Recommended standards of basic horse care and management

Author: Umair Farzand
(DVM, UAF)

Equine population in Pakistan

Estimates suggest that there are 4.75 million equines in Pakistan include horses, donkeys and mules. Sharing a life with a horse can be a winning experience, but it includes the commitment of caring in good and harsh situations. With tremendous care, horse can live 35 years or more.

Horse can live up to 35 years or more

The minimum standards of equine (horse) care are as follows:

Water Availability

Ideally, horses must have access to a spotless source of water at least twice daily, but preferably constantly. Bath tubs, if used must be examined daily and re-filled if compulsory. Buckets are not acceptable as a permanent water supply as they can be toppled over.

Water adulteration with feces, poisonous material, dead animals are source of microbial or toxins adulterants which can danger the health of the horse. As a guide, a horse may drink 25-55 liter per day.

Feeding guidelines for horses

Horses must be fed an optimum diet to sustain adequate body weight or body condition. Nutritious diet is more valuable than bulky diet. Horses restricted without accessible pasture to graze must be fed twice daily. Horses on pasture may require to be supplemented with other nutritious feed at least once daily if the pasture grass is inadequate to maintain health and body condition. 

However, it is a misconception that horses need grain in their diets. These grazing animals are planned to extract all the energy and nutrition they require from forage, grain is just an additional. Grains should be smaller in size, if the horse eats fast or the grain size is too large, it passes through the foregut without being completely absorbed. As a guide, the amount of feed is 1-3 kg per 100 kg of body weight.

Minimum shelter requirements of a horse

Compulsory shelter may depend on the severity of the weather and current condition of the horse. Any kind of enclosure where a horse is primarily kept must be of adequate size to allow the horse to comfortably stand-up, lie down and turn around. Confined horses must have opportunity to area for daily exercise. Minimum ceiling height must be 1-2 foot above the horse head. Excessive urine, feces, mud, leftover and other waste products must not gather within the housing enclosure. 

Enclosures for keeping horses must be adequate size

Ventilation in enclosed area must be optimum to control more ambient temperature and inhibit the accumulation of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide and ammonia. In winter, waterproof rug can be used to save the horse from cold weather but must be examined daily to ensure it is not leaking and slipping.

Equine health care

Horses revealing sign of lameness, pain, suffering to thrive from any medical condition must gain veterinary related care within an appropriate time period. A horse is no better than his feet. Hoof care is a crucial practice in the basic care of all horses, it should occur on a regular basis. 

Normally foot growth in the adult horse is 3/8 inch per month. Accordingly, hoof trimming should perform every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain proper hoof balance. Removing the debris and dirt particle from hooves 2 times per week overcome the chances of hoof infection. Dental care is essential to maintain the grinding surface of the teeth to get rid of any sharp points developed over time on the outside of the upper molars or the inside of lower molars. The teeth should be examined yearly by an attending veterinarian. 

Health care procedures such as deworming and vaccination are crucial part of horse management. Horses should be groomed strictly twice per week.

Transportation of horses

Horses that become non-ambulatory, week and not able to bear weight on one or more legs must not be transported. Vehicles commonly used to transport horses should accommodate up to about 32 horses per load. 

The recommended ceiling height for any vehicle transporting horses up to 15-16 hands at the withers is 5.5 feet and 6.5 feet is essential between the floor and ceiling for horses that are 15-17 hands. Remember that horses that have not tamed to tie should not be tied during transport. 

Care must be taken regarding transportation of horses

Recommended that horses must not be transported constantly longer than 28 hours due to transportation stress, dehydration and fatigue. Water should be allowed to each horse at least every 5 hours. Free choice access to feed is often allowing during transport, if it is not possible then all horses should be fed at every 12 hours. Stress during transport should be minimize. 

In summer, Ventilation is essential to avoid build-up of heat inside the vehicle. In winter, blankets may be favorable in controlling thermal stress and they have potential to cause overheating.