What horses REALLY want

by Michaela Bowles

What do our horses really want (need) in terms of their environment for their overall physical and mental health, and what do we humans want and can and or are prepared to give them?

We are repeatedly reminded that horses are prey animals and that their natural habitat is wide open spaces: Prairies, savannah, steppes and veld. That they are social, herd animals and that they need to eat copious quantities of low-quality forage almost constantly while on the move!

So what do our horses need?

• Species-appropriate food.
• Water.
• Space for self-exercise and grazing.
• Shelter.
• Companions.

And because we ride and enjoy them it is up to us to ensure:
• A safe environment in terms of fencing and terrain.
• Veterinary and health care.

Species-appropriate food

Horses need large amounts of fibrous material for digestive and mental health. Too often they receive high levels of concentrate feed, with insufficient frequency and insufficient forage.

Horses need to eat between 2 to 2,5% of their bodyweight in dry food intake daily. This means that a 500 kg horse needs a minimum of 10 kg of dry food daily. If horses are grass-kept and they maintain or gain mass and condition, the grass is fulfilling or exceeding the 2% minimum requirement.

If the reverse is the case, as may occur during winter when nutritional status and quantity of grass declines, or the weather is very cold or the horse is working, additional feed must be provided:

• Maintenance: 100% grazing and or forage only.
• Light work: 20% concentrates and 80% forage/grazing.
• Medium work: 40% concentrates and 60% forage/grazing.
• Hard/fast work: 50% concentrates and 50% forage.

The above serves as a guideline only. It also depends on the quality of grazing and feed supplied, breed of horse and rider ability. A well, fit horse that feels good, can truly test your riding skills!

A rule of thumb: if the horse is well-conditioned but lacking energy, some concentrates may be in order. A fizzy horse or one failing to hold condition, should be given more forage.

Water

The most important 'nutrient' is water; between 20 and 25 litres are needed daily from a clean, safe source.

Self-exercise and grazing

The more turnout time, the healthier the horse is likely to be in mind and body. Movement aids all metabolic systems, ensuring good circulation and the supply of nutrients to all body parts. Exercise can in part include ridden exercise and work, but when ridden, the horse has to rebalance itself in order to carry its rider. Self-exercise enables the horse to relax and stretch physically and mentally!

Ideal grazing and exercise areas allow one to two acres per horse and up to six acres for stallions. This area should supply sufficient grazing with minimal additional concentrate or supplemental forage, depending upon the quality of the grazing and the nutritional needs of the horse (age, breed and level of work).

A safe environment means paddocks with horse-appropriate fencing and good gates of adequate height. Solid post and rail is best and plain; tautly strung wire may suffice; but sheep, jackal and barbed wire will not! Horses incur horrible injuries from wire.

The terrain should be free of holes and obstacles that can cause injury and not have too steep a gradient. Very variable terrain that changes from soft to hard going can result in bruised feet and strained tendons and ligaments.
Many horses spend long, unnecessary hours in stables, although of course there are times when a stable is needed. The reasons given for stabling, which may have some validity, will usually have an alternative solution.

The risk of turnout in the company of other horses is too great, because the horse is too valuable.

• Consider wearing protective boots, ensure that the paddock is horse-friendly and provide a sensible and safe companion.

If space is limited, conserve grazing.

• Plan ahead; buy in adequate quantities of supplementary feed and forage.
• Have a sacrifice paddock.

The horse is allergic/suffers from sweetitch.

• Frequent applications of fly sprays and stabling in the mornings and evenings when midges are most prevalent helps, as does the wearing of a 'bug rug'.
• Nutrition too may play a role.

Protection from African horse sickness.
• We are advised by the experts that vaccination is the best form of protection. Additionally, during an outbreak, the use of fly sprays and stabling at times of the day when the culicoides midge is most prevalent may help.

The horse becomes overweight (obese).
• Consider using a grazing muzzle or turnout on very poor grazing.
• Control intake or calculate energy needs for performance reasons; one does not want a grass belly.
• This can truly be a constant balancing act. Unless very experienced, it is really worth consulting a nutritionist on this one. The competition horse benefits hugely from turnout and relaxation time. It can eliminate temperament problems, filled legs, and incidence of colic, ulcers and stereotypic behaviours.
The horse gets cold.
• Unless a horse is clipped, old, sick, debilitated or thin, blankets are not needed. The horse has been provided with its own coat that changes twice a year and if gradually conditioned over the season and well fed on forage and able to move about, he or she will provide their own heating system. Constant putting on and taking off of rugs according to our human perspective of whether it is cold leads to chills.
• If a rug is worn, it is preferable that it is lightweight, breathable and rain resistant. Sweats/coolers for sweaty competition horses or after bathing are appropriate.

Shelter

Horses can survive very cold temperatures, but lengthy exposure to wind and rain causes problems, and exposure to heat can be very stressful.

Most horses prefer to stand out in rain, but may take shelter in very windy conditions and are most likely to seek shelter when it is very hot. Minimum requirements are dense hedges and trees or a substantial artificial windbreak. Horses do not seek out caves, so if we can provide a shelter that gives near all-round vision, has good, dry, comfortable standing, has easy access and an escape route and is spacious and airy, horses are more likely to use it.

Companions

Feral horses are social creatures living in herds, perceiving safety in numbers. Horses can go mad when kept in isolation. Herd living provides lots of lessons. Horses learn their position in the hierarchy and subsequently manners, indulge in mutual grooming. (Don't remove or reduce manes and tails, they provide protection from flies and insulation from heat and cold).

Observation will show who the sentinels are, which horses are buddies, which horse initiates what behaviours and who the leaders and who the followers are!

Veterinary and health care

Parasite control: Horses in feral situations do not typically carry high parasite burdens. Factors that affect domestic horses' external and internal parasite burdens are:
• High density of animals; poorly maintained grazing.
• High levels of concentrates i.e. lots of soluble carbohydrates in the diet.
• Age.
• Lack of grooming or cleanliness.
• Poor immune status or ill health.
• A lack of an effective anthelmintic and tick control programmes.

It is known that field maintenance along with a worming programme is the most effective way of reducing parasites in the horse and its environment. Strategic worming as opposed to regular worming programmes reduces the problems of resistance. Regular removal of droppings from paddocks and regular dipping for tick control is needed.

Disease control: African horse sickness is a killer. According to expert advice we should immunise our horses. The only exceptions might be foals (consult your vet) and old and immune-compromised horses who have a history of vaccination, in which case alternate years should suffice.

Horse influenza is an economic disease and competition bodies require vaccination certification. If your horse does not compete or socialise with horses outside of its own environment, consult with your vet as to the need to vaccinate.

Grooming: In the previous issue of SA Horseman the basic grooming needs of horses at both pasture or in work was discussed. All horses need to be checked daily to ensure that no injuries have been sustained and to ensure that timely treatment is carried out in the event that injury has occurred. Do not be tardy in calling your vet. A stitch in time saves suffering and many thousands of rand!

Checking entails at the very least, running eyes and hands all over the horse and picking out feet.

Hooves and teeth also need regular attention. If the horse is shod, the farrier should visit every four to six weeks to trim and reset or replace worn shoes. If the horse is barefoot, as increasing numbers are, whose owners recognise the benefits, anything from a fortnightly to monthly trim will be needed.

It may serve as a useful reminder that most lameness arises in the feet. Long toes, sheared heels and high heels cause improper balance that may result in joint, muscle, tendon and ligament injury.

Teeth need to be checked by a horse dentist or horse vet on annually at which time you will be informed if more frequent attention is needed. Of course, if a mouth problem is suspected, make an appointment immediately.
So why do so many horses endure less than optimum living conditions?

It may be a lack of knowledge on the part of the owner, economic, time and labour constraints, insufficient land or traditionally held views on horse management.

While it may not always be possible to provide the perfect equine habitat, with a little thought and consideration to our horses' needs, we can initiate improvements.

WE NEED TO STRETCH OUR OWN COMFORT ZONES AND LEARN TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.