their bristles: hard, medium, or soft. When brushing your horse, use quick flicking motions in the direction of hair growth. The quick motions pick up the dirt left behind by the curry comb and dust it off the horses coats. Below are the descriptions of each kind of brush.I. HardHard brushes are used to remove caked dirt on a horses coat or to brush off top layer of dirt or hair. Typically used after the curry comb.II. MediumFor horses that are more sensitive, a medium brush can be used in place of a hard brush. III. SoftWhen grooming, soft brushes are often used in conjunction with curry combs. They help remove the smaller particles that come to the surface while using the curry comb. The soft brush can be used on all parts of the horses body.

Hoof PicksHoof picks are named after what they are used for, to pick hooves. Although, some horses wear shoes, known as horseshoes, they do not keep dirt, rocks, snow, and other harmful substances from getting packed in the horses hoof. Substances get packed into the frog of the hoof, as well as the sole (shown in the diagram to the left [18]). Surprisingly, a horses foot will remain cleaner when it does not wear a horseshoe. A horses hooves should be picked on a daily basis. To pick a horse foot, stand by the horses side and run your hand down the length of the horses tendon and squeeze. Instinctively, the horse will lift its leg, which will allow access to the hoof. When picking a horses foot, be sure to point the hoof pick in the direction going away from the horse. In other words, pick towards the ground instead of towards the horses body. Inability to clean your horses hooves can lead to complications. A common problem that can arise in your horse is a condition known as thrush. Thrush is a fungal infection that causes rotting of the horses frog [19]. Thrush can easily be identified from the foul odor that is produced. Daily cleaning and keeping your horses hooves dry can prevent thrush from occurring. Daily hoof picking can also keep you aware of your horses hoof condition. For example, a horse could step on a nail or stone, which could injure the horse and cause lameness. In this case, a veterinarian must be called. Missing shoes or bent horse shoe nails could also occur, in these cases a farrier should be called.

Other Grooming SuppliesThere are several other supplies used in horse grooming. These tools include, sponges, combs, hoof oil, cactus cloths and towels can also be used for grooming.I. SpongesThe eyes and nose of the horse cannot be cleaned using a curry comb or brush. Instead, a wet sponge can be used. Small sponges can be used on the face to clean up mucus or dirt caught in your horses nostrils or around its eyes. Large sponges can be used for bathing, where equine shampoo and conditioner can be rubbed into the horses body with the sponge.II. CombsOne of the key characteristics of a horse is its mane and tail. In order to maintain a tangle free mane and tail, a comb is required. Combs can also be used to remove burrs from a horses mane and tail. In some cases, a horses hair may be too tangled. For this, an equine mane and tail conditioner can be applied to the hair. With the conditioner lathered in, you will be able to comb through the tangles much easier. After combing, the conditioner can be washed out, leaving your horses hair soft and shiny.III. Hoof Oil The use of hoof oil is not common. It is designed to provide a remedy for cracked hooves, but in reality it has no added benefits, and prolonged use isnt healthy for the horse [20]. If problems arise in the hoof, call your farrier instead of using hoof oil. IV. Cactus ClothDuring the warmer seasons, horses who are being worked out intensely will sweat profusely. It is important that sweat is cleaned off of a horses body after a workout, as sweat can irritate the horse.Sweat scrapers are also a great way to remove sweat on horses. These tools are run along the horses body, in the direction of hair growth, and the sweat peels off of the horses body.V. TowelsAfter bathing, towels can be used to help dry horses off. Towels are usually used during the spring and fall to rid the horse of heavy amounts of water before being turned out. Excessive water on the coats can cause the body temperature of the horse to drop, especially in cooler seasons.

Equine Maintenance

Horses should have visits from their veterinarian and farriers on a regular basis. In order to increase the chances of longevity in your horse, these visits are necessary. Veterinarians and farriers each have their own abilities in horse care, but veterinarians are much more knowledgeable when it comes to caring for horses. If any concerns or emergencies arise, it is best to call your horsess veterinarian. VeterinarianAs with any domesticated animal, veterinarians are essential to a horses health. Equine veterinarians specialize in horse care. Their abilities range from giving vaccinations to performing surgery. In most cases, equine veterinarians come to the horse as opposed to owner having to bring the horse to them. Healthy horses get a visit from the veterinarian once or twice a year. These visits are check-ups. During these check-ups physical examination of the horse occurs, as well as, bi-annual or annual vaccination, such as tetanus and equine flu shots, are given. A veterinarian will also check a horses teeth. Horses teeth are prone to wear and tear. Their teeth continue to grow to replace worn down areas of the teeth [21]. Worn down teeth can become sharp, and they are required to be shaved down to prevent discomfort. This process called floating. A veterinarian will also map out a de-worming program for your horse. De-worming is important for your horse, because the parasites that live inside your horse can cause health concerns and even death.A record of your horses vaccinations, de-worming, shoeing, and other vital information can be kept in an equine maintenance record binder like the picture on the right [22]. It is also important to have this binder in case of emergencies. If your horse is in need of medical and your regular veterinarian cannot make it out, your replacement veterinarian will need to know the history of your horses health. Your binder will give the veterinarian all the information he or she needs.

FarrierMuch like human nails, a horse hooves continuously grow. As a horses hoof grows, complications can arise if they are not trimmed. A few of these complications are loss of a horseshoe, cracked hooves, and strained tendons. Farriers specialize in the upkeep of hooves. On average, a horse must be visited by a farrier every 6-8 weeks [23]. During this visit, horses will have their hooves trimmed and their horseshoes replaced (if necessary). Farriers can also check for injuries in the foot. Since farriers have extensive knowledge on the anatomy of the hoof, they are able to check for troubled spots. A hoof tester (shown on the left [24]) can be used by the farrier to check for issues in the hoof [25].

Common Concerns that Require a Veternarian or FarrierI. ColicAn impaction in the digestive tract, known as colic, is a common concern in horses. It is a painful experience that can be fatal if not treated properly. Colic can be caused be several factors. Parasites, pregnancy, transporting, crib-biting and previous episodes of colic can increase a horses chance of colic [26], but the most common cause of a colic in a horse is feeding. What and when a horse eats can dictate whether or not the horse will develop colic. After heavy exercise is it important that a horse does immediately eat or drink, as this can lead to colic. Consumption of mowed grass or sand can also lead to colic, due the horses inability to properly digest cut grass and sand [27]. Common signs of colic include: nipping at the stomach, rolling onto back, sitting on hind end, sweating, and no interest in eating. The photo above shows a horse suffering from colic [28].II. LamenessThere are several contributors to lameness in a horse. Hoof punctures from nails or stones, abscesses in the hoof, and laminitis are a few common causes to lameness. Each of these issues require immediate veterinarian attention. A punctured hoof can be painful, and without proper treatment can lead to infection, which ultimately results in lameness. Abscesses in the hoof occur from infections in the hoof, which could have been caused by a punctured hoof. White blood cells build up to fight the infection [29]. In an effort to isolate the infection, dead white blood cells get trapped and die off. The trapped white blood cells causes an abscess to form. Abscesses are painful and horses are considered lame when they develop one. Laminitis is the inflammation of the horses hoof. Symptoms of laminitis include fever (heat) in the hoof, reluctance to move, and sticking front legs out in front of them [30]. As the laminitis progresses the bone inside the hoof begins to separate from the hoof itself [31]. The separated bone will start to grow downwards (as shown in the image to the left [32]), and eventually grow through the sole of the hoof. This is known as chronic laminitis or founder.Any symptoms relating to laminitis should raise a red flag, and you should call your veterinarian immediately. III. InjuriesA horse will come across some form of an injury during their lifetime. Tendon and joint injuries require care from a veterinarian. These injuries can occur during exercise, rough-housing between horses in pastures, or inside stalls.An example of an injury that can occur is a laceration in the tendon. Deep cuts located in in a tendon are required to be checked by a veterinarian immediately. Though these cuts arent life-threatening, they can lead to infections if not properly bandaged [33]. Veterinarians will determine whether or not the cut should be stitched or bandaged up, and whether or not medications should be given.

A rule of a thumb for calling the vet: When specific symptoms that mean a disease, i.e. coughing or nasal discharge, coincide with nonspecific symptoms, i.e. colic or loss of appetite, a veterinarian should be called to exam your horse [34].

Exercise

To promote a horses health and performance, exercise is an important aspect of their weekly routine. Horses who are not exercised regularly can become ill or irritable [35]. Horses must exercise at a minimum of three days and a maximum of six days a week. These workouts should be thirty minutes to an hour and half long, depending on the intensity of the workout is. There are three ways a horse can be exercised: pastures, ground-work, and riding.

PasturesNaturally, horses will get exercise from walking, running, and playing in their pastures. If there are multiple horses in a pasture, they will tend to herd. Herds will travel with one another. When feeling playful, they will race or chase one another around the field. Horses can also play with toys, such as balls, while in their pastures.

Ground-workIf you are not interested in riding your horse, or you are physically unable to, you can exercise your horse through groundwork. You can take your horse on a walk using a lead rope for about half an hour [36]. If you want your horse to have a more intense workout, you can lunge your horse. Lunging is form of ground-work in which you train your horse without having to ride it. If you have not lunged a horse before, it is important that you have a professional show you how. You can cause harm to your horse if you are inexperienced in lunging.

RidingHorseback riding has been around for hundreds of years. It is a considered a sport, and many competitions take place throughout the year all around the world. In present day there are two styles of riding, English and Western. The main difference between the two forms in the contact with the horses mouth [37]. In English riding, riders are in direct contact with their horses mouth, while Western riders rarely have contact with their horses mouth. If you have not ridden a horse before, you can take riding lessons at stables near you. Check your local stables if you are interested in learning to ride.

Conclusion

It is highly advised that deep consideration goes into deciding whether or not a horse is right for you. Horse care is a huge responsibility to take on. There are a plethora factors that go into caring for a horse. Proper nutrition, adequate living space, physical maintenance, healthcare, and exercise all make up the to-do-list for horse care. Failing to keep up with one of these factors can cause your horse to become ill. If possible, see if the local stables around you are offering leases on horses. Leasing can give you an idea of how to take care of a horse, without the horse being your responsibility. After leasing, you can decide whether or not a horse is right for you.

Reference List

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