Care Guidelines FOR EQUINE RESCUE AND RETIREMENT FACILITIES - American Association of Equine Practitioners
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A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f E q u i n e P r a c t i t i o n e r s
Care Guidelines
FOR EQUINE RESCUE AND RETIREMENT FACILITIESAAEP Care Guidelines for
Rescue and Retirement Facilities
2019 Edition Developed by the Following Members
of the Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council
John W. Lee, Jr., DVM
Brad Tanner, DVM
Alina Vale, DVM
The AAEP gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Peter Morresey, BVSc, Sarah Ralston,
VMD, PhD, Lydia Gray, DVM, Andrew G. Lang, DVM, and Nathan M. Slovis, DVM, to the
development of these guidelines. In addition, the AAEP thanks the American Horse Council for
permission to include material from the AHC’s “Care and Handling Guidelines for Horse Owners.”
Published by
The American Association of
Equine Practitioners
4033 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
First Edition 2004
Second Edition 2007
Third Edition 2012
Fourth Edition 2019
© 2019 American Association of Equine PractitionersAAEP Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I: Basic Health Management..............................................................Page 3 Chapter II: Nutrition.......................................................................................Page 6 Chapter III: Basic Hoof Care.........................................................................Page 13 Chapter IV: Caring for the Geriatric Horse...................................................Page 15 Chapter V: Shelter, Stalls & Horse Facilities..................................................Page 18 Chapter VI: Pastures, Paddocks & Fencing....................................................Page 19 Chapter VII: Euthanasia................................................................................Page 21 Chapter VIII: The Bottom Line: Welfare of the Horse...................................Page 23 Appendix 1: Henneke Body Scoring System..................................................Page 24 Appendix 2: Resources..................................................................................Page 2 Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 1
INTRODUCTION
Rescue and retirement facilities play a vital Equine veterinarians play an important role
role in providing lifelong care and/or finding in the care of the animals at rescue and retire-
new owners for horses, or other equidae, that ment facilities. They can offer valuable advice
may be considered “unwanted” or have been on many aspects of equine management, from
subjected to neglect or abuse. NOTE: For the disease prevention to basic nutrition, from
purposes of this document, the term “horse” is emergency medical attention to routine health
used to refer to all equidae. The AAEP recog- maintenance procedures. It is important that
nizes and commends the important services facilities establish a good relationship with an
these facilities provide to the horses and indi- equine veterinarian for the benefit of all, and
viduals who benefit from their work. especially for the benefit of the horses.
Recognizing the importance of equine The guidelines presented in this manual are
rescue and retirement facilities, the AAEP has for informational use only and should not be
developed care guidelines in order to provide considered legally binding. Because appropriate
guidance about the care of a horse throughout horse care practices may vary due to climate,
its life. While principles of basic horse care and region, use and many other factors, the guide-
management apply to all horses regardless of lines are intentionally broad. For answers to
their situation, those horses entering rescue or specific questions, owners, employees, and
retirement facilities may arrive with unique volunteers at rescue and retirement facilities are
health challenges. For these reasons, employ- encouraged to consult their veterinarians.
ees and volunteers should understand and
appreciate basic horse care as well as be able
to recognize health conditions that may require
medical attention from a veterinarian.
2 American Association of Equine PractitionersI. Basic Health Management
Caring for New Arrivals Vital Signs for a 1,200 Lb (545 Kg)
Every horse entering a rescue/retirement Horse at Rest at 60º F
facility should receive a complete physical Vital Sign Normal Range Average
examination upon its arrival. All incoming Rectal 99.5-101.5° F 100° F
horses also should be checked for identification. Temperature (37.5-38.5° C) (38.0° C)
Permanent identification (e.g., microchipping, 30-42 beats/ 36 beats/
lip tattoo, freeze branding) of each horse is an Pulse
minute minute
economical, humane and unalterable track-
Respiration 12-20 breaths/ 16 breaths/
ing mechanism for a horse, and is included as
Rate minute minute
part of the admissions procedures for many
facilities. A health record must be established
for each horse, clearly identifying the horse by Preventive Health Care is a Necessity
name and/or number, age, gender and descrip- Rescue/retirement facilities should consult
tion. Medication and treatments should be with a veterinarian to develop a sound, integrated
given only under the direction of a veterinarian health care program appropriate to the facility
and recorded in the horse’s health record. and environment. Previous health records, if
Horses may be susceptible to transporta- available, can assist a veterinarian in making
tion stress and disease following transport to a recommendations that are most appropriate for
rescue/retirement facility. On arrival, new horses the horse’s needs, and should be requested.
should be isolated from resident horses to prevent
the possible spread of disease, preferably for Parasite Control
2-3 weeks. Handlers should carefully monitor A parasite control program, one of the most
recently transported horses for several days after important management matters to be considered,
long-distance transport. The rectal temperature of must be established in consultation with a vet-
these horses should be recorded daily for several erinarian. An effective program will include the
days, and if not normal, the temperature should administration of chemical deworming agents,
be recorded at least twice daily, i.e. morning and as well as manure and pasture management.
evening. If a horse’s temperature exceeds the Indiscriminate use of deworming agents is not
normal range, a veterinarian should be consulted. advisable, as it adds to the growing problem of
parasite resistance to such agents. With veterinary
Monitoring Your Horses guidance, utilizing such tools as fecal egg counts
Frequent observation of the horses in a to optimize use of dewormers, an effective and
rescue/retirement facility is paramount to economical parasite control program can be
ensure that they remain healthy. Horses should designed while minimizing parasite resistance.
be observed routinely, at least once every 24
hours, paying particular attention during high- Vaccination
risk periods (e.g., inclement weather, foaling, Administering the appropriate vaccinations
introduction of new animals). The following is another tool which assists in controlling
table provides vital signs for an adult 1,200- common infectious diseases of the horse. The
pound (545 kg) horse at rest at 60ºF. These specific immunizations needed by a particular
criteria will vary according to age, physical group of horses depends upon several factors,
fitness and environmental conditions. Younger including environment, age, breed, sex, use,
horses tend to be at the higher end of the range. exposure risk, geographic location and general
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 3management.11 Consult your veterinarian • Surgical scrub and antiseptic solution
to determine the most effective vaccination • Latex gloves
program for your facility’s horses. • Flashlight and spare batteries
• Permanent marker pen
Dental Care • Shoe pullers (to pull loose shoes, or
A veterinarian should examine horses’ imbedded nails on the advice of the
teeth at least annually. Uneven wear and other veterinarian)
dental abnormalities should not be allowed to
interfere with normal eating habits. Dental care * Include sterile pads
will depend on age, nutrition and environment.
Dental care must be performed by a veterinar- Special Considerations
ian or under veterinary supervision. The AAEP encourages the castration of
all stallions entering a rescue/retirement facil-
Be Prepared for an Emergency ity. Castration and other surgical procedures
Caregivers at rescue/retirement facilities must be conducted by licensed veterinarians
must know how to recognize serious problems, using accepted surgical techniques in accord-
respond promptly, and take appropriate action ance with state and federal veterinary acts and
while awaiting the arrival of the veterinarian.2 regulations.
It is advisable to keep a list of available veteri- Distressed horses should be dealt with
narians in case of an emergency. Rescues should humanely, effectively and promptly to prevent
also maintain list of contacts and protocols for suffering. Sick or injured horses must receive
fire, theft and natural disaster. veterinary attention as quickly as possible
All rescue/retirement facilities should Horses unable to rise need immediate veteri-
prepare a first aid kit and store it in a clean, dry nary attention. Veterinary consultation must be
and readily accessible place. While a first aid kit sought prior to any attempt to move a downed
can be simple or elaborate, the following items horse.
are highly recommended: Evidence of any reportable disease, such as
West Nile virus, Equine Herpes virus, Vesicular
• Cotton roll Stomatitis, Equine Piroplasmosis, Equine Infec-
• Contact bandage tious Anemia or Rabies, must immediately be
• Gauze or cotton secondary dressing brought to the attention of a veterinarian. Any
• Gauze pads, assorted sizes* disease that appears to spread from a horse to a
• Gauze wrap human should be reported.
• Adhesive wrap and adhesive tape
• Leg wraps Signs of disease that should be discussed
• Bandage scissors with your veterinarian include but are not
• Hemostats limited to:
• Steel cup or container • Severe, unexplained, persistent or recur-
• Rectal thermometer rent fevers
• Unexplained weight loss or progressive
weakness
1
“Principles of Vaccination.” AAEP Guide- • Thick vaginal discharge
lines. Updated 2015. https://aaep.org/ • Abortion
guidelines/vaccination-guidelines • Neurological signs such as incoordination,
erratic behavior, abnormal postures or
4 American Association of Equine Practitionershypersensitivity Control of flying insects, rodents and birds
• Inability to rise within any equine facility must be a priority.
• Difficulty breathing, spasmodic coughing Flying insects such as biting flies and mosqui-
or frothy nasal discharge toes not only create a nuisance and interfere
• Soft swelling of the face or neck with grazing activity, but can transmit or spread
• Lameness infectious diseases to horses and humans. A
• Wounds sanitation program must also be developed to
• Eye problems effectively remove manure and waste in order
• Colic to prevent accumulation of pests and environ-
• Blisters or open sores on the lips, mouth, mental contamination of water. Dead horses
genitalia or above the hooves. must immediately be removed and disposed
of in an appropriate manner, as required by
Separate, isolated quarantine housing municipal, state or federal regulations.
should be provided for any sick horse(s) to
prevent spread to the rest of the herd. Anything
that touches an infected horse, its manure or
bodily secretions can carry and spread infec-
tious disease. Best management practices, such
as biosecurity procedures, must be followed as
described in the AAEP Biosecurity Guidelines.23
2
Biosecurity Guidelines. AAEP website, 2018.
https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/
BiosecurityGuidelines_Sept2018.pdf
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 5II. Nutrition
Formulating a feeding program for a horse There is rarely a need for horses in rescue
should take into account the horse’s state of and retirement facilities to be fed high-grain
health, geographic location, medical history, (high-energy) diets. If such diets are selected,
exercise/use, previous diet and individual attention should be paid to avoid nutrition-
metabolism. Special recommendations for related health problems, such as grain overload,
feeding a starved horse are found at the end of laminitis, gastric ulcers or obesity. To avoid
this chapter. A veterinarian, perhaps assisted by major health problems, such as colic, any
an equine nutritionist, should be consulted to changes in diet in regards to the type and
ensure current feeding programs are meeting quantity of feed offered should be introduced
each animal’s needs. gradually over a period of several days.
Supplemental feeds used in the horse’s
General Feed Requirements ration should be free of spoilage, toxic insects
A horse’s daily diet should be adequate to or contaminants such as weeds, dust and molds.
maintain health and normal body functions, When they are fed in groups, some horses
and should be fed on a regular daily schedule. may “bully” other horses and prevent them
In its natural state, the horse eats a variety of from eating. This may lead to some horses’
forages (mainly grasses) to meet its nutritional overeating and becoming obese, while others
needs. Due to the small size of its stomach, the may become thin and malnourished, even if
horse will normally consume its daily intake adequate feed is being supplied. To prevent
over 16 to 20 hours. When confined, horses such problems, adequate manger space or
should be fed at least twice daily; however, separate feeding areas should be available to
there appears to be no nutritional benefit when minimize competition for feed. Group-fed
horses are fed more than three times daily. horses should have simultaneous access to
Horses should be fed a forage-based diet feeders so that all can eat at one time. Horses
(hay or pasture). For most mature horses that “bully” others should be separated from
that are not competing, a forage-based diet is less dominant horses to ensure that the less
usually adequate to meet caloric needs. Grain dominant horses receive adequate nutrition.
supplementation should be rarely needed. Fresh All feeds and supplements should be prop-
forage (pasture) can seasonally provide most of erly labeled and stored appropriately to avoid
the horse’s nutritional needs, and may be sup- misuse. Owners and operators of rescue and
plemented with dry forage (hay). retirement facilities would be well-advised to
Pasture provides additional health benefits consult with their veterinarian, equine nutri-
to horses, allowing them to move and exercise tionist or agricultural extension nutritionist
freely. Regular pasture turnout should be part prior to implementing nutritional supplements;
of a horse’s daily routine, unless otherwise such supplements may significantly increase the
directed by a veterinarian. In certain areas, min- cost of care for the horses, but may not provide
erals and trace minerals may be lacking (e.g., significant nutritional benefit. Feeds designed
selenium in parts of the northern United States), for other species, particularly medicated feeds
and supplementation may be required, ideally and those containing urea, are unsuitable for
as directed by a veterinarian, equine nutritionist horses. Feed troughs and buckets should be
or agricultural extension nutritionist. cleaned regularly.
6 American Association of Equine PractitionersSupplementary Feeds (this information should be printed on the label,
Cereal grains such as oats, corn and barley along with an analysis of ingredients). Discuss
should be rarely needed for most horses at these guidelines with your veterinarian. In
rescue and retirement facilities. Grains should operations where small numbers of horses have
only be added to the horse’s diet to meet extra similar supplementary feeding needs, premixed
energy needs, such as those associated with balanced feeds can save the facility work and
strenuous exercise, late pregnancy, lactation, ensure continuity of diet.
growth, and occasionally to help maintain When feeding commercially blended feeds
proper weight, or during convalescence or or grains, care should be taken to ensure the
recovery from surgery. Cereal grains should average horse has access to its minimum daily
always be measured by weight rather than forage intake (fiber) requirement of 1.5 – 2% of
volume when feeding (e.g., 1 pound, rather bodyweight per day.
than 1 “coffee can”), as there are marked When horses are working and sweating,
differences in densities, not only among types salt (sodium chloride) and possibly other
of grains, but also within different processing electrolytes may need to be supplemented. All
types such as cracking, rolling or flaking of the horses should have free access to a white salt
same grain. block. Advice on mineral deficiencies peculiar
Corn and barley have a higher energy value to any grazing area should be sought from a
than oats, and provide more calories on a per veterinarian or local extension nutritionist, and
weight basis than do oats, and thus may be addressed accordingly.
easier to overfeed. Barley’s energy value lies
between that of corn and oats. Its hard husk Calculating Horse Bodyweight
needs to crushed or cracked to aid digestion. Before accurate feed calculations can be
Young and growing horses have increased made, the bodyweight of the horse should
protein requirements compared to older horses. be estimated. Bodyweight assessment is also
There are many ways to increase protein in a required when medicines, including dewormers,
horse’s ration, including feeding alfalfa hay. are administered.
High protein (>20%) grain byproduct meals The most accurate method of determin-
such as soybean are often included in rations ing bodyweight is the use of electronic scales.
for young and growing horses and also increase Weight tapes also can be useful in estimating a
the protein content of the ration. They should horse’s body weight. While they may not give
be fed in small amounts and introduced gradu- an accurate absolute measurement, they can be
ally. Linseed meal is not an appropriate protein very effectively used to see if a horse is gaining
supplement for growing horses because it is low or losing weight. For those without scales, the
in the amino acid lysine, which is essential for Henneke Body Scoring System can help the
normal development. average horseman, with practice, to establish
Many brands of blended horse feeds are and track changes in a horse’s body condition.
on the market. Following the manufacturer’s The “ideal” body condition is said to be when
feeding guidelines provides a simple method the horse’s ribs can be easily felt, but not seen.
of dietary supplementation recommendations See Appendix 1 for this scoring system.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 7Determining Feed Requirements for maintenance needs by up to 30%. The horses’
Each Horse temperaments should also be taken into
The amount of feed required by an average account; nervous or highly-strung horses may
horse is made up of two factors: require more energy than do quiet horses of the
same bodyweight. The following table will help
• Maintenance needs, that is, the amount of calculate the necessary daily ration based on
feed that is required to keep the horse in level of activity.
good health.
• Activity needs (which include rate of Expected Total Ration Consumption by Horses
work, growth, lactation and pregnancy) Class Total Consumption %
and environmental needs (such as extreme Bodyweight
cold or heat). Maintenance 1.5 – 2.0
Early Gestation 1.5 – 2.0
Both requirements must be satisfied in order Late Gestation 2.0 – 3.0
to maintain ideal body condition and weight.
Working 1.5 – 3.0
Every horse should be offered daily a sufficient
Weanling 2.0 – 3.0
and appropriate ration of feed to maintain its
body condition score at between 4 and 6 points Yearling 2.0 – 3.0
on the Henneke condition score chart. Two-year-old 1.8 – 2.5
Maintenance Needs Adapted from Nutrient Requirements of
Maintenance feed is the amount required Horses: Sixth Revised Edition (NRC), Com-
to maintain the normal horse’s body condition mittee on Nutrient Requirements of Horses,
at rest. “At rest” means that physical activity National Research Council, Washington, DC:
is no more than is expected of a healthy horse. 2007
Maintenance requirements are being met when
an idle, mature horse maintains its normal Nutrition of the Pregnant Mare
weight. Examples of horses with no more than It is not common for rescue and retirement
maintenance nutritional requirements include facilities to receive pregnant mares. However,
horses being rested from their usual work, most if such mares are received, the non-working,
horses at rescue/retirement facilities, learners’ non-lactating pregnant mare does not require
horses that rarely get into a canter, and pleasure an increase in feed above maintenance during
horses ridden at a relaxed pace for no more the first eight months of pregnancy. During
than one hour per day. the last three months of pregnancy, the extra
The average horse consumes approximately energy requirement, because of fetal growth
1.5 - 2% of its bodyweight daily, as dry matter and an increase in the mare’s weight, is about
of a palatable feed, to meet daily maintenance 0.5% of bodyweight, as dry matter, so the total
requirements. Regular condition scoring or dry matter feed requirement becomes approxi-
weighing will help establish any individual vari- mately 2.2% of bodyweight.
ation required from these general bodyweight It has been estimated that a normal
guidelines. mare will produce milk equivalent to 3% of
Individual horses may be subjected to bodyweight in early lactation and 2% in late
circumstances that affect their dietary main- lactation. The milk production of pony mares
tenance requirements. For example, periods is estimated at 4% in early lactation and 3%
of extremely cold weather may increase in late lactation. For example, this means an
8 American Association of Equine Practitioners1,100-pound mare (500kg) should produce 4 Because of problems such as tooth loss, peri-
gallons (15 liters) of milk per day in the first odontal disease and wear abnormalities, they
three months and 2 ½ gallons (10 liters) per may not be able to process normal forage and
day in the last three months prior to weaning. may require supplemental feeds to maintain
Producing milk requires extra protein and min- bodyweight, such as complete pelleted rations.
erals, and as a result, in dry matter intake, the This problem is more prevalent in older horses.
lactating mare’s nutritional needs are between Horses with abnormalities of the mouth should
0.5 – 1% higher than maintenance. be examined by a veterinarian and have appro-
Pregnant mares may also have additional priate corrective action taken. (Refer to Chapter
health needs, such as vaccination against equine IV for special considerations for the geriatric
herpesvirus-1. Rescue and retirement facilities horse.)
are encouraged to contact their veterinarians
for advice on caring for pregnant, postpartum, Overfeeding, Obesity and Laminitis
and lactating mares. (Founder)
Excessive energy intake, both acute and chron-
Nutrition of Growing Horses ic, is one of the causes of a common and crip-
Growing horses need feeding above that pling disease: laminitis. Laminitis affects the
which would be required to simply maintain feet of horses and disrupts the sensitive and
their body weight because they need additional insensitive laminae, which secure the coffin
“building blocks” for growth. The feed required bone to the hoof wall. “Founder” is a common-
will vary with factors such as the expected ly used name for this condition. It is important
mature weight, growth rate, age, and exercise. to note, however, that there are many causal
Young horses have a higher protein require- agents of laminitis, including stress, as well as
ment than do mature horses. Their feed should various disease conditions.
contain 13 to 15% protein as weanlings. Year- In order to avoid laminitis, horses should
lings may require 12 – 13% dietary protein, not be permitted to become overly fat. Some
and two-year-olds require about 11% dietary equines, particularly ponies and donkeys, are
protein. Young horses need approximately able to utilize energy in feeds very efficiently;
3% of their bodyweight as dry matter intake, other obese horses may be affected with a
depending on dietary ingredients. condition known as insulin resistance/equine
metabolic syndrome.31 Horses and ponies that
Special Needs of Aged, Sick and Injured Horses tend toward obesity (“easy keepers”) are con-
When horses are underweight, or are losing sidered to be more susceptible to laminitis, and
weight, despite being fed a diet that provides should have restricted access to grains (if grains
additional calories beyond those that should are fed at all), as well as spring and autumn
be required for maintenance, a veterinarian’s pastures, which can behigh in sugars. Low-
advice should be obtained and followed. A energy forages such as grass-type hays should
veterinarian, perhaps working together with an be fed in preference to higher energy legume
equine nutritionist or county extension agent, hays (e.g., alfalfa).
can examine the horse to see if there are any Controlling the weight of horses using star-
medical problems that may need attention, as vation diets is unacceptable. Such horses should
well as address special feed requirements that
may be needed for sick and injured horses.
Horses with abnormalities of the mouth 3
Frank, N. Insulin Resistance in Horses.
may find normal grazing and chewing difficult. Proceedings American Association of Equine
Practitioners, 2006; 52: 51 – 54.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 9first be examined by a veterinarian to rule out starvation. Rehabilitating a starved horse
disease conditions that might affect weight, and presents many challenges for caregivers. The
then supplied with a balanced, reduced calorie abrupt refeeding of a starved horse can cause
diet, as well as free access to water and salt. dysfunction of the body’s metabolic system,
which can lead to failure of the heart and lungs
Water Requirements and ultimately death.42
Every horse should have access to a suf- A veterinarian is vital to the recovery of
ficient amount of fresh, clean water to meet these animals and should be consulted as soon
its individual maintenance and activity needs. as a starved horse arrives at the facility. Even
A horse’s daily water requirements may range under the best of care, horses subjected to pro-
from 5 to 20 gallons (20 to 70 liters), depend- longed malnutrition may die, even after having
ing on air temperature, humidity, body weight, been placed with a responsible caregiver and
level of activity and health and physiological having been provided an appropriate diet. Up
status (e.g., pregnant, lactating or growing). to 20 percent of horses previously deprived of
As a general guide, horses need ½ to 1 nutrition may die during the refeeding period.
gallon (2 to 4 liters) of water per 2 pounds of Owners and operators of rescue and retire-
dry matter intake. This requirement increases ment facilities should realize that the financial
with increasing air temperature; e.g., an costs of stabilizing malnourished horses may
increase in ambient temperature from 55°F to significantly exceed their market price, and
77°F (13°C to 25°C) increases water required that responsible management of chronically
by 15 to 20%. starved horses should include the option of
As a practical matter, a horse should always euthanasia.53
have unlimited access to fresh water. Water
troughs and containers should be regularly What Happens during Starvation
cleaned to prevent algae buildup. They should During starvation, the horse initially uses
be located where they are protected from any fat and carbohydrate stores to supply
fouling and freezing. In cold climates, horses energy for metabolism and normal body func-
preferentially consume warm water; if warmer tions. This is the normal process for any healthy
water cannot be provided in cold climates, horse: fat and carbohydrates are used for
watering systems should be examined regularly energy, exercise, brain function, circulation, etc.,
to ensure that the water is not frozen. If heat is and are then replaced with nutrients from food.
required to prevent freezing, ensure adequate The cycle is constant and never-ending, even
safety. Automatic watering systems should be during sleep.
checked daily to ensure they are dispensing In a starved animal, energy is derived from
water properly. the breakdown of body protein. While protein
In some disease conditions, such as severe
diarrhea, rapid loss of water and essential body
salts (electrolytes) can result. Fluid replacement 4
The Horse Report, Volume 21, Number 3,
necessary to overcome fluid loss should be July 2003, the newsletter of the Center for
administered by a veterinarian. Equine Health. Copyright 2003,University of
California Regents.
Refeeding the Starved Horse
Unfortunately, some horses that arrive at 5
Chronically starved horses: predicting sur-
rescue/retirement facilities have been subjected vival, economic, and ethical considerations.
to long-term neglect and may suffer from Whiting TL, Salmon RH, Wruck GC. Can Vet
J. 2005; 46(4): 320-4.
10 American Association of Equine Practitionersis a component of every tissue, excess dietary diarrhea, edema formation, cardiac dysfunction
protein is not stored in the body, as is the including arrhythmias, pulmonary compromise,
case for fat and carbohydrates. Consequently, and neurological disturbances such as muscle
the starved body uses protein not only from tremors, weakness and coma directly related to
muscles, but also from vital tissues such as the phosphorus and thiamine deficiencies.
heart and even gastrointestinal tissues – tissues Management of refeeding syndrome is
that are necessary for life – for energy. Elec- dependent upon recognition of the possibil-
trolyte stores are essential for health, many ity it may occur in devitalized horses, slow
of which are within the blood and are unable reintroduction of feed over a period of up to
to be accurately measured by blood testing if one week, mineral and electrolyte supplementa-
the stores become depleted. As time goes by tion while avoiding hypernatremia, and careful
and starvation continues, the horse’s survival water allowance to avoid overhydration.
becomes precarious. When a horse loses more Where possible, monitoring of electrolyte levels
than 50% of its body weight, the prognosis for during the initial refeeding period is advisable.
survival is extremely poor.
Refeeding starved animals, including The Best Diet
humans, is not an easy process. In humans suf- A team of California researchers led by Drs.
fering from starvation caused by illnesses such Christine Witham and Carolyn Stull of the Uni-
as anorexia, cancer or gastrointestinal obstruc- versity of California-Davis Veterinary Medicine
tion, patients can develop “refeeding” syndrome Extension studied the rehabilitation of chroni-
when they are given concentrated calories, and cally starved horses and developed guidelines
this in turn can lead to heart, respiratory and extremely beneficial for use in rescue/retirement
kidney failure, usually three to five days after facilities. Drs. Witham, Stull and their team
the initial meal. This same syndrome has been showed through their research that the best
reported in the literature for horses. approach for initial refeeding of the starved
horse consists of frequent small amounts of
Refeeding syndrome consists of the follow- high-quality alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay has the
ing components: favorable qualities of a relatively low glycemic
index, and adequate content of magnesium and
• Following the reintroduction of feed and phosphorus.
increasing blood glucose, insulin secretion is In addition to quality and type, the amount
stimulated leading to synthesis of fat, glyco- of feed introduced and rate at which it is
gen and protein. increased are very important to avoid refeeding
• Synthetic activity requires minerals, such syndrome. This amount should be increased
as phosphate for energy reactions, and slowly at each meal and the number of feedings
thiamine, a common cofactor for metabolic decreased gradually over ten days. After ten
reactions. During starvation mineral deple- days to two weeks, horses can be fed as much
tion may have occurred, and in the case as they will eat. The horse will show signs of
of thiamine, stores are minimal and a defi- increased energy after about two weeks. Some
ciency is rapidly precipitated. weight gain can be achieved in one month,
• Water and sodium intake may rapidly but three to five months usually are needed
increase body fluid stores stressing the to rehabilitate to a normal weight. Veterinary
cardiovascular system. care and nutritional advice should be sought as
complications arise. However, even under ideal
The resulting metabolic disturbances can refeeding circumstances, malnourished horses
lead to gastrointestinal disturbances such as may not survive; 3 of the 22 horses reported on
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 11in Drs. Witham and Stull’s 1998 study died;64 Days 4-10
in another study, in Canada, 9 of 45 starved Slowly increase the amount of alfalfa and
horses did not survive.75 decrease the number of feedings so that by day
six, you are feeding just over four pounds of
Refeeding Recommendations86 hay every eight hours (total of 13 pounds per
day in three feedings.)
Days 1-3
Feed one pound (approximately 1/6 flake) Day 10 – Several Months
of leafy alfalfa every four hours (total of six Feed as much alfalfa as the horse will eat
pounds per day in six feedings). Contact a and decrease feeding to twice a day. Provide
veterinarian to evaluate the medical status of access to a salt block. Do not feed grain or
the horse. supplemental feed until the horse is well along
in its recovery; early feeding of grain and sup-
plemental feed complicates the return of normal
6
Witham, CL, Stull, CL. Metabolic Responses
metabolic function and can result in death.
of Chronically Starved Horses to Refeeding
with Three Isoenergetic Diets. JAVMA1998,
* Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
212(5): 691-696.
* Deworming and correction of dental
problems are very beneficial to the horse’s
7
“Fat Supplementation to Alfalfa Diets for
recovery.
Refeeding the Starved Horse,” The Profes-
sional Animal Scientist, 2003, 19: 47-54.
8
Reprinted by permission of the University of
California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medi-
cine, The Horse Report, The Newsletter of the
Center for Equine Health, 2003: 21(3).
12 American Association of Equine PractitionersIII. Basic Hoof Care
The age-old saying “no foot, no horse” been shod in stacks of pads. For retired horses,
applies to every discipline in the horse industry it may be best to remove these shoes, balance
and is equally important to the horse that the foot according to conformation, and shoe
enters a retirement/rescue facility. The foot is a him, or trim him and leave him barefoot,
common source of lameness; therefore, good, according to his individual needs.
quality hoof care is imperative to the well-being
of a horse in these facilities. For the sake of the Some other items to consider are:
organization, discussion here applies specifically
to horses in rescue/retirement facilities and 1. Hoof Wall Cracks/Quarter Cracks: A
should not be confused with any breed predilec- farrier should evaluate and address the
tion or discipline. crack for infection, necrotic tissue and,
most importantly, stability. Stability of a
Hoof Growth hoof wall crack is necessary for the crack
As a general rule, adult horse hoof growth to heal, and for normal hoof growth to
is approximately 3/8 of an inch (9 millimeters) resume.
per month, while hoof growth in a foal is
approximately 5/8 of an inch (15 millimeters) 2. Navicular Disease: If history exists or a
per month. With that in mind, as a general diagnosis is made, veterinarian and farrier
guideline, an adult horse should be trimmed (or involvement is necessary to facilitate the
shod) in accordance with the needs of the horse. comfort and shoeing needs of the horse.
Foals should be trimmed every four weeks, or
as needed. 3. Laminitis: Accurate diagnosis, which
may require radiographs, is necessary to
Start with a Thorough Examination determine the shoeing needs of the horse.
Upon entering a facility, a complete physi- Proper shoeing, good management and
cal examination should be performed on every nutrition all play a vital role in foot care
horse. As part of the examination, the feet relative to laminitis.
should be evaluated carefully to identify any
hoof wall cracks, bruises, lacerations or any 4. Corrective Shoeing: May sometimes be
other pathology that need the attention of the necessary depending upon injury and
farrier or veterinarian. Any history of disease conformation. Consultation with a vet-
should be addressed at this time to help facili- erinarian, working in conjunction with a
tate proper shoeing for the horse. farrier, is recommended.
Special Considerations 5. Environment: Hoof care can be affected
Horses entering retirement/rescue facilities by the environment in which the horse
come in all shapes and sizes and often require lives. Moisture can soften hooves, and can
the involvement of the veterinarian and the lead to thrush and other problems. Cold
farrier to address hoof concerns specific for weather slows hoof growth. Shoeing and
individual horses. For example, retired race- trimming considerations must be addressed
horses are shod in aluminum shoes with toe for each horse as an individual, in light
grabs; American Saddlebred horses may have of his environmental circumstances; for
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 13example, recommendations may be dif- tions such as the American Farrier’s Association
ferent for a frozen pasture versus a rocky (http://www.americanfarriers.org) can provide
pasture. referrals.
The horse should be shod or trimmed in
6. Management: Basic horse husbandry con- accordance with its individual needs. These
siderations such as good nutrition, shelter and needs depend upon housing, musculoskeletal
dry bedding are all important in maintaining problems, conformation and environment.
good, healthy feet. Some people advocate the Hind foot shoes may not be recommended
use of feed additives for healthy hoof growth; when horses are turned out in groups, so as
these should be considered on the advice of a to minimize injury to other individuals from
veterinarian. kicking. However, there are some problems of
the hind feet that require shoeing.
Rely on Qualified Caregivers Due to space considerations, numerous
When a horse is to be shod, a qualified other specific aspects of hoof care have not
farrier who is working in conjunction with a been mentioned here. However, under any cir-
veterinarian, both of whom understand the cumstances, management plays a critical role in
goals of the facility, should be consulted. This the success of the retirement/rescue facility and
will aid in minimizing any potential hoof more importantly, in the health of the horse.
problems, as well as correct any previous hoof Good management should incorporate both the
problems. Veterinarians and farriers may serve veterinarian and the farrier when addressing
as good referrals for each other, or organiza- hoof care for the horse.
14 American Association of Equine PractitionersIV. Caring for the Geriatric Horse
The proportion of the equine population tion (PPID).
living into their 20s and 30s and beyond is Musculoskeletal problems are also common
growing. Proper care is vital to maintain the in the older horse and are many times an accu-
active, healthy lifespan of geriatric horses. mulation of past injuries and wear and tear.
Rescue/retirement facilities must have knowl- Under direction of a veterinarian, management
edge of conditions common in geriatric horses, of arthritis through regular exercise, nutritional
be able to identify early signs of disease, distress supplements and medications can significantly
and injury, and work closely with veterinarians improve comfort for the geriatric horse. For
in order to provide for the special needs of example, we look at recommendations for older
these animals. Appendix 1 contains additional people: regular exercise and resistance training
discussion on evaluation of the health status of improve muscle tone and mobility. Conversely,
geriatric horses. confinement and lack of movement weaken
It is imperative to recognize that caring for muscles and bones. Even in the oldest group
the geriatric equid is exacting and labor-inten- of horses, movement in a pasture is generally
sive and may involve considerable expense. At preferred to stall confinement.
times, difficult decisions concerning quality of
life and euthanasia must be made (see “Eutha- Providing Proper Shelter
nasia,” Chapter VII). Standards described in Chapter VI, “Shelter,
Stalls and Horse Facilities,” should be applied
Health and Disease in the Geriatric Horse to geriatric horses as necessary to accommodate
Older horses are more likely to experience older horses’ decreased ability to regulate body
colic, dental disease, parasitism, tumors, lame- temperature and increased susceptibility to
ness and metabolic disease than younger horses. extremes of heat and cold.
They tend to have lower body condition scores It is essential to protect older horses from
on the Henneke system than younger horses heat and/or humidity by providing shade and
and may have greater difficulty recovering from ventilation. Pastures and paddocks should
injury, starvation or disease. include natural shade or properly constructed
Dental problems, such as the wearing well-ventilated shelters. Stables may require
down of tooth grinding surfaces or periodontal fans. Body clipping may be necessary to
disease, may cause a decreased ability to crush promote dissipation of heat from the body
whole grains and forage. This may predispose in PPID horses that have failed to shed their
the geriatric horse to colic or choke (intestinal winter coats.
or esophageal obstructions), or reduced intesti- Likewise, protection of older horses from
nal absorption of nutrients. A thorough dental extremes of cold through the appropriate
examination should be performed in the older combination of shelter, wind breaks and
horse regularly. blanketing is essential. Pastures and paddocks
An increased prevalence of metabolic and should include natural or constructed shelter
endocrine disease in geriatrics, including Equine to provide a dry environment and protection
Cushing’s Disease (ECD), place them at higher from wind. Soft footing and deep bedding (but
risk for chronic infections, eye problems and not too deep, as it’s harder to move around
laminitis. Equine Cushing’s Disease is also in) should be considered for older horses with
known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunc- arthritic conditions and other lameness.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 15A pasture environment is an excellent cated. Leucine, which may stimulate protein
option for older horses, as turnout promotes synthesis and is relatively high in alfalfa hay,
beneficial activity. Consistent light exercise regi- may be useful in preventing loss of muscle mass
mens are recommended and may improve range in geriatric horses.
of motion and muscle strength. Pasture turnout Fat is an excellent source of calories for
is preferred over stall rest, because stall rest older horses if their liver function is adequate
generally results in increased stiffness and pain. and is well utilized with almost no increase
Stall rest should be used only during periods of digestive upset compared to energy-dense
of acute pain or joint instability, as directed by rations containing primarily cereal grains.
a veterinarian. Body weight should be reduced Commercial grain rations with fat added are
to normal or slightly lighter levels to minimize available (5 to 8% crude fat content). Another
mechanical stress on the limbs. way to increase fat is to add vegetable oil (up to
2 cups per day) or rice bran. If protein is insuf-
Feed and Water ficient in the diet, soybean meal is an excellent,
Standards described in Chapter II, “Nutri- high-quality protein source for older horses.
tion,” should be adapted to the special needs While calcium absorption remains consist-
of geriatric horses. The body condition and/or ent with age, phosphorous absorption may be
actual body weight of older horses should be impaired in older horses, such that phospho-
monitored carefully, because loss of condition rous requirements are relatively higher. In an
is the most common problem in older horses. otherwise healthy but underweight geriatric
Loss of body condition, which is harder to horse, the ratio of calcium to phosphorous
regain in older horses than in younger horses, should remain at approximately 1.5:1. The
can indicate abnormal and often treatable ration typically should be between 0.4 - 0.65%
conditions such as parasitism, dental disease phosphorus and not more than 1% calcium on
or other underlying illnesses. Thus, integrated a dry matter basis.
health care for the geriatric horse includes Commercial rations designed for geriatric
analysis of nutrition. horses are available, and can provide a highly
Current recommendations from the Nation- digestible fiber and higher fat content to meet
al Research Council’s Nutrient Requirements of their increased energy needs. An extruded or
Horses for mature adult horses are influenced pelleted feed is more likely than sweet feed or
by several circumstances of the aging horse, grain to improve body condition, weight gain
including slower metabolism, decreased diges- and blood protein levels. Due to a natural
tive efficiency and decreased level of energy reduction in saliva, these diets may need to be
expenditure. Nutrient requirements of geriatric pre-soaked to prevent esophageal obstruction
horses more closely approximate those of or choke. Fat, rice bran or soybean meal can be
weanlings in terms of protein and phosphorous. added to these diets to further improve fat and
Protein requirements may be higher in older protein content. Attention to a dust-free diet
horses than in younger adult horses, as the can be helpful in managing chronic respiratory
ability to digest crude protein is less in geri- conditions in older animals.
atric horses. Subsequently, it is suggested that Older horses should receive high-quality
geriatric horses are fed diets containing 14% roughage because of their decreased ability to
to 16% crude protein. Loss of muscle mass is digest fiber and to chew forage properly. Sweet,
a common characteristic of geriatric horses. young grass is ideal, supplemented with hay
Although this has been attributed to decreased for additional fiber. However, access to carbo-
levels of activity, nutrition has also been impli- hydrate rich grass may need to be monitored
16 American Association of Equine Practitionersclosely in those individuals with a predisposi- Water intake should be monitored in geri-
tion to founder, as can occur with Cushing’s atric horses. Increased water intake is a sign
disease or other metabolic conditions. of some of the more common medical condi-
Hays should be less mature and free of tions of geriatric horses, along with increased
coarse stems, such as mixed hay with no more urine production. Possible causes include renal
than 60% legume content. A 100% legume disease and Equine Cushing’s Disease. Older
hay, such as straight alfalfa, is not ideal because horses may be less inclined to drink excessively
the protein and calcium content may be too cold water; in cold weather, warming the water
high and the phosphorous content is low. If has been shown to increase water consumption.
chewing is impaired, chopped hay, hay cubes Feeding water-soaked feeds (at least 2 gallons
or roughage-containing pellets are alternatives. of water per feeding) will also help increase
Soaking hay cubes and pellets in water will fluid intake. Addition of 1 to 2 ounces of salt
make them easier to chew, while decreasing to the feed may also encourage increased water
the risk of choke (obstruction of the esophagus intake but should be done only if the horse has
with impacted feed). Another roughage alterna- unlimited access to water.
tive for older horses is beet pulp, because of its Special attention should be given to older
digestibility and calcium content. It also can be horses pastured with other horses to avoid
soaked to make chewing easier. problems arising from age-associated decreas-
Feed supplements, such as glucosamine ing aggressiveness. Access to feed, water and
and chondroitin sulfate, are sometimes utilized shelter should be ensured. Ideally, older horses
for older horses with arthritic conditions, but should be pastured with their peers rather than
lack scientific support. Electrolytes may be with younger, more aggressive horses.
appropriate in the performing geriatric horse,
as they sweat more at lesser intensity exercise. For Additional Information on Feeding Geriat-
Probiotic products may also be advocated ric Horses, see:
to help digestion, however, scientific support
for the effectiveness of these products is also Ralston SL. Nutrition of the Geriatric
lacking. If expense of care is a concern, these Horse. In: Equine Geriatric Medicine and
sorts of supplemental products can usually be Surgery, Bertone J (ed), Elsevier Publishing,
eliminated. St. Louis, MO, pp 169-171, 2006.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 17V. Shelters, Stalls and Horse Facilities
Many different types of housing and shel- and drainage and prevent injury. Ventilation
ters are used at retirement/rescue facilities; should be designed to provide adequate air
therefore, multiple factors should be taken into circulation.
account when designing shelters, including Electrical wiring and panels should not be
individual and diverse climatic and geographic accessible to horses and should be installed in
conditions. Local sources of information, such accordance with applicable electrical codes.
as veterinarians and extension agencies, can be Lighting should be provided in a manner to
extremely valuable in considering such factors. permit effective observation of stabled horses.
Alleyways and work areas should be uniformly
Shelter illuminated. Natural lighting should be pro-
A shelter is a natural or man-made structure vided wherever possible.
that provides relief to each individual animal Manure and soiled bedding should be
from direct sunlight, wind, precipitation and handled and stored in a manner that has as
other inclement weather. The design and use of little negative impact on the surrounding area
shelters should promote the health, well-being and the environment as is reasonably possible.
and good performance of horses throughout all Rescue/retirement facilities should have
stages of their lives. a designated area for quarantine or isolation
All constructed shelters should be structur- purposes. This area should be separated from
ally safe for horses and personnel. Shelters other holding areas.
where horses are located should be constructed
with no exposed surfaces or projections likely Stalls
to cause injury. Shelter design should promote Stalls or portable corrals should be available
easy and safe handling of horses, as well as ease to contain horses that may be sick or injured.
of cleaning and care. Horses should be pro- The stalls should be of sufficient size for a horse
vided with a clean, dry area on which to lie. to get up and down. Bedding should be pro-
Ceilings and support beams in horse-hous- vided and kept clean, with stalls being cleaned
ing facilities should be high enough to permit at least once every 24 hours. Good ventilation
the horse to stand naturally with a full range of is always necessary, and it is important in the
motion of the head and neck without touching prevention of respiratory problems.
the ceiling. Floors in horse stables should be
constructed and maintained to provide traction
18 American Association of Equine PractitionersVI. Pasture, Paddocks and Fencing
Pastures are an important aspect of many Pasture and Paddock Fencing Safety
rescue/retirement facilities. Pastures allow Pastures and paddocks should be properly
horses to have access to grass as needed, give fenced to safely confine horses. The suitability of
them room for exercise, and allow them normal type of fence varies according to the disposition of
socialization. The size and number of pastures the horses, as well as stocking density and pasture/
and/or paddocks at a facility should be appro- paddock size. Horses should be introduced to
priate for the number of horses intended to be unfamiliar fenced areas during daylight hours and
kept. Important factors to consider are safety be monitored to reduce the risk of injury.
and injury prevention as well as sufficient room Fences and gates should be maintained
to allow plenty of exercise. in good repair to minimize the risk of horses
Stocking requirements of pastures will vary, gaining access to public roadways. Barbed wire
depending on feed and quality of the pastures. and narrow gauge high tensile wire, because of
Generally, one or two acres per horse are their cutting properties, can cause severe injury
required. Horses have a natural herd instinct, to horses. These materials are not ideal, even
and as such, will prefer to be with other horses. though they are sometimes used for fencing
In addition, pasture containment with proper extensive pasture areas. However, they should
shelter will serve a facility better than stalls only. generally be avoided in closely confined pad-
docks or small pastures.
Pastures and Range Management Pastures, paddocks and range should be free
Horses on pasture or range should have from equipment, machinery, debris and refuse
an adequate quantity and quality of feed and that have the potential to cause serious injury.
water. Properly maintained pastures may
provide all or most of the nutrient requirements Paddock and Small Pasture Management
of grazing horses. Nutrient content of pastures Every property in which horses are kept
should be closely monitored and supplemental should have a sufficient number of paddocks
feed provided when necessary. Salt and mineral or pastures to permit separation of incompat-
supplements should be provided when neces- ible animals. The risk of injury increases when
sary to supplement specific nutrient deficits in horses are overcrowded. Competition for food,
grasses and forage. water and space often leads to fighting and
To prevent digestive and health problems, subsequent injury.
horses should be introduced to pasture gradually The number of horses and their grouping
or cautiously, especially in heavy growing periods in each paddock or small pasture should be
such as spring in some areas. Horses on pasture appropriate for compatibility and for the ground
should be inspected regularly, paying close atten- conditions, taking into account the climatic
tion during high-risk periods (seasonal changes, conditions at the time. For example, rocky areas
introduction of new horses, foaling, etc.). and steep hills/stream banks/ditches should be
Application of fertilizers, pesticides, herbi- avoided for geriatric and debilitated horses.
cides and manure to pastures should be planned Paddocks and small pastures should be
and conducted to minimize risk to grazing cleaned regularly. Horses will not eat pasture
horses and the environment. In addition, grass or forage that is contaminated with
pastures and range land should be inspected manure. Without regular cleaning the effective
regularly for poisonous plants. grazing area is decreased.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 19Effective parasite control is more difficult in paddock or small pasture environments. Pasture rotation, manure removal and internal parasite control with effective deworming programs are a part of an integrated program of management. Your local veterinarian can help in the development of a specific program to fit individual conditions. 20 American Association of Equine Practitioners
VII. Euthanasia
The term euthanasia is derived from the In accordance with AVMA’s position on
Greek terms eu meaning good and thanatos euthanasia of animals, the AAEP accepts that
meaning death. A good death would be one humane euthanasia of unwanted horses or
that occurs with minimal pain and at the those deemed unfit for adoption is an accept-
appropriate time in the horse’s life to prevent able procedure once all available alternatives
unnecessary pain and suffering. have been explored with the client. A horse
Justification for euthanization of a horse should not have to endure conditions of lack of
for humane reasons should be based on both feed or care erosive of the animal’s quality of
medical considerations as well as current life. This is in accord with the role of the veteri-
and future quality-of-life issues for the horse. narian as animal advocate.
Although by no means a replacement for
consultation with the veterinarian, Appendix 1 The following are guidelines to assist in
contains additional discussion on the decision- making humane decisions regarding euthanasia
making process for euthanasia. The American of horses:
Association of Equine Practitioners has devel-
oped the following Euthanasia Guidelines. • A horse should not have to endure con-
tinuous or unmanageable pain from a
2011 AAEP Euthanasia Guidelines - condition that is chronic and incurable.
https://aaep.org/horsehealth/aaep-guidelines-
euthanasia-2011 • A horse should not have to endure a
The AAEP recommends that the follow- medical or surgical condition that has a
ing guidelines be considered in evaluating the hopeless chance of survival.
need for humane euthanasia of a horse. The
attending veterinarian is often able to assist in • A horse should not have to remain alive
making this determination, especially regarding if it has an unmanageable medical condi-
the degree to which the horse is suffering. It tion that renders it a hazard to itself or its
should be pointed out that each case should be handlers.
addressed on its individual merits and that the
following are guidelines only. It is not necessary • A horse should not have to receive con-
for all criteria to be met. Horses may be eutha- tinuous analgesic medication for the relief
nized at an owner’s request for other reasons, as of pain for the rest of its life.
the owner has sole responsibility for the horse’s
care. Prior to euthanasia, clear determination • A horse should not have to endure a
of the insurance status of the horse should lifetime of continuous individual box stall
be made as this policy constitutes a contract confinement for prevention or relief of
between owner and insurance carrier. unmanageable pain or suffering.
Care Guidelines for Rescue and Retirement Facilities 21You can also read
