Equine Management

AnS 216

Basic requirements of a horse

Food Water Shelter Health care Hoof care Exercise

Nutrition

Requirements may change Temperature (season) Type of use / activity Age

Feeding Plan Roughage source Concentrate feed Trace mineral salt block

Water

Available all the time Average consumption

10-12 gallons / day Majority of drinking

done at feeding time Snow does not

substitute for water Clean water troughs /

buckets Warm water in winter

Horses housed outdoors

Adequate space

Outdoor facilities should have good drainage

Waste management Water troughs Safety of horses

Outdoor pen 12 ft x 12 ft

Pasture turnout 0.1 acre / horse

Paddock 500 sq ft / horse

Fencing Considerations

Sturdy & durable Safety Height requirement Maintenance Cost

Types Wire Wooden board Post & rail Electric fencing High Tensile wire PVC

Shelter

Protection from environment Cold, rain wind, sun

Wind break Open front shed

100 sq ft / horse Location important Open side face

away from prevailing wind

Width vs. depth

Stall housing

Ventilation Adequate

lighting Safety Watering

device Feeding area

Stall housing

Stall housing

Size requirements

Minimum size 10 ft x 10 ft

Preferred size 12 ft x 12 ft

Stallion stall 14 ft x 14 ft

Foaling stall 16 ft x 16 ft

Bedding

Protects feet & legs Absorb moisture from

waste Requirements

Dust free Absorbent Readily available Easy to dispose of Affordable

Bedding Straw

High comfort Little dust Highly combustible High labor Large volume of waste

Wood shavings More easily disposed Less labor More dust More expensive Careful of black walnut

Waste Management 37 lbs feces / day 2.4 gallons urine /

day 51 lbs waste / day 70 lbs waste / day

(including soiled bedding)

12-13 tons of waste / year for 1 horse!

Waste Management

Manure storage

Spread manure

Compost Manure

disposal

Health Care

Know what is normal for your horse Regular vaccinations

Geographical location Type of use / activity Age

Regular deworming Rotational program Awareness of parasite life cycles

Annual dental exam

Health Care

First aid kit Know your

veterinarian’s phone number

Quarantine stall New horses Sick horses

Hoof care

Trim every 6-8 weeks

Shoes Work Therapeutic

Know your farrier’s phone number

Exercise

Pasture Will obtain exercise

himself Stall

Requires exercise

Costs of maintaining a horse

Initial costs Horse Equipment

Board / pasture rent Feed Bedding

Costs of maintaining a horse

Veterinary care Farrier Vaccinations Dewormer Riding lessons / training Estimated cost - $2458.50

(HIH 120-5)

Costs of maintaining a horse

Other Costs?