Stable Management

Question 1

what are the main reasons to stable a horse?

Answer 1

protection from various dangers / weathers

to ease management issues and demands

Question 2

where have horses evolved to live?

Answer 2

outdoors

Question 3

how do horses find shelter?

Answer 3

using their coat
using the herd
using the landscape

Question 4

what are the difficulties associated with turnout of horses?

Answer 4

risk of injury

mud - skin issues, harder to clean, poaching fields

Question 5

according to studies how long do horses in the UK spend on average in the stable?

Answer 5

22 hours

Question 6

what impacts can stable design have on horse health and welfare?

Answer 6

potential for trauma from stable furniture
feed and bedding type can impact resp
stereotypies

Question 7

what is the usual size of a stall?

Answer 7

1.7m by 3.3m

Question 8

what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for horses?

Answer 8

12ftx12ft

Question 9

what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for ponies?

Answer 9

10ft x 10ft

Question 10

what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for foaling boxes?

Answer 10

14ft x 14ft

Question 11

what must there be sufficient space in the stable for a horse to do?

Answer 11

turn freely

Question 12

what may happen if the stable is too small?

Answer 12

injuries

risk of being cast increases

Question 13

what is the BHS minimum stable size recommendation for donkeys?

Answer 13

10ft x 10ft

Question 14

what companions should donkeys be kept with?

Answer 14

at least in pairs

Question 15

why do donkeys require covered space?

Answer 15

desert animals who do not have waterproof coats

Question 16

what space is needed for 2 average sized donkeys?

Answer 16

9 sq metres of covered space

Question 17

describe ideal positioning of the stable block

Answer 17

upwind or avoiding dust sources (e.g. grain stores/muck heap)
trees can provide shelter but be aware of leaves
south facing for sunlight in winter
shelter from prevailing wind
avoid steep slopes

Question 18

what is the ideal doorway width for stables?

Answer 18

1.2m by 2.4m

Question 19

what is the benefit of half doors on stables?

Answer 19

ventilation

Question 20

how can the stable be drained?

Answer 20

slight slope to floor
drainage grooves
keep drains clear

Question 21

where should hay nets be positioned?

Answer 21

in air outflow not inflow to reduce dust

Question 22

why should horses be fed from the floor?

Answer 22

stimulation of respiratory tract mucous drainage

pollens and dusts are left at floor level while horse lifts his head to chew

Question 23

what is the benefit of sunlight in stabling?

Answer 23

provides UV light which can help kill bacteria, viruses and fungi

Question 24

why may lighting be manipulated to increase daylight hours?

Answer 24

to bring mares into oestrus early in the season

Question 25

what is evidence of poor stable ventilation?

Answer 25

cobwebs

Question 26

are horses often hypothermic?

Answer 26

unlikely in a well fed, rugged individual

Question 27

where does most of the heat produced by a horse come from?

Answer 27

mid gut fermentation

Question 28

what may increase a horses external heat requirement?

Answer 28

if stabled as static | if clipped

Question 29

in what animals is generalised hypothermia most likely?

Answer 29

``` neonates young stock geriatric sick malnourished ```

Question 30

what type of hypothermia is more commonly seen in horses?

Answer 30

local or regional chilling of extremities (e.g. limbs or head)

Question 31

when is local chilling of limbs particularly significant?

Answer 31

before scintigraphy

Question 32

why will local chilling of limbs affect scintigraphy?

Answer 32

perfusion will be reduced which reduces distribution and so uptake of isotope

Question 33

how can local chilling of horses be prevented?

Answer 33

bandages and rugs

Question 34

what is the main role of bedding for horses?

Answer 34

cushioning and comfort as well as absorbent

Question 35

what does bedding choice depend on?

Answer 35

``` preference cost effectiveness local availability time maintaining type of horse dust levels ```

Question 36

what are the 2 main stable pollutants?

Answer 36

dust | ammonia

Question 37

why is dust a stable pollutant?

Answer 37

irritates | allergens (e.g. mould, pollen, mite excrement)

Question 38

how can you reduce dust in the stables?

Answer 38

use quality forage/bedding soaking forage muck out without the horse in the stable

Question 39

how is ammonia produced?

Answer 39

bacteria breakdown faeces / urine

Question 40

what are the issues with ammonia?

Answer 40

local irritation and reduction in mucocilliary clearance

Question 41

how can ammonia be reduced?

Answer 41

used absorbent bedding and muck out frequently

Question 42

why should the bed be lifted and floor allowed to dry regularly when mucking out?

Answer 42

reduces ammonia | reduces mold formation

Question 43

where should a soaked hay net be located?

Answer 43

over drain

Question 44

what are the issues with deep litter bedding?

Answer 44

build up of ammonia likely all bedding needs to be removed at intervals which is intense risk of thrush from damp bedding

Question 45

how should the horses respiratory system be managed when stabled?

Answer 45

feed from floor soak/steam haylage/hay if dusty hang hay net at air outlet provide quality bedding and muck out daily remove horse from stable before mucking out ventilation is key!! stable as little as possible

Question 46

what is involved in the stable management of hospitalised patients?

Answer 46

deep bed / rubber matting muck out fully daily and skip out 2-3 times completely disinfect stable between patients muck heap kept far away from stables

Question 47

why are deep beds crucial for hospitalised patients?

Answer 47

often recumbent reduces trauma clean if mucked out daily

Question 48

describe hospital isolation facilities for horses

Answer 48

distant and downwind from other horses own equipment (labelled or distinct colour) PPE worn Dirty bedding treated as clinical waste completely empty, disinfect and test between patients

Question 49

how long dog horses normally forage for per day?

Answer 49

18 hours

Question 50

what sort of grazer are horses?

Answer 50

selective, continuous of mixed types

Question 51

what are the golden rules of horse feeding?

Answer 51

``` fresh water at all times forage should form most of diet feed little and often avoid sudden diet changes keep the same routine allow time between concentrate and exercise ```

Question 52

what percentage of diet should be made up by forage?

Answer 52

50% at least

Question 53

what may be required by a horse who is fed at grass?

Answer 53

hard feed (small) balancer supplementary forage

Question 54

how should stabled horses be fed?

Answer 54

ad lib forage (best from floor) | supplemented with concentrates

Question 55

how long should patients be starved before surgery?

Answer 55

2hr pre op

Question 56

how may feeding needs alter in the hospitalized patient?

Answer 56

energy demands will increase with healing

Question 57

how can patient energy needs be monitored?

Answer 57

weigh regularly - on arrival and then daily/weekly

Question 58

how should cross tied patients be fed?

Answer 58

supervised meals from floor to allow them to lower their heads

Question 59

what is the essential daily grooming task?

Answer 59

pick out hooves

Question 60

how may fly exposure in horses be managed?

Answer 60

topical repellent spray/cream rugs fly fringe/masks