Post by Sapphire Vendermarwe on Aug 20, 2015 22:05:26 GMT
Genus Equus Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Equines
A suitable environment for equines
Things you should do
- Make sure that where your equines lives is secure and free from hazards, this includes ensuring fences are in good condition and escape-proof.
- Equines need large amounts of exercise to remain healthy. All horses should have access to a paddock where they can exercise every day, in the company of other horses, for as long as possible.
- When out in a paddock, equines must have access to shelter from sun, wind and extremes of weather or temperature. They must have dry areas to stand and lie down on; living in cold,wet or muddy conditions can lead to discomfort or illness.
- Equines can become ill or show abnormal behaviour if it is confined to a stable for long periods of time. If your equine is stabled, ensure all areas of your equines environment are well ventilated, clean and draught-free.
- Stabled equines are more likely to be exposed to germs, toxic dust and fumes. They need good quality, dust-free bedding to lie upon. Ensure bedding is kept clean.
- Have a plan to deal with emergencies such as fire in buildings and flooding of land or buildings.
- Transport can be stressful for equines. When you transport your horse, make sure it is comfortable and safe at all times.
- Ensure the size and temperature of any place you leave your horse (including a trailer or horsebox) is appropriate.
- Equines must have continuous access to fresh clean water.
- Equines should be provided with as much opportunity to graze as possible. Twenty-four hour access is ideal. Without it they can develop disorders of the gut and stomach ulcers.
- Not all pasture provide adequate nutrition and many will be too high in calories. Equines may still need additional hard feed and forage to maintain their appropriate bodyweight, particularly between late autumn and early spring.
- Equines fed diets low in forage and high in concentrates (hard feeds such as cubes or grains) are at risk of digestive problems. Stabled horses should be given plenty of forage.
- Equines should be fed only good quality, mould and dust-free forage.
- Changes in your equines lifestyle, such as increased or reduced work, movement on and off pasture, pregnancy, lactation and ageing will require changes to your equines diet. An equine nutritionist or an equine vet can advise you.
- Rapid changes in diet can result in illness. Any changes to your equines diet must be introduced gradually, over a period of around two weeks.
- Equines must be fed only diets designed for equines. They must not be given lawn clippings or access to large amounts of fermentable foods such as apples as they can be fatally toxic.
- Equines should not become overweight. Equines and particularly ponies who are overweight are prone to developing laminitis, a very painful disorder of the feet. A common factor triggering laminitis is feeding on lush spring and autumn grass.
- Equines must be given the opportunity to run freely in a paddock as frequently as possible and for as long as possible, in the company of other equines.
- Take the time to learn how your equines learns so that you can train him humanely and effectively. Be careful to use training aids your horse understands and use them in a consistent manner.
- Equines can be trained using positive, reward-based methods. Do not shout at or punish your horse as fear of punishment can cause a equines to become aggressive or develop behaviour problems.
- Take time to learn how your equine normally behaves. If your horse starts exhibiting abnormal behaviour or its behaviour changes away from its normal behaviour, you should seek immediate advice from an equine specialist vet as they could be ill or suffering.
soz for inactivity, been really busy with Uni Assignments xD