Equine Science –Equine Science –Horse Care and Horse Care and ManagementManagementInto to AgricultureInto to Agriculture

Aspects of Horse Care:Aspects of Horse Care:

FeedingFeeding Hoof CareHoof Care Teeth CareTeeth Care Pasture Management Pasture Management Proper HandlingProper Handling Common health Common health

problemsproblems

Proper Feeding of HorsesProper Feeding of Horses

Horses are grazers – ideally they should have Horses are grazers – ideally they should have free choice roughages all the time! free choice roughages all the time!

However, highly managed horses usually do However, highly managed horses usually do not have this opportunity!not have this opportunity!

Stall kept horses should be fed AT LEAST Stall kept horses should be fed AT LEAST twice a day. twice a day.

They need both good quality hay and grain an They need both good quality hay and grain an free access to water. free access to water.

Horses can drink up to 12 gallons of water a Horses can drink up to 12 gallons of water a day!day!

How much to feed?How much to feed?

Stall kept horses should be fed about 2% of Stall kept horses should be fed about 2% of their body weight in hay a day!their body weight in hay a day!

The amount of grain depends on the horse’s The amount of grain depends on the horse’s amount of work and body scoring.amount of work and body scoring.

Amount of work:Amount of work: Maintenance Maintenance Light (some riding)Light (some riding) Moderate (showing and daily riding)Moderate (showing and daily riding) Heavy (racing)Heavy (racing)

Henneke Body Henneke Body Condition ScoreCondition Score

Measures amount of body Measures amount of body fatfat

Determines balance Determines balance between energy intake & between energy intake & expenditureexpenditure

Developed in 1983 by Dr. Developed in 1983 by Dr. Don HennekeDon Henneke

Simpler, repeatable, Simpler, repeatable, consistent methodconsistent method

Comparison between Comparison between animalsanimals

Score 1 - PoorScore 1 - Poor

Score 5 - ModerateScore 5 - Moderate Back is levelBack is level Ribs cannot be visually Ribs cannot be visually

distinguished, but can be distinguished, but can be easily felteasily felt

Fat around tailhead Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongybeginning to feel spongy

Withers appear roundedWithers appear rounded Shoulders & neck blend Shoulders & neck blend

smoothly into bodysmoothly into body

Score 8 – Extremely Score 8 – Extremely FatFat

Obvious crease down Obvious crease down backback

Patchy fat appearing Patchy fat appearing over ribsover ribs

Bulging fat around Bulging fat around tailhead, around withers, tailhead, around withers, behind shoulders, and behind shoulders, and along neckalong neck

Fat along inner buttocksFat along inner buttocks Flank filled and flushFlank filled and flush

Hoof CareHoof Care

FarrierFarrier: A person who shoes and cares for a : A person who shoes and cares for a horse’s feethorse’s feet

Horses must have their feet trimmed and/or re-Horses must have their feet trimmed and/or re-shod every 6-8 weeks. shod every 6-8 weeks.

Reasons for shoes:Reasons for shoes: Protection Protection TractionTraction PreventionPrevention

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0nYx4GC0Ik&NR=1v=Z0nYx4GC0Ik&NR=1

Types of ShoesTypes of Shoes

Horses are just like Horses are just like athletes, they have athletes, they have special shoes for special shoes for different jobs: different jobs:

Tooth CareTooth Care

Horse’s teeth are not like ours, their teeth Horse’s teeth are not like ours, their teeth are constantly growing and will sometime are constantly growing and will sometime grow sharp points that need to be grow sharp points that need to be removed. . removed. .

Horses need their teeth Horses need their teeth floatedfloated every every year. year.

Teeth Floating is done by a veterinarian Teeth Floating is done by a veterinarian or a horse dentist. or a horse dentist.

Teeth FloatingTeeth Floating

In this process, an electric file is used to In this process, an electric file is used to remove the sharp points. remove the sharp points.

If horse’s do not receive proper dental If horse’s do not receive proper dental care, it can lead to malnutrition problems. care, it can lead to malnutrition problems.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn1_RVJtuFcv=wn1_RVJtuFc

Pasture Management Pasture Management

Horses that are kept on pasture need Horses that are kept on pasture need management too. management too.

There should be NO more than ONE There should be NO more than ONE horse per ACRE of landhorse per ACRE of land! !

All horses, especially pasture horses All horses, especially pasture horses need to be de-wormed! need to be de-wormed!

Proper HandlingProper Handling

When working around horses, always When working around horses, always remember they weigh about 1,000 lbs more remember they weigh about 1,000 lbs more than we do and they can hurt you!than we do and they can hurt you!

There are two places horses cannot see: There are two places horses cannot see: Directly behind them Directly behind them Directly in front of themDirectly in front of them WHAT NOT TO DO:WHAT NOT TO DO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgdnZ1NEugQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgdnZ1NEugQ

Proper Handling Proper Handling

Always use a halter and a lead rope, and Always use a halter and a lead rope, and lead the horse from its LEFT side!lead the horse from its LEFT side!

If you must walk behind a horse:If you must walk behind a horse: Walk very far (out of kicking range) behind itWalk very far (out of kicking range) behind it Walk very close to it (if it does kick, you will Walk very close to it (if it does kick, you will

be pushed out of the way by its leg, rather be pushed out of the way by its leg, rather than kicked by the hoof)than kicked by the hoof)

Common Health ProblemsCommon Health Problems

Colic Colic – Horse’s, unlike humans, cannot – Horse’s, unlike humans, cannot throw-up. Colic is the term used for a throw-up. Colic is the term used for a horse having a belly ache .horse having a belly ache . Signs: Rolling, biting and belly, thrashing Signs: Rolling, biting and belly, thrashing

around the stallaround the stall What to do: Call a vet, Keep the horse What to do: Call a vet, Keep the horse

walking (to try to keep their bowels moving walking (to try to keep their bowels moving so the problem can pass) so the problem can pass)

Common Health ProblemsCommon Health Problems

LamenessLameness – many causes! – many causes! Signs: horse not wanting to walk Signs: horse not wanting to walk What to do: call a vet or equine professional to look What to do: call a vet or equine professional to look

for the causefor the cause A non lame horse is termed A non lame horse is termed soundsound

ThrushThrush – bacterial infection in the sole of the – bacterial infection in the sole of the hoof around the frog. hoof around the frog. Signs: Bad smell! Frog peeling offSigns: Bad smell! Frog peeling off What to do: apply antifungal medicineWhat to do: apply antifungal medicine

ReviewReview

I am going to give you a “class” of four I am going to give you a “class” of four horses. Please tell me the following horses. Please tell me the following about each one:about each one: ColorColor Leg and face markingsLeg and face markings Body Conditioning scoreBody Conditioning score

Horse #1Horse #1

Horse #2Horse #2

Horse #3Horse #3

Horse #4Horse #4