Equine Care Information
We've detailed on this page some information regarding welfare and what to look for when assessing whether or not a horse or pony is receiving the correct care, along with some other general information about horses which we will add to as time allows.
Poisonous Plants & Trees
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There are a number of plants and trees that may be found in fields and hedgerows throughout the UK which can be harmful to equines such as yew, all plants in the nightshade family, ragwort, sycamore, foxglove, oak, horse chestnut, bracken, laburnham, giant hogweed, hemlock, and ivy. Additionally, grass cuttings are deadly and should never be given to horses. Some plants such as oak, bracken, and buttercup will affect some horses but not others. Many of these plant species are important to the ecosystem and their mere presence is not indicative that horses are being maltreated, however, if horses are turned out into fields where these plants are abundant and there are no signs that they are being managed or restricted from grazing affected areas along with other signs or neglect, then this could indicate that further investigation is warranted. Some plants are good for equines! These are broadly mint, milk thistle, stinging nettle, and cleavers.
Common Visible Health Problems​
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Laminitis
Mud Fever
Rain Scald
Hoof abscess
Poisoning
Malnutrition
Obesity
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See the PDF guides below to read more about these conditions and see photographs.
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We have received many calls over the years from concerned members of the public regarding a 'dead' horse in a field. Horses mostly sleep standing up but in any 24 hour period will usually spend between 2-4 hours laying down actually sleeping. Some horses, when comfortable in their surroundings, will be quite deeply asleep and as a result may look quite dead from a distance and even require some sudden noise before stirring! If in any doubt, watch closely for a few minutes for a twitch of an ear, the rise and fall of the stomach when breathing, or clap your hands to see if they wake up.
Body Condition Scoring Chart
View this chart for further information on body condition scoring to establish whether a horse is underweight, overweight, or about right. Bear in mind that many factors can affect a horse's overall condition including age, breed, and long term health conditions
Common Ailments Chart
View this chart for further information on common ailments affecting horses.
How do Horses See?
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We have all been told as children never to walk behind a horse in case it kicks you and to always approach from the front or side so it can see you, but have you ever wondered why? Horses have primarily monocular vision, and cannot see directly behind them. Generally, they will view a potential threat or scary object with the left eye first and it is believed that this is connected to the horse's emotional response to the object. Horses also see in dichromatic colour, unlike us with trichromatic vision.
How do Horses Stay Warm?
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We receive a lot of calls regarding horses that are out in fields, particuarly in the winter. Horses are grazing animals, and require a small but steady supply of fibrous foods to maintain their gut health and to stay warm. As food is digested in the hind gut, it generates energy which in turn keeps the horse warm. Therefore, a native type pony or horse in a field in the winter will likely be sufficiently warm so long as it has a ready supply of food in the form of either hay or grass - even without a rug on! Although, they should still have access to shelter in the form of either a this hedgerow, tree line, or purpose built field shelter. If the horse is a non native type, warmblooded, or clipped, or there is no form of shelter available, then it should be suitably rugged. Horses will also roll in the muddiest patches of field as when the mud dries on their coat, it creates a natural barrier against the wind.
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It is worth noting that the above largely does not apply to donkeys. Donkeys, unlike horses, do not have natural oils in their hair to help keep the wet and cold away from their skin. Donkeys must always, without fail, be provided with a suitable building to take shelter in during bad weather and a good dry place out of the mud to stand as they are particuarly prone to hoof and leg problems caused by wet conditions.
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See the guide below to establish whether or not a horse or pony should (or should not, over-rugging is very common too!) be wearing a rug.
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Temperature Guide for Rugging
View this chart for further information on whether a horse needs a rug and if so, what thickness depending on whether it is stabled or not, clipped or not, and what the temperature is
