STABLE MANAGEMENT

By Eleanor Blazer

Welcome to the course Stable Management. The goal of this course is to prepare students for managing an equine stable. The main focus will be the management of a stable that is operating as a business. But the information will also be of benefit to owners who are caring for their own horses.

For a more in-depth study of certain topics I will recommend other courses in the program. For long-time horse owners or existing students some of the material in this course will be a review. Nutrition, health care, safety and grooming are all part of managing a stable. This course strives to put it all together and apply the knowledge.

LESSON ONE

The Horse

The stable manager should have general knowledge about horses. This includes breeds, physical characteristics, the ability to identify parts of the horse and a basic knowledge of equine behavior.

¤ HORSE BASICS

I. Identifying a Horse

Breed is defined as a group with common ancestry and characteristics. The most common characteristics are visual, such as conformation, color, markings, and size, while others, such as disposition, are not physical and yet are still common to the specific breed.

You may also identify a horse by “unnatural markings” such as scars or brands.

Type is usually defined by the use or purpose of the horse. The most easily recognizable types are draft horses, ponies, and light horses. Below is a table of common breeds and characteristics.

Breed	Characteristics	Common Use
Arabian	Avg. 14.2–15 h Concave head, distinguished tail set	Show, Endurance, Sport, Harness
American Saddlebred	Avg. 15-16 h Long arched neck, flat back, high tail, performer	Work, Harness, Show
Appaloosa	Avg. 14.2-16 h Special color patterns, white sclera, striped hooves	Show, Sport, Work
Morgan	Avg. 14.2-15.2 solid, stylish, well crested neck, short broad back	Show, Harness, Work
Paint/Pinto	Avg. 15-16 h Special color patterns, combination of breeds	Show, Sport, Work
Quarter Horse	Avg. 14.2-16 h Heavy muscular, quiet disposition, stocky	Show, Work, Harness, Sport
Draft (Belgian)	Avg. 15-16 h Calm, solid body, heavy muscular, easygoing	Work, Harness, Show
Pony (Shetland, Welsh)	Avg. 14.2 & under Strong, spirited, head refined, intelligent	Harness, Show, Sport
Standardbred	Avg. 15.3-16 h long & low body, powerful build, independent	Racing, Harness, Show, Sport
Norwegian Fjord	Avg. 13-14 h Stocky, muscular, dorsal stripe, dun coloring	Harness, Show, Work
Thoroughbred	Avg. 16-16.2 h Tall, lean, physical/mental stamina, long, refined	Racing, Show

For additional information on these breeds and others please visit:

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/horse-breeds

HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE/BODY CONDITION SCORE

Height

There are special measuring sticks to determine a horse’s height. (The measurement is taken from the ground to the highest point of the withers.) The height of horses is referred to as “hands,” plus one, two or three inches. A horse is said to be 14.3, meaning he is 14 hands, three inches.

A hand equals 4 inches, so you would not say a horse is 14.4; instead, he would be 15 hands, which is about average. A horse 14.2 hands or less is considered a pony.

Accurate height measurements are needed if your client is showing in competition with mandatory and enforced height limits. For example – Pony of the Americas require ponies measure between 45 and 56 inches. The P.O.A. cannot be shown or registered if over height. All P.O.A.’s are inspected at the age of five.

Weight

Approximate weight of a horse is needed for administering dewormers, medications and calculating amount to be fed.

The formula for determining a horse’s body weight is:

Adult horses:

Heart girth measurement in inches, squared (the number multiplied by itself) times his length divided by 330.

(The heart girth measurement is taken just behind the elbow, around the barrel, and up over the withers. Keep the tape snug, but not tight. The length measurement is taken from the point of the shoulder blade to the point of the buttocks.)

Foals one to 6 weeks of age:

Heart girth measurement in inches subtract 25.1 divide by .07

Locations for using the formula

Weight tapes are not accurate and can be off by as much as 100 pounds. A scale designed for weighing horses is the most accurate method used to weigh a horse, but availability is limited.

Body Condition Score

Horses are given a “body score” which indicates whether or not they are thin, satisfactory in weight or obese. This will aid the stable manager in deciding the best diet for the horse.

The body condition score chart is used to evaluate body condition of the horse by rating the amount of fat covering certain parts of the body.

The parts of the horse examined are the (1.) crest of the neck, (2.) either side of the withers, (3.) behind the elbow – girth area, (4.) ribs, (5.) loins and (6.) tailhead. The areas should be inspected visually and felt with the hand. Click here to see picture.

The scoring system is:

1. Poor

A walking skeleton. The horse is emaciated with no sign of body fat. The tops of the vertebrae (spinous processes), ribs, tailhead, point of hip (tuber coxae), and the point of the buttocks (ischii) project prominently. The bone structure of the withers, shoulders, and neck is easily seen. Click here to see picture.

2. Very Thin

Emaciated. There is a slight covering of fat over the base of the vertebrae. The broad flat lateral bones projecting from the lumbar vertebrae (transverse processes) feel rounded. Vertebrae, ribs, tailhead, points of hips, and buttocks are prominent. The structure of the withers, shoulders, and neck structure is faintly discernible. Click here to see picture.

3. Thin

There is fat buildup about halfway on the vertebrae, but they can still be seen. The lumbar vertebrae cannot be felt. There is some fat over the ribs, but they are still easily visible. The tailhead is prominent, but the individual vertebrae cannot be seen. The points of the buttocks are not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders, and neck are accentuated. Click here to see picture.

4. Moderately Thin

There is a slight ridge along the back. A faint outline of ribs can still be seen. Depending upon conformation the tailhead may be prominent, but some fat can be felt around it. The points of hips and buttocks are not discernible. The withers, shoulders, and neck are not thin in appearance. Click here to see picture.

5. Moderate

The back is flat with no crease or ridge. Ribs are not visible, but can be felt with very slight pressure. Fat around the tailhead feels somewhat spongy. Fat along the withers and over the top of the back vertebrae make them somewhat rounded. The shoulders and neck blend smoothly into the body. Click here to see picture.

6. Moderately Fleshy

There may be a slight crease beginning to form down the back. The fat over the ribs will feel spongy and the fat around the tailhead will be soft. Fat will be starting to form along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders, and along the sides of the neck. Click here to see picture.

7. Fleshy

There may be a slight crease down the back. Individual ribs can be felt, but there is a noticeable filling of fat between them. The fat around the tailhead is soft. There are deposits of fat along the withers, behind the shoulders, and along the neck. Click here to see picture.

8. Fat

There is a crease down the back. It is difficult to feel ribs. The fat around the tailhead is very soft. The withers and area behind the shoulders are filled in with fat. The neck is thick with fat and fat deposits are along the inner thighs. Click here to see picture.

9. Extremely Fat

There is an obvious crease down the back. Patches of fat cover the ribs. There is bulging fat around the tailhead, along the withers, behind the shoulders, and along the neck. The inner thighs may rub together and the flank will be filled with fat. Click here to see picture.

(Body Condition Score pictures courtesy of Buckeye Nutrition.)

How much weight a horse carries is sometimes up to the preference of the horse owner. Different disciplines (for example: racing) require different body types. A race horse may have a body condition score of four, but be very fit and muscular. Generally a body condition score of five is the ideal. Just like humans, horses that are over or under weight can have health issues.

Basic nutrition will be covered in lesson eight. For a more in-depth study about equine nutrition take the online course Nutrition for Maximum Performance.

Age

The exact age of a horse need not be known if you have a good approximation. The following poem provides a good guide to a horse’s age.

To tell the age of any horse,

Inspect the lower jaw, of course

The sixth front tooth the tale will tell,

And every doubt and fear dispel.

Two middle “nippers” you behold

Before the colt is two weeks old.

Before eight weeks, two more will come

Eight months, the “corners” cut the gum.

Two outside grooves will disappear

From middle two in just one year.

In two years from the second pair;

In three years the corners, too, are bare.

At two, the middle nippers drop

At three, the second pair can’t stop.

When four years old, the third pair goes;

At five a full new set he shows.

The deep black spots will pass from view,

At six years, from the middle two.

The second pair at seven years;

At eight the spot each corner clears.

From middle nipper, upper jaw,

At nine the black spots will withdraw.

The second pair at ten are white;

Eleven finds the corners light.

As time goes on, the horsemen know,

The oval teeth, three sided grow;

They longer get, project before,

Till twenty, which we know no more.

COLORS

Horses can be described by their colors and further be identified by the white markings on the face and body. Click on this link to see coat colors.

Some of the more common coat colors and markings are:

Brown: Brown horses have a mixture of black and brown in the coat. In Europe, a "bay" is considered to be a brown horse.

Bay: Bay horses can be any shade of brown, with points such as the tail, mane, muzzle and lower legs being black.

Black: Black horses are completely black, that includes the muzzle and flanks. Most horses that appear black are actually very dark bay horses.

Chestnut: Chestnut horses have brown skin and the hair appears red. When the mane and tail are the same color as the body, the horse can be called, “sorrel”. When the mane and tail are lighter colored, the horse is a chestnut with “flaxen” mane and tail. Very dark chestnut is called "liver chestnut".

Gray: Gray horses’ are actually a mixture of black and white hairs on black skin. "Dappled gray" looks multicolored, while grays with clusters of darker hair which sometimes include a reddish brown, are called "flea bitten".

MARKINGS

Many horses are identified by markings on their faces and legs.

Some of the most common markings are:

Face

Blaze: A white mark over the forehead and the length of the face. The term "bald face" is used to describe the blaze if it covers the entire front of the face.

Strip: A narrow white mark running down the face.
Star: A patch of white on the forehead.
Snip: A white patch on the muzzle area.

Click here to see common face markings.

Leg Markings

Sock: White on a leg up to fetlock.

Half Stocking: White part way up to the cannon bone.
Stocking: White on a leg, from hoof to hock or knee.

Pastern: White on leg from hoof to fetlock.

Coronet: White around coronet, just at the top of the hoof.

Click here to see common leg markings.

II. PARTS OF THE HORSE

You should know and be familiar with the parts of the horse. Please click on this link to see the Parts of the Horse.

To test yourself on parts of the horse bookmark this link:

http://www.learningabouthorses.com/course/begin/horse_parts_quiz_FP.html

Practice several times a day until you can identify each part. Knowing the parts will assist you in describing an injury to a veterinarian or owner, should the need arise (and it will).

1. Everyone who handles a horse should know the parts of the hoof.

III. HORSE SENSES AND BEHAVIORS

A. CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES

Horses have distinctive and intriguing characteristics which have contributed to their development, survival and present day use. These characteristics range from being very social to being considered a prey species within the animal kingdom. This understanding and knowledge plays a critical role in providing a safe environment for the horses under your care. The more you know about the natural behaviors of horses and why they do what they do, the better stable manager you will become.

1. Horse Instincts

The horse has six natural instincts. Knowing and understanding those instincts will help you interpret the horse’s thinking and actions or reactions.

The natural instincts are, in order of dominance:

a. The herd instinct: Horses want to be with other horses…they feel safe in a herd when they know the herd has a leader.

b. The following instinct: Horses want to obey their leader. Horses seek what we all seek, the acceptance and praise on someone they respect. When they respect the handler, they are very happy to “follow” and obey.

c. The love of routine. Horses want to eat at the same time, work at the same time, and do the same things when they work. They love to eat, be groomed, work, be groomed and eat. That’s a great routine.

d. Horses have a natural inclination to be lazy. They don’t like to work excessively since they never know when they may have to run for their lives…so they want to be rested. Never work a horse until he gets hot and always allow plenty of rest.

e. Horses are naturally excitable and nervous. Being a prey animal, horses are always on the alert. Is it not good to be a prey animal that is dull and unaware of what is occurring around you.

f. Finally, horses have courage. This is the least strong of the natural instincts, so it must be cultivated by the horse handler. Once the horse has gained trust in the handler and respects the handler as his leader, a horse will do almost anything to please. Never violate the trust a horse places in you.

2. Senses

The senses influence the horse’s behavior, making him distinct from other species. Some of these senses are:

a. Vision

Because the horse is a prey animal, he has a large field of vision so he can see predators early enough to outrun them. Horses are able to do this with their nearly 360-degree vision, enhanced by large eyes placed at the corner of the head.

Horses have the ability to see with each eye (monocular vision) independently so they can see what is happening on each side of their body. Horses also have binocular (using both eyes to focus on the same subject) vision. The position of the horse’s head determines his range of vision, which because of eye placement is limited when viewing objects closer than a meter directly in front of the face. For example, when his head is in the grazing position, a horse’s vision has blind spots directly in front and behind them.

b. Hearing & Smell

A horse’s sense of hearing and smell are well developed, enabling the horse to be aware of subtle differences in the environment. This is why some horses are unsettled when the weather changes. They are keen to unfamiliar sounds and will usually remember the sound. Horses use their sense of smell in a number of ways, such as identifying other horses, humans and food. A horse’s sense of hearing and smell is often far better than humans and is used in conjunction with other senses to survive.

c. Touch

A horse’s sense of touch is used when communicating with others and to determine aspects of his environment. Horses primarily touch with their muzzle; for example, searching for objects they cannot see, such as feed in a bucket. Horses, of course, feel grooming, small pressures exerted by a rider, and the pressure of the bit in the mouth.

d. Taste

The sense of taste is not as defined as other senses; however, we know horses like sweet to salty feed. They also are known to like bitter herbs that are found in pastures.

e. Sixth Sense or Perception

Horses have a great “sixth sense,” and “sense” danger before it arrives. They are also very sensitive to the moods of their handlers and riders.

3. Communication

Horses communicate and “signal” through tangible body language, which includes some of the following:

· Ears: forward = listening ahead; slightly back = listening behind; pinned back = aggressive and mad; all around = listening all directions.

· Body Language: stomping legs, swishing tail, shaking head, turning hindquarters = irritation. Head down, ears slightly back, lower lip hanging, hind hoof rested, eyes partially closed = relaxed state.

· Bucking/Rearing: depending on environment could be playful, or frightened. Use other signals from the horse to determine their state of mind.

· Vocal: squeals and grunts = aggression or excitement; snorts = interested or potential danger; whinny = separation or excitement; nicker = anticipation of being fed, or mare reassurance to foal. Nicker generally means “come to me,” which is what your horse says when you are bringing his feed or a treat.

These are important behaviors and communications that you should recognize in order to provide a safe environment.

4. Stable Vices & How to Correct

A vice is an abnormal behavior that usually shows up in a stable environment resulting from lack of exercise, confinement or poor management. A vice can affect a horse’s health, dependability and usefulness.

A bad habit is a behavior that is not desired and is the result of the lack of understanding of the horse and inconsistencies in the care of the horse.

If you are to deal with vices and bad habits you must understand what causes them. Until you understand the cause, it is not possible to effectively correct the problem. When vices and bad habits are ignored, the result is an unhappy horse and an unsafe environment.

Visit: www.horsekeeping.com/horse_behavior/vices_chart.htm

For a detailed study about horse behavior take the online course Understanding Equine Behavior taught by Dr. Jennifer Williams. Click here for more information.

Assignment:

1. Write a short description about these three horse breeds:

1. Boer

2. Dutch Warmblood

3. Haflinger

2. Send me four pictures of a horse (front, back and both sides). Tell me the height, weight, body condition score, color and markings. Please include the name and age of the horse.

3. Send a video of you showing the parts of the horse. Start with the poll and work your way around. Use a live horse for your demo. Click here for an example.

4. Write a short essay about any vices, habits and special behavioral characteristics your demo horse may have.

Please send your report and pictures to elblazer@horsecoursesonline.com Please load the video to a video hosting site such as YouTube. Send me the links.

There is no quiz for this lesson.