Characteristics of the horse that have consequences for the optimal housing
Horses are originally steppe animals that live in small, hierarchical herds.
They have sufficient resistance to withstand low temperatures and relatively high temperature fluctuations. However, improper housing can weaken their natural immune system. The sparse vegetation in the steppe and the flight as a defense against the natural enemies require a lot of movement. In freedom, a horse is in slow motion for about 16 hours a day and travels about 16 km to find food and water.
Food is picked up from the ground, standing, head bowed. Grazing is avoided in places where fertilizer is used. Horses have a constant appetite, so the feed portions should be spread throughout the day as much as possible. Roughage must be available 16 out of 24 hours (grass, pure straw or hay), or must be provided at least 3 times a day.
As a prey and selective grazer, the horse is very perceptive through eyes, ears and nose, so it is important that it can use these senses in the stable. Resting is done standing or lying down, (deep) sleeping is done lying down. Horses that have sufficient space and a suitable (dry) surface will "roll" as a form of self-care behavior.
As a herd animal, the horse needs contacts with members of their own species. The existence of a hierarchy means that introduction of new animals is best done gradually and thoughtfully. In addition to the hierarchical relationships, there is clearly also a kind of "friendship relationships", in which preferences for certain peers are expressed by the time spent in close proximity to each other and by mutual care behavior.
All these characteristics have consequences for the optimum housing method. The climate in stables is influenced by: Ambient Temperature, Humidity, Air Quality and Movement, Ventilation and Light. Today, we give some insight in Temperature and Humidity.
Horses are warm-blooded animals that have a constant body temperature of 37.2 to 38.2 degrees Celsius. Heat is continuously produced by the horses which, depending on the ambient temperature and in order to maintain a constant body temperature, is released to the (colder) environment. Within the thermo-neutral zone (the zone where a constant body temperature can be maintained with a minimum of energy), the body temperature can be controlled via perspiration, respiration, blood circulation and the hair cover. This zone can vary depending on the breed and is quite broad for adult horses (covers 30 to 40 ° C) and narrower for foals. The comfort zone (a narrower zone within which no adjusted behavior, such as faster breathing, is required for a constant body temperature) is situated between -5 degrees C and +25 degrees C (these limits may also vary depending on race, weight, etc.) . The European regulations concerning the accommodation and care of laboratory animals state an optimum of 10 to 24 degrees Celsius as a guideline for indoor horses.
1. Ambient Temperature In literature, a temperature between 10 and 15 ° C is considered the optimum ambient temperature for horses that deliver high performances. A slightly higher temperature of 15 to 20 ° C is recommended for foals. The temperature may be considerably lower for non-performing horses or rearing animals.
Cold stables promote thermoregulation, and therefore the resistance and health of the horses. Horses that were already confronted with cold temperatures as foals usually get winter hair longer and denser. Because of their specific subcutaneous connective tissue, they can reduce their surface heat, so that they release less heat. Animals that are used to the cold are less susceptible to diseases in a cold stable than in a warmer stable.
Keeping horses with a minimum of buildings, for example in simple open shelters, gives good results but requires large ground areas for the run and offers e.g. little protection against theft of valuable animals. In addition, the temperature control in the stables not only takes into account the well-being of the horses, but also the caretakers.vThe temperature fluctuation is more important than the temperature level. Constant low temperatures are more favorable than large transitions.
The house temperature is controlled by the interaction between:
- ventilation (introduction of fresh air and removal of stable air) - insulation (prevention of heat dissipation in winter and heat radiation in summer) - heating.
Heating is unnecessary in most cases. With the help of a solarium and blanket, individual animals can be brought in the right condition (short hairdress depending on competition).
2. Humidity
The relative humidity is influenced by the humidity of the outside air, the house temperature, the breathing and the skin breathing of the animals, the drinking installations and the manure excretion of the animals.
The optimum relative humidity (RH) is 60 to 70% (that is, 60 to 70% of the maximum possible water vapor is present in the air).
If the RV is too high, it is more difficult for the horses to lose their excess heat and the chance of breathing problems increases because the multiplication of germs, fungi and parasites is promoted.
A too low RH and therefore a too dry air stimulates the mucous membranes and causes cough. Dust formation is also increasing.
Horses, however, have a relatively high resistance to differences in humidity. In addition, the RH must always be evaluated in relation to the temperature and air movement.
Good ventilation keeps the RV at an acceptable level because the excess water vapor is removed together with the outgoing stall air, provided that the supplied outside air contains less moisture than the stall air. The amount of vapor that the air can absorb can vary greatly, which is why a generous ventilation standard of 250 m³ per hour per horse is used.
Next Week in Part 3:
Air Quality and Movement, Ventilation and Light