Equine
Equine Includes all living horses; Horses , Donkeys , Zebras ,
Ponies , and Crose breed (hybrid ) ; Mule and Hinny .
 Height of the Horses
The height of horses is measured in hands ( a hand is the average
width of a mans hand, ( 4 in.) from the ground to the highest
point of the withers .Withers is the ridge between the shoulder
bone .
 Size , and Type
Horses are generally divided into three types :
A – Light horses
Weight approximately 900 -1200 lb. at maturity .
o Have small bone .
o Thin legs .
o Riding and racing breed are from 15 – 16.5 hands high .
B – Heavy horses (Draft Horses )
o Weight 1600 lb . or more at maturity .
o Have large bone .
o Thick , and Strong legs .
o Draft horses attain a height of 20 hands
C - Ponies
o Weight less than 800 lb. at maturity .
o Small in size .
o Mature ponies horses measuring less than 58 in. ( 14.5
hands ) .
 Gait
The way a horse walks or runs is referred to as its gait . Horses
have 3 natural gaits ; walk, trot and canter .
 Horses Eyes
Horses have larger eyes than any other land animals ,Oval shaped
eyes are set at the sides of their head . Move independently ,
each eye move in a half circle from front to back ,so the horse can
look forward with one eye , and backward with the other .That
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why some horseman use blinker ;(blinders that fit along side the
eyes ) to block a horses side and rear vision .
THE STALLION

Stallion is a male horse use for breeding ,attains puberty in
about one year (18-24) months. He is seldom used for breeding
before 2 years of age .Even then ,he is used on a limited number
of mares with 10-12 mating well spaced throughout the breeding
season .

Stallion used fore breeding at 3 years of age ,at this time he
can service 25-30 mares during the breeding season . The older
mature ,highly fertile stallions may be hand mated with 75-100
mares during along breeding season . ☼☼☼ usually breeding is
limited to once daily .If occasion demand 2 or 3 well spaced
services / day are possible for a short period .☼☼proper
nutrition and exercise are important in maintaining good physical
condition in stallions to be used for breeding purposes.
 ☼☼Artificial insemination of horses has been practiced very
well.
 THE MARE
The mare is a female horse . Filly is a young mare reach puberty
between 10 -18 months of age .IF kept for brood mares , they are not
usually bred until they are at least 3 years old .
Saddle or racing mares often are not bred until they are much older
.Mares in healthy physical condition at breeding time are more likely to
conceive .Proper feeding and plenty of exercise are vital .
 Extremes in condition should be avoided :

If mares are too thin ,their feed should be increased so that
they are gaining weight at the time of breeding . (Thin mares
often need worming ) .

Overfeeding and extreme fatness should be avoided .
 Mares should get sufficient exercise :
 --- Allowed to run in large pastures .
--- Exercised ( ridden or driven )regularly .
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 Care and Management of Breeding Animals

The reproductive rate in horses is low compared with that of
other farm animals .This result from a comparatively :
A – Long gestation period .
B – Low level of fertility .
C- An older age when they first produce young
D - Mares seldom deliver twine more than one foal at
parturition .

☼☼ ☼ However , they do have a long reproductive life ,often
reproducing until they are 20 or more years of age .
 Breeding and Foaling Season

The usual breeding and foaling season for horses is in Spring
,although some foal are produced during other season.

Foaling in the spring is advantageous because of warm
weather and abundance of green grass for both mother and foal .
These induce fast growth and development of the young .
Reproduction in Females
The ovary of the sexually immature female farm mammal is quiescent for a period
of several months, and then suddenly follicles develop, the female comes into
estrus ( heat ) , the egg is ovulated , and the female has reached the age of sexual
puberty .
Puberty is defined as the age at which an animal becomes capable of reproducing
sexually . Females of all species reach puberty at an early age than males.
Numerous factors affect age at puberty such as:
1234-
Breed
Growth rate
Ambient temperature
Season of birth
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The approximate age of puberty for females of different species of farm mammals :
Species
Age of puberty ( months )
----------------------------------------------------------------------Males
Females
--------------------------Cattle │
6–9
5 - 14
Sheep │
6–8
7 – 10
Horses │
18 – 24
15 – 24
Buffalos │
│
15 -18 in river buffaloes
21 -24 in swamp buffaloes
Camel │
The cause of sudden onset of puberty in the female may related to secretion
and / or release of gonadotropic hormones by anterior pituitary gland .Endocrine
patterns associated with the onset of puberty vary with species , In ewes pulsate
secretion of LH with peak of high amplitude occur throughout the period of sexual
maturation and continue through the first breeding season .A similar pattern of LH
secretion has been observed in pre pubertal heifers , except that a definite decrease in
magnitude of LH peaks commences approximately one week prior to first ovulation .
LH release is established that causes some luteinization of follicles ,from which low
levels of progesterone are secreted .Progesterone is the critical for establishing the
pubertal release of luteinizing hormone that causes ovulation .
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___________________________________
Hypothalamus
↓
(GNRH)
↓
Anterior pituitary gland
/ \
FSH
LH
↓
Ovary
/
Estrogen
\
progesterone
Estrus and the Estrous Cycle
Estrus is the time the female will receive the male in the act of mating. The estrous
cycle begins at puberty and
is interval between two estrous when the female is not pregnant. The length of estrus
and estrus cycle for farm animal are presented in Table below :
Length of Estrus ,Time of Ovulation , of
.
and Length of Estrous cycle in Females
.
of Farm animals
Length of
Length
Mammal
estrus
estrous cycle
Approximate time of Ovulation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cow
16-20 hr.
19-21 days
12 to 14 hr .after end of estrus .
Ewe
20-42 hr.
17-19 days
1 hr. before end of estrus .
Mare
2-7 days
19-21 days
24 to 48 hr, before end of estrus .
Goat
26-42 hr.
18-22 days
Shortly after end of estrus .
.
Camel
------17 -21 days
camel are induced ovulation ,thus
ovulate in response to mating only .
Buffalo
5 – 27 hr.
17 -21 days
24 to 48 after onset of estrus .
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The estrous cycle in farm animals has four different phases :
Pro estrus, Estrus , Met estrus , and Di estrus .
Pro estrus is that phase of the cycle which occurs just before estrus .
The reproductive system at that time is beginning preparation for
release of the ovum from the ovary ,there is Maximum follicular growth
.Estrus is the period of the estrous cycle when the female will accept
the male in the act of mating , and when the Graafian follicle matures ,
and releases the ovum. Met estrus is the phase of the estrous cycle
immediately following estrus ,when the uterus makes preparations for
pregnancy ,and the corpus luteum form ,and begins to secrete
progesterone . Di estrus is usually the longest phase of the estrous cycle
.During the first part of Di estrus ,the corpus luteum becomes fully
developed . In the latter part is an involution of the corpus luteum , and
uterine mucosa.
Non pregnant female normally express both inward and outward signs of the estrous
cycle through out the year, or during the breeding season if they are seasonal
breeders.
TYPE OF ESTRUS :
Mono estrous
. Poly estrous
. Seasonal poly estrous.
.
Type of estrus ,are terms used to describe the yearly sexual
activity of females .Some wild animals , such as fox , have only one
estrus period /year ( mono estrus ) .Other animals have many estrus /
year ,if not pregnant ,( poly estrous ) such as cow .Ewe have many
estrus only during a particular season ( Seasonal poly estrous ) . She
camels are seasonal breeders short breeding season during cooler
months .
After foaling estrus :
( foal heat ) mares usually come into heat 5-10 days after foaling , it
companied by ovulation . foal heat last 1-10 days ,only mares free of infections
could be rebreed . Mares are sometime bred on the ninth day Breeding at this time is
not recommended .
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___________________
.
After calving , Cows :
Cow will usually show their first estrous period 30-60 days after
parturition . Where feed is limited , the period between calving , and the
first estrus may be prolonged to 80-100 days or even longer .It is
recommended that dairy cows bred after 45 days .
After lambing , ewes :
Ewe are seasonal breeders ,and can not be bred immediately following lambing
.The first estrous period following lambing dose not occur until the breeding season
begins , in late summer or early fall .
After calving buffaloes cow :
--- Limited suckling buffaloes' cow show their first estrus period at 30 -60 days after
calving .
--- Free suckling buffaloes' cow show their first estrus period at 60 – 90 days after
calving .
.
.
After delivery:
.
she camel show their first estrus period 30 – 60 days post partum , and after
10 -12 days when she lose her baby.
Abnormalities of estrus and estrus cycle
-----------------------------------------------------Some females show almost continuous estrus for many days rather
than normal period of rest between estrus periods . Such female are
called nymphomaniacs . a term that indicates abnormal sexual desire .
It caused by cystic follicles that fail to rupture and more or less
continuously produce estrogen .
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Some cows fail to return to estrus even they are not pregnant
.This is due to a persistent corpus luteum that remains active for long
period and continues to secrete progesterone .
In some cows there is an interval of only 8-10 days between
estrus period ,rather than the usual 21 days .This due to the abnormally
early degeneration of the corpus luteum ,with an insufficient amount of
progesterone being produced to inhibit production of gonadotropins by
the pituitary gland .An early degeneration of the corpus luteum allows
growth of a new group of follicles sooner than normal. And estrus occurs
within a shorter period of time .
Other females may not show estrus at the first expected estrous
period following breeding , but she will show estrus at the second .This
estrus be skipped , One explanation for this situation is that pregnancy
might have been initiated ,but the developing embryo died and
reabsorbed after a few days .Or the cow came in to estrus but not
observed .
Sheep 's uterus involution (returned to normal size and tone) by 27 days
postpartum .
Cow's uterus involution by 45 days .
Estrus in mare
During estrus the vulva becomes larger and swollen ; the labial folds are loose
and readily open on examination . The vulva becomes scarlet or orange , wet,
glossy, and covered with a film of transparent mucus . Thin watery mucus may
accumulate in the vagina .During estrus, the cervix dilates enough to admit 2 to 4
fingers .During estrus ,the mare assumes a stance characteristic of urination .The
tail is raised , urine is expelled in small amount and the clitoris is exposed by
prolonged rhythmic contraction . In some mares , ovulation occurs even though
they do not show outward signs of estrus ( quiet estrus) although twin ovulations
occur 2- 5 % of the time, depending on breed and season .Twin ovulations seldom
result in delivery of two live foal .The mare will stand to be mounted by the
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stallion or the teaser male . Some times other mare will mount or attempt to
mount but this is in not too common in mares and rarely in buffalos' cow . Initial
symptoms will be mostly nervousness , walk great deal , and eat little . mare will
then show more sign of interest in stallion but resist any approaches on his part .
Urination is frequent and this is most noticeable in the presence of other horse
,mare will kick at the stallion . Mare becomes more nervous and may kick at the
stallion but squats , urinates ,followed by a winking motion of the vulva in which
the lips open , and close exposing the internal lips and the clitoris . Finally mare
becomes quieter in the presence of the stallion , raises her tail , squats , urinates ,
and winks the vulva .
Estrus in cow
Estrus in cow ,is often classified as standing or non standing. A cow
in standing estrus stand still to be mounted by other cows or bull .
Standing to be mounted is the most certain indicator of estrus . Her
vulva is swollen , and clear mucus often flows from the vulva ,and
become smeared on the tail or flanks .Physical activity increase on the
day of estrus , and milk production in dairy cow decreases .It last 18-20
hours. Mucus is sometime discharge on the day before as well as on the
day of estrus .
Estrus in ewes
Estrus in ewe is silent with out ward signs ,and shorter for ewes
lambs and young does in their first season. Estrus in yearlings is
intermediate in length . It is shortest near the beginning and the end of
the breeding season ,and shorter when the ram is with ewes continually
rather than intermittently .
Estrus in buffaloes
Estrus in buffaloes cows same as in cattle ,but mostly silent .
Buffaloes are less overt than in cow ,and the homosexual behavior
between females is rare .
_______________
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Pregnancy
--------------The period of gestation ,is the time in which the female carries
her developing young within the uterus .
The gestation period ranges from 140-150 days in the ewe .
The gestation period ranges from 272-292 days in the cow .
The gestation period ranges from 335-345 days in the mare .
The gestation period in camel 10 months .
While the fertilized ovum is moving through the Fallopian tube to the
uterus ,it survives upon yolk and uterine secretion( uterine milk )until
contact is made between the maternal and fetal membranes(
implantation) .
Implantation is a gradual process in farm mammals . That
implantation occurs
10-18 days after fertilization in ewe .
12-30 days after fertilization in the cow .
30-60 days after fertilization in the mare .
The outer layer of fetal membranes is called the chorion , it makes
contact with the maternal uterine tissues .in ruminant , Cow and ewe
the chorion attachment to the uterus is of a Cotyledon type .in which
contact is made only at certain points on the uterus rather than over its
entire surface area .
The placental attachment in the mare and sow is of a diffuse type .In
which contact with the uterus is made over most of the surface area of
the chorion .
Determine if a mare is in heat :
One can usually determine if a mare is in heat by trying her in the
presence of a stallion . the stallion is restrained by a halter or bridle .He
11
is allowed to tease the mare with a barrier such as a solid board fence ,
tease bar , or breeding stall between them .If the mare is in heat and
receptive to the stallion ,she may be bred .
The optimum time to breed mares :
--- If only a single service is given , is late in heat period .This is when
most ovulation occur .
--- To increase conception , one may breed some mares on alternate
days during estrus ,if the stallion is not being used too frequently on
other mares .
--- Quiet mare will stand for service , Nervous ones may have to be
twitched or hobbled to prevent movement and the possibility of their
injuring ( kicking ) the stallion .
The use of strong breeding hobbles or a properly constructed breeding
stall is recommended.
Only Healthy mares free of infection should be bred .Uterine infection
are indicated by birth of a diseased or dead foal , and retained placenta
. Infected mares should be treated and not bred until they return to a
healthy condition.
Pregnancy indication :
Pregnancy is indicated by the cessation of the usual estrous periods . If a
stallion is kept on the same farm ,it is desirable to check mares for
estrus on alternate days ,beginning the 15 days after breeding
.Pregnancy may diagnosed by rectal palpation or hormonal methods .
☼☼ Rectal palpation used for large females (Cow ,Mare ,buffaloes
cow …..).
☼☼ Hormonal methods are used for both large females (cow
,mare, ….) and small females (ewe ,does,……)
Mare……..PMSG hormone. As soon as 40-80 days of pregnancy
.IN blood or urine.
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Cow ,Buffalos……Progesterone hormone .
Ewe , Dose ……Progesterone hormone .
.
Women…… HCG hormone.
☼☼ a mare may carry her foal a year or more .At birth such young are
usually extra large , weak , and difficult to raise .
Management of the pregnant mare :
The average duration of gestation in the equine is 335 – 342 days .
--- Foal can be born as early as 305 days of gestation , but foal born
before 320 days of gestational age typically premature and not viable .
--- Expulsion of an equine fetus before day 300 of gestation is defined
an abortion .
--- Prematurity designates birth an underdeveloped foal between day
300 – 320 days of gestation .
--- Dyes' maturity designates birth of a full term but immature , and
often under sized foal .
--- Duration of gestation is exceedingly long , being 360 days or more
days in length :
No untoward effects on the fetus or mare , example, the fetus is
not oversized , is viable , and no increased risk of dystocia exists .These
long gestational periods have been hypothesized to be caused by the
ability of the equine conceptus to undergo a period of arrested
development during the first 2 month of gestation , and then to
reinitiate growth , and development .
--- There are seasonal effects on the duration of equine gestation , In
late Winter , and early Spring carrying their foal's approximately 5-10
days longer than mare who foal later in the breeding season ( Late
Spring or Summer ) .
Signs of approaching parturition
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A females ( mare , cow , ewe , … ) should be separated from the
rest of the herd 7-10 days before parturition.
Put into a maternity stall which has been :
--- cleaned , disinfected , and provided with plenty of bedding .
---To get antibodies agents' the antigen (microbial which causes
disease found normally in the room) . Then pass it to the new born
by the colostrums .
…….
Udder, often enlarging for several days . Becomes distended with
milk , milk may drip from the teats 24-48 hrs. before foaling
.Beads of wax from on the teat canal in some mares just before
foaling .
…….. The muscles around the tail head relax .
…….. The lips of the vulva become enlarged .
……. Restlessness is indicated by the successive lying down and rising
of the mare.
…….
Foaling usually occurs while the mare is lying .
…….
Calving usually occurs while the cow is standing .
……. Shortly before parturition , the fetal membranes ( water bag )
They rupture ,and soon the front feet and nose of the foal appear at the
vulva .
……. The normal and usual presentation of the foal is front legs first and
outstretched, with the head and chin resting between the front legs.
…… The back of the young should be near the top of the mare's pelvis.
☼☼ Any other presentation is abnormal and increases the probability
that the mare will require assistance for completion of the birth
process .
☼☼ If labor is too difficult and prolonged ( normal delivery time is 10 –
15 min . in mare ) a veterinarian should be called ….
13
☼☼ When foaling appears normal, it is better not to disturb the mare ,
although assistance may be given after the withers of the foal have
passed the rim of the pelvis .
☼☼ Pulling the legs downward and outward toward the mare's hocks
when labor pains occur is often helpful .
☼☼ Normal delivery requires only a few minutes , and delays (
especially more than 45 min. ) may result in death of the foal .
The After Birth Care
.☼☼--Placenta is usually expelled within 2 - 6 hrs .post foaling
…. IF it is retained longer than 6 hrs . veterinarian should be called
▼☼☼--The hindquarters , and tail of the mare should be washed , and
disinfected .
▼☼☼-- And the stall litter ,or other debris removed .
▼☼☼--This aids in preventing uterine infection.
☼☼--After foaling , the mare should be given small quantities of warm
water at frequent intervals .She should be fed lightly with a laxative
feed ( Bran mash mixed with oats is good ).
☼☼--The quantity of the first feed should be about one – half (1/2 ) the
normal ration , and this can be gradually increased to full – feed within a
7 or 10 days ,at which time the mare is switched to her regular diet
.Feed should be increased more rapidly for mares with an inadequate
milk supply .
THE FOAL
……After birth the mother( mare ,cow , ewe , … ) usually lick the ( foal
,calf ,lamb , …)
except camel's mother .(do not lick )
…….
this aids in drying the now born animal .
…….
Stimulates circulation , and breathing .
14
……. IF the mother fails to do this , the nostrils should be cleared of
mucus ,and the new born should be rubbed dry with a clean , dry ,cloth .
☼☼-- One should make certain that ( foal ,calf ,lamb … ) is
breathing after delivery .
☼☼--That all fetal membranes are removed from the mouth , and
nostrils.
If the foal, calf , lamb , … is not breathing
…..blowing into it's mouth .
…..tickling the nostril with a straw .
….. working the ribs in artificial respiration
……lifting the foal , calf, lamb … and dropping it gently to the
ground will often initiate the breathing process .
Navel care
--- Navel cord should be painted once with tincture of iodine soon
after birth to prevent entrance of infectious organisms . OR
--- OR Navel cord should be dusted with a drying powder
recommended by a veterinarian 2-3 time / daily to prevent entrance of
infection organisms until it dry and drops off .
Navel ill or Joint ill , A disease caused by navel infection ,is of a serious
nature in new foal .It is characterized by lameness and swollen joint .
Colostrums
colostrums is the secretion produced by the udder immediately after
parturition for 3- 4 days immediately post –partum , then return to
normal milk .
15
….The composition of colostrums is different from the composition
of normal milk .It is rich in gamma globulins (antibodies ) , Vitamins ( A
,D ) ,and minerals . and It is a natural laxative .
☼ ….Antibodies (globulins) do not pass from the mother's blood to the
embryo , against various disease organisms . Thus ,newborn must
ingest the gamma globulins from colostrums to acquire a passive
immunity against common newborn diseases . Thus the newborn
animal without colostrums is likely to succumb to infection . and that is
why pregnant female should not be milked before parturition .
Feeding colostrums after birth is especially critical during the first
24 to 36 hrs. of a new born life after this time ,enzymes in the digestive
tract degrade the antibodies ,and the permeability of the gut to
antibodies decreases .Thus ,they lose their effectiveness.
A strong , healthy foal should be standing 1/2 to 2 hrs. after birth
.The foal should not be encouraged to stand right away but rather
should be given plenty of time to stand on it own.
Before the foal is allowed to nurse ,the mother's udder should be
washed with a mild disinfectant and rinsed with clean water.
Some foals nurse almost immediately ,while others may need
assistance .A weak foal may be fed colostrums with a bottle and nipple .
Owners should watch for constipation and diarrhea in the foal the
first few days after birth and apply treatment if necessary .
The healthiest place for a mare and foal is a green pasture free of
other animals .Green grass is rich in nutrients that stimulate rapid
growth .
Many foals begin nibbling hay and grain by 2-3 weeks of age .The
foal should be encouraged to eat grain as soon as possible so that the
dietary transition changes at weaning will be easier .
16
WEANING
Foals are usually weaned at 5-6 months of age by being separated
from their mothers. The mother should be out of sight and sound range.
It is well to keep the foal in a box stall with another foal for a few days
until weaning is accomplished .Then several foals can be turned on
pasture together .They should be fed grain to keep them growing
.When possible , foals are kept separate from older horses .
HORSE COLTS
Horse colts may be castrated when only a few days of age ,but
most horsemen prefer to wait until they are approximately one year or
older ,because they believe this allows better body development and
greater vigor and strength .The older the horse at castration ,the greater
the danger of complications .Spring ,before hot weather and danger of
screwworms ,is an excellent time for castration .
THE YOUNG HORSE
Yearlings and two – year olds will develop rapidly and possess
sounder feet and legs if they are on pasture .
--- Periodic handling and grooming , together with leading and
training , are important .
---- If properly
trained during the nursing period , there will be very little training or
breaking , except riding , to do when the young horses are older .
-----It is desirable to teach the colt to lead at one month of age .
-----Handling and care of the feet at one month is good practice .
----It is also particularly important to control parasites ( external and
internal) in young horses .
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THE WORKING HORSE
Mature horses perform many jobs ----So it is difficult to make
specific recommendation for their care and management .They should
be fed adequately . be worked frequently ,have their feet properly
trimmed and shod , and have their health protected .
NUTRITION OF HORSES
------ Feed is an expensive item in raising and maintaining horses .
------ Ration should be adequate in both quality and quantity , yet
formulated as economically as possible.
------ The best ration for horses depends on availability and relative
costs of feeds .
------ Horses require the same food nutrients as other livestock .
------ These include CHO , FATs , PROTEINS ,MINERALS , VITAMINS ,and
WATER .
------ Grain , Dry forage ,and Pasture supply most of these nutrients .
Nutrient requirements of horses depend on :
Age , Size , Period of gestation , Stage of Lactation , and
Reproduction activity .
CONCENTRATE FEEDS
Oats , and Barley are palatable , and provide sufficient bulk to
prevent packing in the stomach (which causes colic ) .
---- good quality barley or oats have a high protein content and ,
when fed with timothy hay , make a good balanced ration for mature
horses .
Oats ,and hay may give high phosphorus – low calcium ratio and
thereby require calcium supplementation .
18
Corn ,when it is available in large supply and cheaper than other
concentrated feeds. Corn is heavy concentrated feed , lacks fiber , and
bulk .It must be supplied by good quality hay .It may be fed as ear or as
shelled corn but should not be ground . Finely ground corn form a solid
mass in the horse's stomach and often causes colic . also eaten more
quickly than whole corn .
Horses ,and Mules ( used for pulling ) a combination of ear corn ,oats
,and limited hay twice daily . (in the morning and at night ) .
Wheat is not a recommended feed for horses because it often causes
digestive disturbances. Wheat barn is a desirable feed for horses
because of it is bulk , palatability , nutrient content , and laxative
properties .
Linseed meal is the most popular feed for horses ( high protein . and
laxative properties ) . Soybean or cottonseed meal may replace linseed
meal in the ration .Molasses may be fed as an appetizer or conditioner
,and can replace a portion of the corn or oats fed to horses .
FORAGES
Bright green timothy hay is the most common dry forage fed to horses .
It is popular because it is usually free of dust and molds .
It is low in protein SO Should be fed with Concentrate or Protein
supplement .
Palliated feeds for horses are very popular they are convenient to
handle and feed wastage is minimized . They are useful as a feed for
horses having heaves ( difficult breathing ) .
PASTURE
--- It is the natural feed for horses .
--- It more nearly provides the nutritional needs of horses .
19
--- Horses doing little or no work can obtain all their nutrients from
grass .
--- Good pasture indispensable for brood mares , foals , and young
horses .
Salt and Mineral
working horse has an additional dietary need for salt ( NaCl)
because it may lose 75 g or more daily through sweat and urine .
----- A horse's need for salt may be met by having block or granular salt
available at all times .
----- Granular salt may be included in the diet at the rat of 1 to 2 oz
daily .
----- Pregnant mares , Lactating mares , Foal , and Young Growing
horses require additional calcium ( Ca ) , phosphorus , and vitamin D .
(milk production and the growth of bones make these requirement
high ) .
------ Iodine should be provided to pregnant mares as iodized salt in
iodine deficient areas so that goiter is prevented in new born foal .
Vitamins
----- Horses receiving good pasture or high quality hay ( including
legumes) do not need supplemental vitamins .
----- Those confined for periods long and fed low quality roughage are
more likely to develop vitamin deficiencies .
----- such horses may be satisfied with suitable commercial
supplements .
---- Excess vitamins contribute nothing to the horse's health but are
merely an added expense .
---- B – complex vitamins are synthesized in the large intestine and
caecum of healthy horses.
21
---- a need for supplemental dietary thiamine has been demonstrated
when horses consume certain plans that contain thiamine , which
impairs the utilization of thiamine .
---- a low riboflavin in take appears to contribute to periodic
ophthalmic ( moon blindness ) .
---- Green plants and high quality legume hay are good sources of all B
–complex vitamins and also of vitamin A .
---- Vit. A is essential for good health of the epithelial tissues of the
eyes .
---- Vit. A is also necessary for proper bone growth and maintenance .
---- Vit. E supplements may improve fertility in horses .
Water
---- Horses should be supplied with fresh , clean drinking water at all
time .
---- Horses drink 10-12 gal . of water daily .
---- Additional water is needed when they are working or when the
weather is hot .
---- An inadequate water intake may cause impaction .
---- Horses should be permitted to drink only small amounts of water
while they are hot .or founder may result .
Feeding of Horses
---- Horses vary widely in the amount of feed required to maintain
weight and condition .
---- Defective teeth and / or parasite infestation increase feed
requirements .
---- A rule of thumb for feeding a horse doing
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light work is 1 lb of grain and 1 lb of hay daily per 100 lb body weight .
Horse usually requires only one – half ( 1/2 ) this amount of grain .
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ridden or driven hard 1 to 1 lb grain and 1 lb hay daily per 100 lb
body weight .
A stallion used heavily for breeding purposes fed same as heavy work .
Brood mares , nursing mare , a foal do well on high quality pasture
alone .
In winter , brood mares should be fed small amount of grain in addition
to dry forage .
Young horses ( weaning – 2 years of age ) should be fed sufficient
amounts to maintain good condition .They may gain satisfactorily if fed
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lb of grain per 100 lb body weight daily when fed on pasture or fed good
quality hay . This amount should be increased to 1 lb if pasture or hay is
of inferior quality .
Training and growing of horses
Common defects and unsoundness in horses
Blemishes and unsoundness
Stable vices and other bad habits
Determining the age of horses
Disease and parasite control
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