Management Systems 2

• Why live out

  • Horses evolved to live outside 24/7 and roam around in herds
  • Trickle feeding for approx. 60% of their time – 16h a day
  • Convenience – low maintenance? Cheaper??
• Where to live out

  • In paddocks/fields
  • Grass – ryegrass, clover, timothy, fescues
  • Or on alternative surface (sand, rubber, stone, concrete, AstroTurf, woodchip) with supplemented forage
• Considerations for living out

  • Changes to environment throughout yearly cycle
  • Maintenance of land throughout yearly cycle
• Outdoor systems for equines

  • Grass outdoor systems - Set stocked paddock
  • Strip grazed
  • Rotational
  • Grass tracks
  • Equicentral system
  • Non-grass outdoor systems - Paradise Paddocks / non-grass tracks
  • Woodchip paddocks
  • Sand paddocks
• Well drained land

  • Natural drainage, sloping land
  • Permeable soils – sand and gravel, silty through to clay not permeable
  • Drainage systems in place?
  • Hard standing in frequently used areas
  • May determine if can be used all year round or if need resting in winter
• Water requirements

  • Horses require a constant supply of clean, fresh water
  • Containers large enough to allow all horses to drink
  • Poaching risk?
  • Containers free from sharp edges
  • Checked daily and cleaned regularly
  • Extra care in hot/ very cold weather
• Natural water supplies

  • Need to know the source
  • Water should be running i.e. not a pond
  • Streams should not have a sandy bottom- can cause colic
  • Ideally should not run through other horse paddock – infection risk
• Fencing

  • Fencing should be 1-1.40 metres in height
  • Suitable fencing - Wooden post and rail
  • Stone walls
  • Plastic fencing
  • Electric fencing
  • Horse netting
  • Hedges
  • Unsuitable fencing - Plain wire
  • Stock fencing (mesh) – risk with shoes
  • Barbed wire
• Shelter

  • All horses should have access to shelter, regardless of their breed/type
  • Can be man-made e.g., building, walls, or natural shelter such as hedges/trees
  • Open sides – easily accessible to all
  • Wind-direction
  • Sizes (depends on no. of horses)
  • On well-drained land
• Common poisonous plants

  • Ragwort
  • Deadly nightshade
  • Foxglove
  • Bracken
  • Buttercups
  • Hemlock
  • Lupin
  • St. John's Wort
• Common poisonous trees

  • Oak (more the acorns than anything else)
  • Yew
  • Sycamore – atypical myopathy
  • Rhododendron
  • Privet
  • Box
• Stocking density

  • Recommendation is 1-2 acres (0.4-0.8 Ha) per horse
  • Factors affecting this - Size and type horse/pony
  • Length of time stabled/ at grass
  • Time of year
  • Quality of pasture
  • Rotations
• Parasite control

  • Regular removal of faeces from paddocks is essential
  • Paddocks should be cleared daily
  • Twice per week (or once a week in the winter) sufficient
• Grass

  • Harrowing, rolling, fertilising, weed killing / removal, removing poisonous plants
  • Multiple species grass /vegetation is a good source of nutrition but domesticated horses usually put in monoculture paddocks
  • Selective grazers and make poor utilisation of pasture
  • Most pasture in the UK is high-yielding ryegrass which can provide more nutrition than horses need
• Grass species

  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Hybrid ryegrass
  • Timothy
  • Meadow fescues
• Best times to graze grass in UK

  • Later in the growing system - more fibrous and less digestible due to lignification
  • Most nutritious in May/June with possibility of a late summer flush in Sept (weather conditions permitting)
  • Some horses affected by grass in terms of physiology and behaviour
• Soil nutrients

  • Soils which are deficient in nutrients will not be productive
  • Key nutrients are: Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium
  • Addition of too much Nitrogen can promote excessive growth of grass = risk of obesity + laminitis
  • Fencing off areas of pasture for later use can help
  • Soil pH is also important
  • Soil should be analysed before decisions are made about adding fertiliser or lime (to increase pH)
• Other forms of forage

  • Hay
  • Haylage
• Services

  • Electricity – Lighting? Clipping? Kettle
  • Sewage – Toilet facilities
  • Manure storage and disposal – regularly
  • Safe for horses and people
• Herds, pairs, singles

  • Herds = groups of horses - Single sex? Different ages? Land required depends on herd size
  • Pairs – pair bonds - Less risk of injury? Less land required
  • Single - Even less risk of injury (??) Control feed and water intake
  • Other forms of company - Sheep, cattle, goats etc.
• Mixed species grazing

  • Use of cattle or sheep to promote better pasture/ minimise parasitism/ reduce grazing if horses prone to obesity
  • Key considerations - Fencing and boundaries, Poaching ( if cattle)
• Husbandry of horse living out

  • Daily field checks - Boundaries/ Fencing, Adequate supply of water, Secure gates, Clear faeces, Removal of poisonous plants, Monitor growth of pasture, Check for rubbish / dangerous objects, Check for rabbit / badger / fox holes, Horse checks
  • Daily horse checks - Pick out feet, Check horse for injuries, Monitor body condition, Adequate feed available – may need to supplement, Clean water supply
• Additional considerations for horses at grass

  • Signs of obesity/ laminitis
  • Ectoparasite control e.g. removal of bot eggs
  • Signs of conditions such as sweet itch
  • May be necessary to provide rugs for protection or fly clothing
  • Warm/ Dry?
  • Water frozen - risk dehydration and colic
  • Grooming (protective oils in coat)
  • Fly repellents
  • Extra help against weather / elements e.g. sun cream
  • Problems- mud fever, ventral dermatitis, rain scald
• Combined systems

  Best of both worlds - Control of feed, convenience of horse readily available, daily exercise and fresh air with company
• Choosing a system

  • Equine anatomy determines a trickle feeding habit, grazing for 16-18 hrs/day
  • Feed ration and frequency altered accordingly
  • Health of horse could influence system needed
  • Breed may influence choice – native vs. TB
  • Availability of quality housing; various designs to meet needs
  • Human concerns - Labour costs, rental costs, bedding, feed costs