Horsekeeping and how to set up healthy environments.

Horse keeping around the world has many differnt looks, traditions, challenges and requirements. Climate, geography, resources, culture and knowledge will make choices for horse keeping very different in the various regions of the world.

Here in Los Angeles we have mild tempertures most of the year with the exception of summer heat part of the year. We have a shortage of rain, space and pastures. But we have a fairly high standard of living and few horses have to work at heavy labor as some equids do in other countries.

As a way to assess and develop a healthy environment for your horses, we can look at a concept called the 3 F's coined by Lauren Fraser MSc. www.equinebehaviourist.ca

The 3 F's stand for Friends, Forage and Freedom. These concepts can help you distill down the needs for your horse that you can control. Your choices will effect the mental and physical health of your horse or horses.

Horses are herd animals and have developed over millennia in groups for safety and reproductive needs. Horses have a complex and well developed social structure. Horses have a great memory for individual horses and also humans. Horses need to see, hear, smell, touch and groom one another. Keeping horses in isolation would be very difficult for them and cause undue mental harm. Working to provide Friends for your horse would help keep them healthy. Everything from good digestion to sleep would be influenced by the horses having a natural social structure. This would be a priority to provide to the best of your ability.

Next is Forage. Horse in the natural environment would graze most of the day on high fiber grasses. The digestion of the horse needs to have food most of the time to prevent ulcers or other systemic issues. Selecting the best forages for your horse available in your region is an important study for the horse owner. Volume and variety for gut health and nutrition are key to the horses long term well being. Additionally, providing constant fresh water and vitamins are essential.

Freedom of movement and Freedom of Choice are also key componets of healthy horse management. Strict confinement, tieing, chaining, hobleing for extended periods of time are seen in some cultures and locations, but are not considered good for equine welfare. Really try to give as much freedom of movement possible for maximum benefit. Freedom of choice is a great way to build relationship with your horse and there are so many ways to give some choice to horses in their daily routine. A bit of creativity and study can help the horse owner with this concept.

Other factors to consider in addition to the 3 F's would be a restful and quiet environment. Sleep is an important essential to horses as well as humans.

Providing clean and safe housing, fencing and footing. Soft places to rest and roll. Living areas free from hazards, equipment, or threats. Manure and pest/insect control is key to health and avoiding disease.

Providing a positive handling and training system is a great way to improve horsekeeping proceedures. Selecting trainers, handlers, farriers, veterinarians and others that are educated in modern positive handling practices can make a happy whole horse home. Providing positive experiences with humans will make a healthy and happy relationship with the horse. Interactions can be joyful and the best of the horses nature can be seen.

In conclusion, your choices for your horse(s) will be important to the mental and physical health. Your observance, actions and preparations will make a happy herd that includes you in an equine world. What could be better?

Many thanks to the people and organizations listed below:

References:

IAABC FOUNDATION - Equine Cooperative Care Course - www.iaabcfoundation.org

Trudi Dempsey CEBC, AAB - www.equine.training

Gabriel Lencioni DVM, CEBC Elite FFCP

Lauren Fraser MSc - www.equinebehavourist.ca

IAABC - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants - www.iaabc.org

FFCP - Fear Free Certified Professional - www.fearfreepets.com