Stabling and grazing
Equines, especially horses, can be kept in stables when not working.
They can be kept in a field with some form of shelter against bad weather conditions. |
Learning objectives
After studying this unit you should know:
1 What is needed in a good stable.
2 Keeping the stable clean.
3 What is needed to keep animals in the field.
Stables
Horses are often kept in stables when not working. A good stable
can be made from wood, brick or concrete and should have a solid floor
which slopes gently towards the door to allow urine to flow out.
The stable should be big enough to allow the animal to move
about, lie down and roll over. The stable should be 3.5m × 3m in area or
larger. Small animals will need less space. A stable where the animal
is free to move is called a loose box. The door of the loose box should
be divided into two so that the top half can be left open during the day
to allow fresh air into the stable and allow the animal to see what is
going on around it.
Stables
Concentrate feeds for the stabled horse are placed in a manger (a
feeding trough) which is fixed to a wall at least 60 cm above the
ground. Hay is fed from a hay rack of wooden or metal bars attached to
the wall at least 1 metre from the ground. Hay can also be fed from a
rope net hung from a hook or ring in the wall. A metal ring should be
attached to a wall to allow the animal to be tied up when it is groomed
or examined. Water can be provided in a strong bucket placed in a corner
of the stable with a bar of wood to hold it in place.
Shelter
Animals should be provided with shade and shelter. Trees provide
shade and shelter can be provided by a three-sided shelter made of wood
or sheeting. Animals can be fed hay or concentrates in the shelter when
necessary.
Keeping the stable clean
The manger and buckets should be emptied and cleaned every day
and fresh water provided. A good bed of straw, sawdust, wood shavings or
clean sand should be provided which is deep enough so that the floor of
the box is not uncovered by the animal's movements.
Remove any soiled bedding and dung every day and take to a dung
heap. Add some fresh bedding to the box. Removing the dung helps to
reduce fly problems and the risk of infection from parasites. Bedding
should be completely renewed when possible. The dung heap rots and
produces heat which kills eggs of parasitic worms. When it is well
rotted the dung can be used to fertilise land.
Keeping equines out at pasture
Fields for equines should be well fenced. Fencing needs to be
strong and can be post and rail or wire. If a wire fence is used the
bottom wire needs to be at least 30 cm off the ground to prevent animals
getting their feet caught in it. A good strong hedge which the animals
cannot push through not only acts as a barrier but will provide shelter
against wind. Hedges should be made of thorn or other strong bushes
planted in two parallel rows.
Keeping equines out at pasture
Water will need to be provided in a trough or strong bucket which
will need to be filled daily. A bucket can be placed in an old tyre to
prevent it being tipped over.
It is a good idea to fence pasture into three areas. One third
can be used while the remainder is rested or used for hay. Removing dung
from the pasture will reduce contamination by worm eggs. Donkeys and
horses can be tethered for grazing and moved to fresh areas every day.