Unit 306 – Undertake Stable and Yard Management Understand the requirements for stabled and grass-kept horses

Aims Be able to understand the requirements for stabled and grass-kept horses Be able to undertake horse care tasks and to maintain the health of horses

Objectives – To understand the requirements of the assignment, in relation to the written case study. – To state at least three of the five recommendations to maintain Animal Welfare within the Act. – List the additional welfare requirements of the horse. – By the end of the session you will be able to state the minimum requirements of the stable and field considering the horse’s welfare. – Identify at least five hazards which can pose a risk to a horse kept at grass. – Understand the terms; stabled, grass kept and combined systems.

Read through Task C Task D due in Make notes Feel free to ask questions Task C – final draft due in 13 th January. Please hand in draft versions before this to ensure you are on the right track. Complete power point put on moodle – please access it and read it thoroughly. You will need to study the design and the systems in place at Northop College as part of the study. Next week 2 nd December trip to Four Oaks Livery yard. You will need to bring a camera and pen and paper to take notes.I will provide prompt notes to help you. Week starting the 9 th December we will be carrying out practical assessments for the whole session. Those not completing assessments can carry out health checks or be working on Task C, the case study. you will need to complete the same prompt sheets for Northop equine unit as you did for four oaks so that you consider the same areas. You will need to see me on that morning so that I can mark you in as present.

Welfare What does the Animal Welfare Act do? It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met. These include the need: – For a suitable environment (place to live) – For a suitable diet – To exhibit normal behavior patterns – To be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable) – To be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.

 The welfare is a primary consideration.  The Equine Industry Welfare Guidelines set out minimum requirements for housing horses and ponies. The size (and type) of stabling will be dependent on the size, type and requirement of the horses and ponies to be stabled.  Stable should be large enough for a horse or pony to stand up with at least 0.9m (3’) clearance above it’s head.  Sufficient space to lie down, stand up and turn around without difficulty.  A rule of thumb recommended by the BHS is that a pony would need a 3m x 3.7 m (10’ x x12’) floor area, and a horse 3.7m x 3.7m (12’ x 12’).  The height should be between 2.7m and 3.4m (9’ & 11’)  stable doors a minimum 1.2m (4’) wide, and 2.3m (7’6") high, with the bottom door being 1.2m (4’) high.

Minimum requirements of a stable block Level Stable Secure Water electric Natural light Ventilated Fire proof (or control measures in place) Suitable size Waste management Storage Good access and exit

 Good ventilation is essential.  Must be achieved without placing the horse or pony in a draughty environment.  High-pitched ceilings improve ventilation by allowing a greater volume of air to circulate, diluting any ammonia resulting from urine.  High-level vents, preferably at the ridge, are essential to allow continuous air movement around the stable.  A window at the front of the stable allows good air flow without causing a draught.

Minimum requirements of a grazing field Secure Suitable size Suitable gradient Free of poisonous plants and weeds Provision of water Shelter Access and exit Quality of the grass

Possible hazards to horses kept at grass Fencing Grass- lack of or too much Security Lack of water Rubbish Weeds Poisonous plants Rugs Trees Companions

Methods of keeping a horse Stabled – Stabling a horse for long periods of the day, or completely. Exercise provided in the form of horse walker or ridden exercise. Field – The horse spends all of its time in the field, throughout the seasons. – Horse leaves the field to be exercised. Combined system – Horse stabled during periods of bad weather and at night in winter. – Possibly stabled during the day in summer to avoid flies, but turned out at night.

 Access to the fields for horse and vehicles.  Field plan (individual or group turnout? Mares and geldings together or separate?)  Use of grass mats or hard core to maintain the gateways.  Gradient of land.  Type of land; sand, loam, clay etc  Grasses suitable for horses - Perennial Ryegrass, Timothy, Creeping Red Fescue, Meadow Fescue, Chewing's Fescue, Rough Stalked Meadow Grass, Crested Dogstail,Cocksfoot (not exhaustible)

Aims – Compare different stable designs and their impact on equine welfare – Assess potential hazards and risks to horses kept at grass – Evaluate benefits of caring for horses that are stabled, grass kept and those on combined systems. Objectives – To understand the requirements of the assignment, in relation to the written case study. – To state at least three of the five recommendations to maintain Animal Welfare within the Act. – List the additional welfare requirements of the horse. – By the end of the session you will be able to state the minimum requirements of the stable and field considering the horse’s welfare. – Identify at least five hazards which can pose a risk to a horse kept at grass. – Understand the terms; stabled, grass kept and combined systems.

Questions