Equine Management - Stable and Housing; Animal Bahavior and Restraint

Stable and Housing; Animal Bahavior and Restraint

Stable

A ________is a building in which a livestock, especially horses, are kept.

American - style barn

There are many different types of stable in use today; the ___________, is a large barn with a door at each end and individual doors stalls inside or free standing stables with top and bottom - opening doors.

Traditional stable yard

A ________________ is usually built in an L or U shape, or as a straight run of stables depending on the number of loose boxes. * The central yard space can also be enclosed, providing a good space for grooming, tacking up and other tasks, while still allowing horses to be the company of one another.

Stable Size

As a guideline, all horses should have enough space to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. The British Horse Society recommends the following stable sizes

Large horses

(17hh+) - 3.65m x 4.25m (12ft x 14ft)

Horses

3.65m x 3.65m (12ft x 12ft)

Large ponies

(13.2hh+) - 3.05m x 3.65m (10ft x 12ft)

Ponies

3.05m x 3.05m (10ft x 10ft)

Foaling box for horses

4.25m x 4.25m (14ft x 14ft)

Wood

is a popular choice as it's more affordable, easier to work with than other materials, and is naturally insulating in winter.

Brick

or stone stables are durable against bad weather and last longer with good maintenance. During the summer, brick and stone stables are also cooler.

Good ventilation

is essential to ensure horses have fresh ai, free from dust and spores. A stuffy stable environment can lead to respiratory infections and other health problems.

The roof should be between 9 and 11 ft high, with horse having a minimum of 3 ft of room above their head. Optimum roof height allows warm air to rise and escape, which is then replaced with fresh air.

Electric lighting

both indoors and outside - is also essential, especially during darker winter months, as it creates a safer environment for both you and your horse.

LED lighting

is suitable for stable use as they do not heat up like other bulbs, reducing the risk of fire.

Concrete

is durable and will withstand lots of activity over time. It's also easy to clean and can be easily swept, washed and disinfected when needed.

Traditional stable bricks

provide an anti-slip surface. But this type of flooring can be uneven, and more difficult to keep clean.

Rubber matting

is both comfortable and a good shock absorber, reducing the stress on your horse's joints when standing in their stable.

SITE

• Choose a well drained site, not subject to flooding

Use high ground if possible

Determine the best shelter direction

Convenient to fodder, waste storage and other facilities.

Equine Characteristics

- Prey animals

- Grazers

- Fight or fight reaction is prominent

- Equids "spooked" easily

Monofocal and biofocal vision

- Blind spots

- Directly in front

- Directly behind

Normal Equine Behavior

- Herd animals

- Group together

- Follow herd leader

- Anxious when isolated from herd

- Mothers will protect young

- Avoid separating mare-foal pairs

Body Language

- Both ears back

- Angry, threatened, warning

- Ears slightly back or forward

- Listening

- Attentive

Body Language

- Tail Swishing

- Agitated

Flight Zone

- Animal's personal space

- Indicator or possible threat

- Size determined by

- Tameness

- Degree of excitement

- Animal moves away from things in the flight zone

Herding & Moving Equine

- Statter by sudden movements and loud noises

- Avoid - Abuse

- Loud noises, yelling

- isolating animals

- Distractions

- Use slow movements

- Easily dominated by humans

Capture & Containment

- Tame horses

- Used to humans

- Easily penned

- Wild horses

- Other horses should be used in containment

- Avoid running them

Capture & Containment

- Use food to entice them

- Be alert of surroundings

- Makeshift corrals can be used

- Wire fencing should be avoided

Special Considerations

- Monitor in conditions of high heat or extreme cold

- Farrier needs /horseshoer or an equine blacksmith)

- Winter weather requires special equipment Heaters or wind break

- Grity, non-slip substances

- Blankets

Safety

O Avoid injuries from equine

O Kicks

O Striking

O Rearing

O Biting

O Can inflict injuries with head

O Will run over you if desperate