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e. Additional provisions for housing and care of equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys
and mules
1. Introduction
Equines evolved as grazers of open grasslands, and domestic horses and ponies (Equus caballus)
and donkeys (Equus asinus) have retained the behavioural repertoire of their ancestors. In the
feral or free-ranging state, equines live in herds separated into small family groups or bands
typically comprising one stallion, with several mares, foals and yearlings. The social structure
develops as a clearly defined hierarchy, and individual animals within a group often form close pair
bonds which it is important to recognise and maintain if possible. Mutual body care is a particularly
important element in their social life.
Unlike ruminants, equines may graze continuously for many hours and under natural conditions
they will spend fourteen to sixteen hours daily at this activity. Although their natural food is grass,
herbs, and leaves, they are very selective regarding their choice of grass species and which part of
the plant to eat. Their normal daily pattern is to graze, move a few steps and graze again. In this
way they exercise as well as feed, and can cover long distances in a twenty-four hour period.
I
deally, management systems for equines should accommodate their natural behaviour, in
particular the need to graze, exercise, and socialise. They are flight animals and hence easily
startled and this should also be taken into account.
2. The environment and its control
Rugs can be used in cool conditions, especially if hair has been clipped, but these should be
removed and checked daily.
The mane and tail of equines provide protection from adverse weather conditions and from flies
and should not be removed or cut short. Where manes and tails need to be shortened or tidied
this should be achieved by trimming rather than by pulling.
3. Health
(See paragraph 3 of the General considerations for farm animals and mini-pigs)
4. Housing, enrichment and care
4.1. Enclosures – dimensions and flooring
Ideally, equines should be kept at pasture or have access to pasture for at least six
hours a day. Where equines are kept with minimal or no access to grazing then
additional roughage should be provided to extend the time spent feeding and reduce
boredom.
In indoor enclosures, group-housing systems are preferred since these provide
opportunities for socialisation and exercise. For horses it is essential that great care
is taken to ensure social compatibility of groups
The total space requirement for indoor enclosures will depend on whether animals
also have daily access to additional areas for grazing and/or other forms of exercise.
The figures below assume that such additional areas will be provided. If not, then
space allowances should be increased significantly.
Table G.8. Equines: Minimum enclosure dimensions and space allowances
Minimum floor area/animal
(m2/animal)
Wither height
(m)
For each animal
held singly or in
groups of up to 3
animals
For each animal
held in groups of
4 or more
animals
Foaling box /
mare with foal
Minimum
enclosure height
(m)
1.00 to 1.40 9.0 6.0 16 3.00
over 1.40 to 1.60 12.0 9.0 20 3.00
over 1.60 16.0 (2 x WH)2 * 20 3.00
* To ensure adequate space is provided, space allowances for each individual animal should be based on height to
withers (WH)
The shortest side should be a minimum of 1.5 x the wither height of the animal.
The height of indoor enclosures should allow animals to rear to their full height to
safeguard the welfare of the animals.
Slatted floors should not be used for equines.
4.2. Feeding
Incorrect feeding of equines can have very serious welfare implications, causing
illnesses such as colic and laminitis.
Since they naturally graze for long periods, they should ideally have constant access
to forage in the form of fresh grass, hay, silage or straw. Where they are not given
the opportunity to graze, they should be provided with a suitable quantity of long
fibre/roughage every day. Where possible roughage should be fed on the ground or
in suitably designed round bale feeders. Hay nets and racks should be designed
and positioned to minimise risk of injury.
If “hard” (concentrate) feed is offered to animals, particularly where the animals are
housed in groups the feeding order should, where possible, follow the herd order of
dominance. Where possible individuals should be fed separately. If this is not
possible feeding points should be spaced at least 2.4 m apart and there should be at
least one point per animal. Horses fed with concentrates need to be given small
amounts of feed frequently.
4.3. Watering
Horses prefer to drink from an open water surface, and this should be provided
where possible. If automatic water nipple drinkers are used, animals may need to be
trained to use them.
4.4. Identification
Ear tags and tattooing should not be used in equines. If identification other than coat
colour is required then transponders should be used. Numbered head-collars and
hanging tags for halters have also been used successfully for identification.
Warboel
