equine industry

adaptations of equines

• seasonal coats and reproductoion (spring and summer as warmer)

• trickle feeder (18 out of 24hrs)

• social species

• prey species - precocial

how have humans impacted horses

• solitary groupings causing isolation and stress

• high quality management - rugging, stabling

• multiple owners - stressful, geographical changes

• improved veterinary management means they live longer

3 breeding methods used in the uk

• natural cover - the only permitted method for breeding of thoroughbreds

• artificial insemination

• embryo transfer

problems with selective breeding

• inherited genetic disorders

• loss of genetic diversity

key roles in the equine industry

• farrier

• equine dental technician

• nutritionist

• groom

horse identification legislation

• since ocotber 2020 all horses must have a passport and a microchip

• they must accompany the animal for sale, slaughter for human consumption, vet treatment and travel

what are the equine identification regulations 2018

• all horses have to have a passport and a microchip

• owner mist ensure that a passport application is received by the passport issuing office 6 months from the birth or 30th november the year it is born (whichever is latest)

what has to be on a horse ID page

• age

• breed

• height

• body colour

• natural markings

• acquired markings

• microchip number

how can you tell by teeth how old a horse is

• the angle of the teeth gets larger the older the horse is

why is measuring a horse important

• competition class eligibility

• breed limits

where is a microchip placed in a horse

• left crest

how do horse passports dictate medication choices

• if not signed out of the food chain, date, drug and withdrawal must be entered and limited drugs allowed to be used

• phenylbutazone must not be used in food producing animals

difference between UK and EU perceived use of equines

• UK: for sport, lesiure animals or pets

• EU: default as food-producing animal

UK animal welfare act of burial (2006)

• companion animal - private prosecutions

• farm animal - local authority

different legislation acts

• farriers act (2017) - exceptions = emergency actions, vet surgeons or supervised vet students

• animal welfare regulations (2018) - license is required before anyone can let a horse, they require vet inspections

• docking and nicking of horses act (1949)

• welfare of animals (transport) (2006)

• control of horses act (2015)

disease control legislation

• equine viral arteritis order 1995

• african horse sickness regulations 2012

• equine infectious anaemia order 2006

conditions of the trasnport of equidae legislation

• horses cannot be travelled for more than 24 hours and must be given water and feed after 8 hours

• they require export/import certification

welfare issues affecting the equine industry

• social license

• equine welfare

• slaughter practises and transport to slaughter

• abandoment/neglect

• obesity

• training/compeititon practises

• disease

how did horses originally gain from being around humans

• feeding off of agricultural fields

• protection from predators

what benefit did the horse first give to the humans

• use their strength and speed as a mode of transport

• enabled people to travel to different resource rich areas and spread culture

what does the animal welfare act 2006 state for horse owners to ensure

• suitable enviornment to live in

• a healthy diet

• able to behave normally

• has appropriate company

• protected from pain, injury, suffering or disease

what are the 3 F’s of animal welfare

• friends - highly social species, live in herds, build social bonds and makes them feel safe

• forage - used to grazing for atleast 16hrs a day

• freedom - movement, choice food, friends, exercise

reasons for stabling horses

• controlled exercise/work programme

• insufficient land available for pasture housing

• horses being treated from illness/injury

• horses living in cold climates

• because humans like it

ideal conditions of stables

• comfortable

• ease of access

• adequate drainage

• adequate ventilation

• should be checked on twice daily

• adequate space - lie down, readily rise and turn around in comfort

• suitable bedding

minimum size requirement of stables

• horses = 12ft x 12ft

• pony = 10ft x 10ft

• foaling box = 14ft x 14ft

3 main types of stabling in the uk

• individual - not good for social aspect, good for respiratory diseases

• american barns - good for social, not good for respiratory disease

• loose/communal barns - good for social, not practical

pasture requirements (field)

• closest to natural state

• 1 acre per horse

• worm control (poo picking)

• maintain good drainage

• control weeds/toxic plants

• fencing

• shelter

3 poisonous plants

• ragwort - can result in fatal liver disease, will only eat it when its dead

• buttercups - can cause liver damage (less toxic)

• sycamore seeds/seedlings - can cause atypical myopathy (muscle breakdown)

3 types of fencing

• vinyl post and rail - most common on stud farms

• wooden post and rail

• electric fencing

rules about tethering

• securing an animal by a chain to a centre point causing it to be constrained to a desired area

• not suitable for long term management

• risk of horse becoming entangled

• supervised every 6 hours

is fly grazing illegal or legal in the UK

• illegal

4 key things to remember about horse health

• inspected twice a day

• hooves should be picked out daily

• regular grooming

• check under rugs daily

equine nutrition rules

• should always have access to clean/fresh water

• should have access to forage

• should feed from floor to prevent mucus blockage/ dust

• over feeding = obesity

• allow choice if possible

how to ensure the ‘friends’ compenent is met

• turnout with other horses

• ensure horse can see others from their stable/field

stereotypies to be aware of if something isnt right

• crib biting

• wind sucking

• weaving

• box walking

• chewing

prevention for poor mental health

• provide company

• minimize confinement

• stall toys and enrichment products

• provide forage ad lib

• windows

• companionship

when is flight and fight response activated

• response to danger/ percieved threat

• flight - primary response

• fight - flight not possible, maternal behaviour, aggressive stallion

signs of stress

• muscular tension

• nostril flare

• eye becomes oval

• ears mid way back

• fidget response - rubbing head/itching

• freeze response

when does weaning usually occur

• 4/6 months of age

what can overfeeding a foal result in

• development of orthopedic disease

what should you do pre weaning

• deworm and medications (vaccinations)

• creep feeding (after 4 months)

• what does traditional breaking in of horses look like

• rapidly introduced to equipment and rider

• allowed to buck and rear until exhaustion and become accustomed

• breaking flight response

• termed as ‘flooding’

breaking in from domesticated populations

• training is gradual

• foals handled from a young age - imprinting

yearling preparation process

• begins 8-10 weeks prior to sales

• get used to being handled, taught to walk up correctly

• exercise routine - gradually build up strength and muscle

• broken in - around 18 months

• fitness training

• racing by 2

methods of restraint

• head collar

• bridle

• stocks

• twitch

• sedation

• equine learning theory

how do horses learn

• trial and error

• great long term memory

• poor short term memory

forms of reinforcement

• pressure release - negative reinforcement, removal of negative stimulus

• treats/scratches - positive reinforcement, addition of something rewarding

what to monitor for ill health

• behaviour

• appetite

• water intake

• urination/ faeces

• coat

• body fat score

• temperature

• pulse

• respiration rate

management strategies to optimise health

• parasite control programme - poo picking

• vaccination programme - in horse passport (especially tetanus and equine flu)

• foot care - see farrier regularly and pay attention to growth and balance - every 4-8 weeks

• dental care - by a dental technician or vet, poor dental care can lead to colic, weight loss

• fly control in summer months -fly rugs/masks to prevent sweet itch - hypersensitivity to bites from midges, mainly affects mane and tails. bring in during dawn/dusk, shelter

• infectious disease control procedures - quarantine of new horses, isolation facilities