Avoiding Equine Emergencies in the Pasture
- Date: 2007-01-09 - Word Count: 744
Share This!
For as long as people have made horses a part of their lives, there have been horse related emergencies. Those who don't know much about horses are often surprised that these seemingly graceful and beautiful animals are so accident prone. If you are just getting involved with horses, moving them home for the first time, traveling to your first competition or simply want the peace of mind that comes with being better prepared, there are simple steps that you can take to lessen your chances of an emergency resulting from an neglect, accident or illness.
At the barn, many emergencies crop up during the time a horse is pastured. Roughhousing with pasture mates and running off excess energy seem like the most at risk times for injury. However, many accidents occur when horses become bored and get into trouble finding alternative ways to entertain themselves.
Check Your Pastures
To start, check that your pastures use fencing materials that are high enough, visible enough, and sturdy enough for horses. Barbed wire should never be used in a horse pasture, as a horse can become tangled and injure or even kill themselves struggling to get free. Pastures should be inspected on a regular basis for any damage to fencing. Not only can your horse get caught, cut or hung up on broken fencing, but you also run the risk of horses escaping and causing havoc and possibly severe injury. If you're already out inspecting fencing, use the time to check for any holes or ditches in the ground as well.
If you use wood fencing that horses are particularly fond of chewing on, cover them, use electric wire, or coat them with a non-toxic substance to prevent horses from ingesting pieces of wood or getting splinters along their digestive tract. Make sure the entire pasture area is free from foreign objects that can cause injury to a curious horse, or illness to a horse that decides to nibble on something interesting that may result in poisoning or impaction. Your pastures should be free from all debris, from rusting farm equipment to litter that may have blown there from a nearby road.
Evaluate How the Herd Gets Along
If your horses repeatedly come in "beat up" and bear scars from bites and kicks from other horses, you may need to re-evaluate your pasture set up. Horses can usually get along, but sometimes one "bully" can spoil the whole bunch and may need to be removed from the herd before he inflicts a severe injury on another. Even without a bully, if horses are crowded into a small area, they invade each other's space and end up fighting. You may need to separate horses or provide additional space.
Monitor What is Growing
A barren pasture with nothing to eat is a recipe for bored, irritated horses that fight and get into trouble, and it is unhealthy as well. For optimum nutrition and well being, pastures should always have grazing available as well as fresh water. At times of the year when grass is scarce, pastures should be supplemented with hay. If horses become territorial and fight over the hay supply, it should be separated into smaller piles.
At other times of the year, grass can become lush within a few days and it's sudden abundance can cause illness. Always introduce horses to fresh grass gradually to lessen the chances of colic or founder, and do the same when bringing a new horse into the herd that is not accustomed to fresh grass. Keep in mind that at the same time nutritious grass is thriving, weeds usually are as well. Using a book that identifies toxic plants, inspect your pastures and destroy any weeds, flowers or grasses that are poisonous to horses.
Provide Shelter
Horses pastured for long periods of time also need shelter to escape the elements, as well as insects in the summer months. Inspect the inside as well as the outside of shelters for loose boards, nails or siding. Shelters should be positioned so that they block the prevailing winds and rain, and should be large enough to accommodate all the horses.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Ann Marie Henry is a riding instructor and horse breeder who enjoys educating novice horseman of the finer points to horse care and safety. In her youth she competed in a wide variety of equestrian events ranging from barrel racing to junior jumpers. Visit her Horse Care Books Site to read more about horses.
At the barn, many emergencies crop up during the time a horse is pastured. Roughhousing with pasture mates and running off excess energy seem like the most at risk times for injury. However, many accidents occur when horses become bored and get into trouble finding alternative ways to entertain themselves.
Check Your Pastures
To start, check that your pastures use fencing materials that are high enough, visible enough, and sturdy enough for horses. Barbed wire should never be used in a horse pasture, as a horse can become tangled and injure or even kill themselves struggling to get free. Pastures should be inspected on a regular basis for any damage to fencing. Not only can your horse get caught, cut or hung up on broken fencing, but you also run the risk of horses escaping and causing havoc and possibly severe injury. If you're already out inspecting fencing, use the time to check for any holes or ditches in the ground as well.
If you use wood fencing that horses are particularly fond of chewing on, cover them, use electric wire, or coat them with a non-toxic substance to prevent horses from ingesting pieces of wood or getting splinters along their digestive tract. Make sure the entire pasture area is free from foreign objects that can cause injury to a curious horse, or illness to a horse that decides to nibble on something interesting that may result in poisoning or impaction. Your pastures should be free from all debris, from rusting farm equipment to litter that may have blown there from a nearby road.
Evaluate How the Herd Gets Along
If your horses repeatedly come in "beat up" and bear scars from bites and kicks from other horses, you may need to re-evaluate your pasture set up. Horses can usually get along, but sometimes one "bully" can spoil the whole bunch and may need to be removed from the herd before he inflicts a severe injury on another. Even without a bully, if horses are crowded into a small area, they invade each other's space and end up fighting. You may need to separate horses or provide additional space.
Monitor What is Growing
A barren pasture with nothing to eat is a recipe for bored, irritated horses that fight and get into trouble, and it is unhealthy as well. For optimum nutrition and well being, pastures should always have grazing available as well as fresh water. At times of the year when grass is scarce, pastures should be supplemented with hay. If horses become territorial and fight over the hay supply, it should be separated into smaller piles.
At other times of the year, grass can become lush within a few days and it's sudden abundance can cause illness. Always introduce horses to fresh grass gradually to lessen the chances of colic or founder, and do the same when bringing a new horse into the herd that is not accustomed to fresh grass. Keep in mind that at the same time nutritious grass is thriving, weeds usually are as well. Using a book that identifies toxic plants, inspect your pastures and destroy any weeds, flowers or grasses that are poisonous to horses.
Provide Shelter
Horses pastured for long periods of time also need shelter to escape the elements, as well as insects in the summer months. Inspect the inside as well as the outside of shelters for loose boards, nails or siding. Shelters should be positioned so that they block the prevailing winds and rain, and should be large enough to accommodate all the horses.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Ann Marie Henry is a riding instructor and horse breeder who enjoys educating novice horseman of the finer points to horse care and safety. In her youth she competed in a wide variety of equestrian events ranging from barrel racing to junior jumpers. Visit her Horse Care Books Site to read more about horses.
Related Tags: horse care, horse, equine, horse training
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea