Owning a horse is a big responsibility that comes with a commitment of time, energy, finances and resources. It can also be an extremely rewarding and exciting experience, especially when it’s done well. In this series we review 20 of the basic requirements for owning and caring for an adult horse in the Pacific Northwest. You can use this checklist to review your current horse management program or to assist you in determining if you are ready to begin on the horse ownership adventure. Keep in mind that you should always consult your veterinarian on the health care program best for your horses or if you have problems or questions. The last in this series will include resource information for new horse owners.
1) Strong, tight fencing. Barbed wire or field fencing should not be used with horses, especially for confinement areas or small paddocks. Barbed wire was developed for cattle which have thick skins and react differently when caught in a fence. Field fencing has a poor visibility and horses can easily get a foot caught through the large holes. Whatever fencing you choose, reinforce it with a strand of hot wire along the inside (chest height on the horse). This will provide a psychological barrier for the horse that they are likely to respect. Any type of wire should be tight and frequently checked for loosening. Make a habit of walking your fence lines regularly and inspecting them for problems such as loose rails or protruding nails.
2) Shelter. A horse needs shelter and protection from the heat, driving rain and severe cold. During the winter months horses should have a place where they can be out of the mud and wet for at least half the day. This can be as simple as a good tree in a pasture or a three-sided shed closed on the side of prevailing winds. A three-sided run-in shed with a field or large paddock are excellent and may be the most natural for a horse. Stall size for a horse should be 12'x12' and 10'x10' for a small horse or pony. Flooring should be dry and level -- rubber mats on top of 6 inches of gravel are excellent and reduce the amount of shavings needed. Packed clay will work but will erode and get uneven after a time. Concrete and wood are slick and hard and should not be used as flooring for horse stalls. Walls should be strong, smooth, free of projections and at least 7 feet high. A foot of space between the top of the wall and the ceiling will allow for air movement and good ventilation. Also, walls should extend to the ground so that a horse cannot get its legs caught under them.
3) Clean pastures. Inspect your pastures regularly to make sure there are no sharp objects that horses can be hurt on. Equipment and other implements should not be stored in horse areas. Watering and feeding containers should be free of rusty edges and sharp corners. Be sure your pastures are free of poisonous plants. For more information on pasture management and plants toxic to livestock check out the Horses for Clean Water website at www.horsesforcleanwater or your local Conservation District, county Cooperative Extension or Agriculture Canada office.
4) A clean, dry place to eat. The preferable location for a horse to be fed is in a clean, well-ventilated stall or shelter. It is most natural for a horse to eat with its head lowered -- this helps clear the respiratory system. Never feed in mud -- feeding on sand or muddy ground leads to ingestion of dirt and serious digestion problems. Good feeding options for hay and grain include flat, open grain pans or boxes, rubber mats, upside down carpet, or firm, dry sod.
Next month we consider more on feeding and health care needs. Until then, good horse keeping to you!
Join HCW at these upcoming events & check out the website, www.HorsesforCleanWater.com, for new classes added regularly:
IN FEBRUARY:
PRESTON, WA
Workshops for Livestock Owners Hands-on workshops on livestock management practices. See a variety of options & work with technicians to discover ways you can have less mud, better pastures & manage manure. Preston, WA. Thursday evenings 6:30-9pm, February 16th to March 9th. FREE! To register or for more information contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581, ext. 120.
PRESTON, WA
The Good, The Bad & The Bugly Join WSU Extension entomologist Todd Murray for an entertaining & educational look at the critters that bug us on our livestock farms. Learn about beneficial insects, such as the ones in the composting process, as well as the problem ones that bite us & our animals as well as the creepy, crawlies. Find out who’s friend & who’s foe, cut back on pesticide use & beef up your manure management plans! Preston, WA. Tuesday, February 28th, 6:30-9pm. FREE! To register and receive a map contact the King Conservation District at 425-277-5581, ext. 125 or Roseanne.Campagna@kingcd.org.
IN MARCH:
BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA
Horse’n Around in Clark County Join Horses for Clean Water & the Clark Conservation District on Saturday, March 18th from 9am to 4:30pm for a full day’s workshop on mud, manure & pasture management options. Learn great ways to reduce mud, compost manure, grow more grass -- all while making your place more productive, healthier for your horse & more chore efficient for you! Clark Conservation District office, Brush Prairie, WA. Cost TBD. To register or for more information call 360-883-1987.
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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