Horse care

Responsibilities of Horse Purchase

Owning a horse or donkey is a huge responsibility. It means hard work and dirty chores for a long time and it also means quite a considerable expense.

It is very important for the prospective horse owner to understand that the initial purchase of a horse is only the first step in your new experience with horses. You will have to consider whether the horse will be kept in paddock, or whether it must be stabled. You need to discuss feeding costs with a reputable Fodder Store. Paddocked horses may need some supplementary feed when grass becomes eaten down, and stabled horses will need to be fed continuously on purchased feed.

Basic necessities for your horse, will include a bridle, saddle, saddle blanket, rug, halter and lead rope, grooming brush, hoof pick, feed tin and water container. You will be wise to enquire about these costs first as they can be very expensive items unless you take time and care in their selection. Remember, a safe storage area for your equipment has to be provided somewhere when it is not being used on the horse.

Your own riding outfit has to be purchased as well and this MUST include a suitable hard hat and good quality riding boots. There will also be fees for shoeing and there is the chance you many have to seek veterinary attention for your horse's teeth, worm control, coughs and colds, and for vaccinations against diseases such as strangles and tetanus. Horses kept in paddocks may also be prone to cuts and scratches etc and in some cases you may need to call in the vet.

Choosing a Horse

Buy your horse from a reputable source. Beware of purchasing a horse from markets, dealers or persons who cannot provide a satisfactory history of the animal. Make sure the vendor knows for what purpose you wish to use the horse. It is important that you and your horse are well matched so great care and no haste should be employed in its selection:

Find out all about it; age, background, vices etc.

Have a vet examine the horse for fitness and suitability prior to purchase

Make sure you ride the horse prior to buying

The common law maxim ‘caveat emptor' (Let the buyer beware) simply means that the new owner must bear the responsibility for a faulty animal purchased.

Although the South Australian Office of Fair Trading may be able to resolve a dispute where a faulty horse has been purchased, it is far better to avoid the problem by taking care and precaution in selection.

Read all you can about Local Government requirements and problems that may be encountered by horses in the area you have chosen to keep a horse. Check the cost of professional visits, especially for vaccinations, worming, dental care, and general medical treatment. Veterinary care can often be costly. You will also need to check local Council by-laws with regard to the keeping and stabling of horses.

Responsibilities of Horse Ownership

All horses have certain basic needs irrespective of the husbandry system under which they are kept.

• Readily accessible food and fresh water to maintain health and vigour.
• Freedom of movement to stand, stretch and lie down
• Regular exercise
• Social contact with other horses and people
• Accommodation that neither harms nor causes undue strain and provides adequate protection
• Protection from disease and regular inspection to assess the need for attention to feet, teeth and worm control
• Rapid identification and treatment of vice, injury and disease

The Law

The South Australian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act proclaims the following offences which horse owners should know about; abandoning a horse; conveying a horse in circumstances involving unnecessary pain and suffering to the animal; failure to provide food, water and shelter for a horse; failure to provide veterinary attention for a sick or injured horse; wounding, mutilating, torturing, overriding, overdriving or terrifying a horse; working, riding, driving or using a horse when it is unfit for the purpose. Where the act of cruelty results in the death, deformity or serious disablement of the horse, extra penalties may be imposed.

If you suspect cruelty to an animal inform the RSPCA immediately.

Care for your Horse

The paddock should have some natural or man made shelter, good grass cover and adequate drainage. Remember to check with local council for regulations on keeping of keeping of horses. Some councils require a permit for keeping horses unless you have 7 acres per horse.

The paddock should be:

• Properly fenced (not barbed wire) and free from all rubbish and debris; especially old wire and iron.
• Kept free of droppings to discourage flies and aid worm control
• Suitable for catching and working the horse

Shelter

– Horses need shelter from heat, wind and rain. Natural shelter such as a belt of trees or a hedge is good. A shed or stable may either supplement or substitute natural shelter. Old horses need special care and should have a waterproof rug in cold weather in addition to other protection from the elements.

Water

– Horses drink a lot of water so must have access to a constant supply of fresh, clean water available from ground level container. Horses may drink 25 – 45 litres of water per day in hot weather.

Feeding

– Good quality grass is the best and most natural feed but when it dries up hay and hard feed such as chaff, pellets and special prepared horse mixes must be provided. Failure to do so will result in malnutrition and rapid loss of condition. Never feed mouldy hay or feed as this can have serious effects on your horse, always provide good quality clean food.

Your horse should be fed to maintain body condition and should not be allowed to get too fat or too thin. When good pasture is available and the horse is not ridden regularly, there is probably no need for supplementary feeding. When pasture declines supplementary feeding will be required to maintain body weight.

Good quality lucerne or legume/grass hay is adequate for adult horses which are idle or ridden infrequently. Feed grass, hay or chaff at the rate of 1kg per 100kg bodyweight daily. Young growing animals, lactating mares and hard working horses require more energy. This usually has to be supplied by feeding concentrate supplements such as grain or complete pellet.

Feet

- Every time a horse is handled, its feet should be inspected for damage or soreness, and particularly for stones or glass embedded in the frog. If the animal is shod a check must be made for stones between the shoe and frog. A hoof pick should be used to clean the feet. Horses to be ridden on roads, rough ground or to be given heavy work should be reshod every 5 or 6 weeks. Horses in sandy paddocks should have their feet trimmed every 6-8 weeks to prevent sand cracks that may lead to infection under the sole.

Diseases, Illnesses and Treatment

Prevention is better than cure. Know your vet and call him immediately if any signs of illness in the horse are detected. Some common signs:-

Colic

– Pain in the belly may occur any time and signs are unmistakeable; general uneasiness, no interest in food, restless, looking around the flanks, kicking at the belly, getting up and down and rolling.

Colic in horses is most often caused by a severe worm infestation, however, other causes can be feeding irregularities, sudden diet changes, chronic indigestion or the ingestion of sand.

Colic can also be caused by allowing the horse to drink while it is hot. After riding, take the saddle off and lead the horse around until it has cooled down, then allow a small drink only and another about 5 minutes later. A horse with colic is an emergency and you should contact your veterinary surgeon immediately. While waiting for the vet to arrive keep the horse warm and walk it slowly.

Strangles

– Contagious, mainly in young horses. High temperature, profuse thick nasal catarrh with abscess formation in the jaw region. The horse will be distressed, off its feed, and find swallowing difficult as the whole throat area will be enlarged and tense. Isolate and call the vet. A proper vaccination program will protect your horse against strangles.

Tetanus

- Due to a wound such as a puncture in the foot. Immediate and drastic treatment is essential to save the horse. A proper vaccination program will protect your horse against tetanus.

Worms

– De-worming is essential as worms unchecked will destroy the horse. The red worm destroys bowel function leading to scouring and emaciation; to prevent this, tube drench twice a year and use the paste every 6-8 weeks. Ask you vet to provide a regular worming guide.

Greasy/Cracked Heels

– Chapping of the skin behind the pastern results from exposure to wet conditions or neglect following washing of the legs and can cause some lameness.

Laminitis

– sudden intensely painful inflammation of the sensitive structures which line the inside of the wall of the foot. Caused by excessive feeding and or fast trotting on hard roads.

Teeth

– Horses should have their teeth checked once a year, particularly after reaching the age of four. Dental defects can cause loss of condition because the horse won't eat with pain, or chew food properly. Often a horse with bad teeth allows food to drop from the mouth while eating.

Lameness

– Never ride a lame horse. Dismount immediately and check that there is nothing stuck in the hoof. Call your veterinarian if lameness continues.

Gelding

– The RSPCA recommends that horses are not kept as stallions. Geldings make better and more controllable companions.

Mares and Foals

– Mares in foal and while suckling need special care and extra feed. Calcium and other special additives to build strong bones are essential. A healthy foal will depend upon special veterinary care being given to the mare. Before breeding think whether you can afford the money, have you adequate space and facilities or the time necessary.

If you provide clean water, proper food, good shelter, freedom from parasites, regular treatment and vet checks, proper exercise and affection, your horse will be happy and responsive and will give you many years of pleasure and loyalty.

IF IN DOUBT ABOUT YOUR HORSE'S HEALTH YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN.

If you would like further information about looking after horses, the RSPCA sells a book called ‘What your Horse Needs' for $7.95. Please call 8212 6871 for more information.