Farm Outdoor Portable Horse Hinged horse stall doors in black coating

Farm Outdoor Portable Horse Hinged horse stall doors in black coating

Not all horses have the same ability to withstand cold winter conditions. Lighter horse breeds or breeds that are not selected for cold conditions are less hardy than for example the Islandic horse or certain pony breeds, such as Shetland ponies or Exmoor ponies. All horses that are kept un-stabled around the clock in cold conditions during winter months should be prepared for this. They should have developed a thick coat and be in a very good bodily condition.

The hardy breeds may, if the natural conditions give sufficient shelter, including a dry lying area, be kept without a purpose-built shelter. Other breeds should have access to a purpose-built shelter of a suitable design and size. Ill or injured horses should be taken care of in suitable accommodations. A purpose-built shelter should, as a guideline, have the same floor area as indicated above for group housing systems, and it should provide a dry lying area. The shelter should have two entrances.

Horses should be cared for by a sufficient number of persons, who possess the appropriate ability, knowledge and professional competence.

All horses, including those in paddocks and on pasture, should be inspected at least once a day. Ill or injured horses, mares in late pregnancy, newborn foals, newly introduced horses, stallions during the mating season and very old horses should be inspected more often. Any horse who appears ill or injured should be given appropriate care without delay. If the horse does not respond to such care, or if it is in severe pain, veterinary advise should be obtained without delay. Where necessary ill or injures horses should be isolated in suitable accommodation. An adult healthy horse in a resting mode has a rectal temperature between 37.5 and 38.5, a pulse between 28 and 48 beats/minute and a respiratory rate between 12 and 20 breaths/minute, both depending on training condition.

Vaccination at least against tetanus is recommended. Horses are very susceptible to this disease, which is caused by a bacterium (Clostridium tetani). This bacterium is often found in the soil of horse premises. It enters the body through wounds, including small penetrating wounds, which may be difficult to detect, or through the navel in newborn foals. Even though affected horses may survive especially, if the disease is diagnosed in an early phase, they often have to be euthanized for welfare reasons.

Vaccination against influenza and tetanus is mandatory for horses taking part in most competitions, but vaccination should also be considered for other horses, especially those that have regular contact to horses from other premises. Vaccination against other diseases may also be advisable depending of the geographical location of the horse. Advice on this should be sought from a veterinarian. Intestinal parasites can be a welfare problem causing weight loss, colic and even deaths. This is especially the case for foals and young horses, and for horses kept in permanent paddocks, where manure is not removed regularly. A monitoring and deworming program should be established. Appropriate pasture or paddock management practice may help reduce the parasitic burden.

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