Tag: Horse Care

For a variety of reasons, there comes a time in many horse owners' lives in which they are no longer able, physically, or financially to provide care for their horse(s). Sometimes the horse is very much wanted, but the owner's circumstances do not allow them to keep their beloved equine. It is important to note that not all horses at risk or in transition have suffered from neglect and abuse. In fact, this is a common misconception.

Owners may become ill or have a change in their financial capability to care for a horse. A rider may outgrow their horse both in size and skill, and, in turn, a horse may also be better suited for a career change depending on age, temperament and soundness. It is incredibly common for various reasons for a horse to change hands frequently throughout their life, oftentimes through no fault of the horse.   According to data in the Equine Welfare Data's (EWDC) third report chronicling 2019, 52% of horses entering shelters come directly through owners in need seeking to surrender their horse. Of those owners, 77% are requested surrender specifically for personal financial or health related reasons.”

(If you find yourself in a situation in which you want to keep your horse, but need temporary assistance until you can get back on your feet physically or financially, there are various safety net programs available to help. Please visit the United Horse Coalition Safety Net Programs and Resources for more information.)

Horse owners should feel a moral obligation to make sure their horse in transition ends up receiving proper care and treatment. Legally, as a seller, you must share anything important you know about the horse's behavior and physical condition. If the horse is healthy and of a reasonable age, it is always best to find a suitable new vocation, owner, or home, rather than have to euthanize the horse. On the other hand, if the horse is old and not in good health, or suffering, then the most humane decision may indeed be euthanasia – this is a decision between you and your veterinarian.

In most cases, there are four options available to owners:

• Sale
• Donation/gift
• Re-homing to a rescue/sanctuary
• Euthanasia

The options available to you may be based on the health, soundness, age, training level, and temperament of your horse. Some options have strict criteria for qualification; not every horse is suitable for every job. For more information visit our Resources for Owners section.

Finding a new home for a horse is not always an easy job and various equine facilities play a role in providing care or finding new owners for horses. Whether an owner is searching for the perfect retirement farm, looking to find their horse a new job in therapeutic riding or in the mounted patrol, or if they are in need of placement with a rescue or sanctuary, there are questions every owner should ask before giving up care and control of their horse.

In order to ensure that your horse is placed within the best-suited organization, please consider asking the organization(s) the following:

1. Does the organization subscribe to accepted guidelines for operating such facilities, such as the “Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities” prepared by the American Association of Equine Practitioners?
   For Thoroughbreds, is the organization accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance?
2. Is it an entity exempt from federal tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code?
3. Does it file IRS Form 990 and forms required by the state? Will the facility provide copies?
4. Does it have a mission statement and a board of directors? Who are they?
5. How long has the organization been operating?
6. If it is a facility that will use the horse, how will it be used?
7. Will the facility allow you to walk the property, including entering barns?
8. Does the facility appear to have adequate feed (hay, pasture, grain) for the number of horses on the property?
9. What are the physical characteristics of the facility, including barns, pastures, shelters, and fencing? Does the facility have ample room for horses to graze and/or move about? Do the horses have adequate shelter?
10. Is the organization's agreement with the owner for free lease or donation or something else?
11. Will the horse stay at the facility or be placed into foster care? If the facility uses foster care, how are foster homes screened?
12. Does the organization have an agreement regarding the use, boarding, or care of the horse?
13. If it is an organization that adopts horses out, what are the requirements for adoption? Does the facility follow up with the new owners to ensure the horse is being properly cared for?
14. Does the organization have a policy against breeding or restrict the horse's use in any way?
15. What is the organization's post-adoption policy on breeding and use?
16. If this is an adoption facility, are stallions gelded upon entry and before adoption?
17. What becomes of the horse when the adopter or the user no longer wants the horse?
    Will the organization automatically take the horse back?
18. Will the organization advise you before your horse is transferred to a new owner?
19. Can the original owner ask for the horse back?
20. Will the facility provide routine and emergency veterinary, dental, and farrier care?
21. Does the facility provide training/re-training for the horse?
22. Can owners visit their horse at the facility?
    Can owners visit the horse at an adoption home?
23. Have any welfare charges been brought against the organization?
24. Does the facility euthanize horses that cannot be placed? If so, will the facility notify the owner beforehand?

For more information on acquiring assistance, contact the United Horse Coalition.

The post 24 Questions To Ask When Rehoming A Horse appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) and Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) jointly announce today that TCA has returned as the title sponsor of the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, the flagship program of the Retired Racehorse Project. TCA's commitment to improving the lives and welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses both on and off the track has guided its support of the RRP since 2012.

Designed to serve the RRP's charitable mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing, the Thoroughbred Makeover is a retraining competition and showcase, featuring trainers from across North America who have worked throughout the year to prepare recently retired Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to compete for more than $100,000 in ten equestrian sports. This year, competition scope has expanded to include a pilot program for recently-retired broodmares exiting the breeding industry.

“The Thoroughbred Makeover has really moved the needle in aftercare by increasing the demand for and value of Thoroughbreds in their post-racing careers,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “TCA is pleased to once again support this important event that has impacted the lives of thousands of Thoroughbreds.”

TCA's support of the Thoroughbred Makeover is part of its annual grant-making activity. This year, TCA granted over $821,000 to 75 approved organizations. For over three decades, TCA has worked to support not only Thoroughbred aftercare, but also programs that provide health and human services for backstretch and farm workers.

“TCA recognized early on the potential that the RRP had to make a significant change in how we approach aftercare in this country, and we would not be here today, continuing that impact, without the early and continued supported that TCA provided,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “We applaud TCA for recognizing the critical need to fund a variety of aftercare programs that are taking diverse approaches towards our shared goal of ensuring a smooth transition to life beyond racing for Thoroughbreds.”

The Thoroughbred Makeover culminates in a four-day competition as well as a symposium with educational, networking and social opportunities – but the true Makeover process begins in December of the previous year, when the retraining process officially begins on December 1. A total of 551 horses were registered for this year's competition, and 404 made a final entry. This retention rate is the highest to date, indicating that the Retired Racehorse Project's educational and support services are working for participating trainers.

With TCA's support, the Thoroughbred Makeover has impacted over 4,700 horses, representing an estimated $41.1 million in private funds spent to care for the participating horses that are transitioning into riding careers. Since 2015, the RRP has also documented an 94% increase in value of horses upon retirement from racing that participate in the Makeover.

A full schedule of Thoroughbred Makeover events can be found at TheRRP.org.

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The American Quarter Horse Association at the recommendation of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, is implementing a new mandatory necropsy rule regarding all on-site equine fatalities at any AQHA-approved event.

The new rule, VIO208, will be added to the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations. For purposes of this rule, a “fatality” is defined as a death to any horse by any means including euthanasia at any time from when the horse arrives at the venue until the completion of the AQHA approved event or after the AQHA approved event where such injury or illness is related to the horse's presence at the AQHA approved event. This pertains to death on the grounds or while being transported to other facilities to seek care.

The trainer, owner or exhibitor as defined by AQHA rules, [see VIO250, Responsible Party], must notify the AQHA show steward or show manager as soon as possible but no later than one hour after such occurrence.

In most cases, a gross postmortem examination including histopathology must be performed for incidents involving euthanasia or fatality.  If a Responsible Party refuses the necropsy, they are subject to temporary suspension pursuant to new rule VIO207.  Rule VIO207 provides  that AQHA will immediately appoint a three-person panel from the Animal Welfare Grievance Committee for the purposes of reviewing the incident. In conjunction with such investigation, a Responsible Party hereby agrees to cooperate with AQHA by (1) answering truthfully and promptly any inquiries; (2) providing medical/treatment records and post death reports/results (e.g. necropsy report) if any; and (3) authorizing any third parties to answer AQHA inquires and provide the aforementioned records. Subject to the panel's review and recommendation, AQHA may temporarily suspend a Responsible Party pending AQHA's further investigation of the horse's death.

View further explanation and specifications of these rulings in the 2023 AQHA rulebook.

About the Animal Welfare Commission

The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, which was created by the AQHA Executive Committee in 2012, reports directly to the Executive Committee, which evaluates all proposals in relation to the current state of the industry. The Animal Welfare Commission serves as AQHA's primary body for rules, policies and procedures related to all areas of animal welfare. In addition, the commission oversees the educational processes associated with AQHA officials responsible for animal welfare.

The Animal Welfare Commission's mission is to provide a framework for its members to 1.) Identify issues negatively affecting the welfare of the American Quarter Horse, 2.) Stay current on all animal welfare issues and 3.) Recommend actions that will help protect the American Quarter Horse from inhumane practices and AQHA and its members from the negative impacts associated with those practices. The AQHA Animal Welfare Commission, in an effort to do right by the horse, will share discussion, action items and recommendations with the Association's alliance partners. AQHA's prohibition against inhumane treatment applies to AQHA members and nonmembers.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHA and visit www.aqha.com/news.

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Though turnout has long been known to make a healthier horse, a new study from The Ohio State University suggests that the space available to the horse while he is outside is also important.  

Scientists at the school's Agricultural Technical Institute determined that a minimum of about one-tenth of an acre per horse is necessary to minimize aggression and reduce stress. 

Prompted by students in Dr. Jessica Suagee-Bedore's facility management class, the study used 12 healthy horses that were familiar with each other. The students first determined each horse's flight zone by allowing each horse to eat, then walking a second horse toward the eating horse until he showed signs of aggression like pinning his ears or turning his hindquarters toward the approaching horse. The study team then measured the distance between the horses. On average, each horse had a flight zone of about 33 feet. That figure was then used to calculate the total amount of space a horse would need in any direction to avoid contact with another horse: the result was 3,681 square feet.

The second phase of the study kept four horses (two geldings and two mares) in different-sized pens for one hour. One pen offered 3,681 square feet per horse; one offered 2,831 square feet per horse; and the last gave each horse 1,981 square feet per horse. 

The scientists drew blood before turnout in the pens and at 15 and 60 minutes after turnout. The horses were observed for signs of stress and aggressive behavior like kicking or chasing. When not in the pens, the horses were kept in individual stalls.

Horses kept in the larger pens had lower levels of blood cortisol 15 and 60 minutes after turnout. The horses in the smaller pens did not demonstrate decreased cortisol levels, and they displayed aggressive behaviors more often. 

The study team said that more research is needed into blood cortisol levels over a longer period of time, and to see how horses react in the different-sized pens when food is involved.

Suagee-Bedore noted that the study focused only on the amount of space needed per horse to reduce stress, not to support grazing. The minimum acreage per horse needed to support nutritional intake and pasture growth is 2 acres per horse. 

Read more at EQUUS magazine. 

The post Get Out Of My Space! Pasture Size And Equine Aggression appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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