Standard of care

Based on Guidelines provided by the Animal Welfare Institute & The Humane Society of the United States

The following guidelines outline the general equine management practices required for all individuals adopting an equine from HAPI Trails.
While not exhaustive, they provide essential standards for responsible equine ownership.

Adopters must ensure the number of equines in their care does not exceed their capacity to provide proper feeding and care.
This capacity depends on both the adopter’s physical ability and financial resources to maintain proper management. Furthermore, all equine owners must comply with applicable state and local laws.

Adequate care.
Care of an animal to include, but not be limited to, a clean, safe shelter that provides protection from the weather, sufficient heat and ventilation, wholesome food and water, proper veterinary care and exercise consistent with the normal requirements and feeding habits
of the animal’s size, species, and breed.

The Five Basics

1. ENCLOSURE & SHELTER

Equine enclosures can include stalls, dry lots, and pastures. Unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian, equines must have adequate space and opportunities for daily exercise and freedom of movement to reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. The space and exercise provisions should be suitable for the equine’s age, breed or type, condition, and size.

Equines should have access to natural or man-made shelters that protect them from extreme weather conditions, including wind, snow, sleet, rain, sun, and temperature extremes. Run-in shelters, featuring a roof and three sides, are a versatile and cost-effective option.

Shelters should be constructed to provide enough space for each equine to turn around, lie down, and move their head freely. For example, a stall measuring 10½’ x 10½’ is the recommended minimum size for an average 1,200-pound horse.

2. FENCING

Fencing must be of solid construction, free of sharp edges, and clearly visible to equines. Electric fencing, including wire or tape, is acceptable if it is visibly marked for equines (e.g., with brightly colored streamers or ties) and humans (e.g., with appropriate signage). Barbed wire and high-tensile wire fencing are unsafe and should not be used for equines. These materials can cause severe injuries, such as leg damage or broken bones, even if the fencing is well-maintained.

Fencing should be inspected regularly to ensure it remains safe and effective.

Idaho is a “fence-out” state, meaning that landowners are generally responsible for keeping livestock off their property:

Open range
Livestock can roam freely on open range land, which is any area outside of cities, villages, and herd districts.

Herd districts
Livestock owners must fence in their animals within herd districts to prevent them from roaming onto other properties or highways. The county can levy property taxes on herd district property owners to pay for fencing and cattle guards.

Fences between properties
Adjoining landowners are usually responsible for building and maintaining half of the fence that separates their properties. However, there are some exceptions:

• One landowner can strengthen the fence or make it hog-tight without the other landowner being liable for the additional cost.
• If one landowner uses the fenced-in area for grazing, the other landowner must pay for their share of the fence.
• If two landowners can’t agree on how to maintain the fence, either can file a complaint with the magistrate court.

Idaho also has specific requirements for the construction of fences, including:

• Stone fences must be at least 4 ft high, with a 2 ft base and a 1 ft thick top.
• Worm fences must be at least 4 ft high.
• Post and rail fences must have posts no more than 8 ft apart, and at least 3 six-inch boards, rails, or poles.
• Wire fences must have posts no more than 24 ft apart, with three substantial stays between the posts.

3. FEED

Under normal circumstances, equines must receive a minimum of 2% to 3% of their body weight in high-quality forage daily, unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian. When natural forage is insufficient in quality or quantity, the diet should be supplemented with high-quality hay. Nutritious grain may also be used as an additional supplement.

The diet should be tailored to the equine’s age, breed or type, condition, size, and activity level. Pregnant or lactating mares require significantly more feed to meet their nutritional needs, and their diets must be adjusted accordingly. Starved equines must follow a veterinarian-directed refeeding plan (see “BELOW” for further details).

When multiple equines are fed simultaneously, it is the responsibility of the owner, manager, or caretaker to ensure that each animal receives adequate nutrition. If necessary, equines should be separated during feeding to prevent more dominant individuals from interfering with others.

Equines should always have access to trace mineralized salt formulated for their needs, provided in either block or loose form. Hay produced in Teton County Idaho is known to lack Selenium, providing a mineral block with added Selenium is recommended.  All feeding receptacles must be kept clean and free from contaminants, including feces, mold, mildew, and insects. Grain should be stored in tightly closable containers to prevent infestation by insects and rodents. Hay must be stored in a dry area and kept free of mold and mildew.

4. WATER

Pastured or stalled equines should have access to clean, potable water at all times. Equines that are being trained, worked, ridden, or transported must be provided water as often as necessary to ensure their health and comfort, taking into account activity levels, and climate conditions, such as relative humidity and air movement.

All water receptacles should be inspected regularly, kept clean, and free from hazardous contaminants. They should be positioned or secured to minimize spillage. In warm climates, water receptacles should be placed in shaded areas to prevent overheating.

To prevent freezing in cold weather, the use of water defrosters/heaters is recommended. Any wiring should be securely positioned out of the equines’ reach. Ice must be regularly broken and/or removed to ensure continuous access to water.

5. GENERAL EQUINE HEALTH & VETERINARY CARE 

All equines should have a negative EIA test within the previous 12 months. As recommended by a veterinarian, equines should receive vaccinations, including, but not limited to, eastern and western encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness), West Nile virus, and tetanus. Other vaccinations to consider in consultation with a veterinarian include rabies, influenza, rhino, and strangles.

In Idaho, a Coggins test and Health Certificate is required for horses moving across state lines.

Dental Care
Equines should receive regular dental check-ups and treatment as needed to ensure proper digestion. It is recommended that equines under 5 years of age and over 15 years of age receive dental check-ups twice annually. Equines between 5 and 15 years of age should have dental check-ups once a year. Equines with dental problems should be examined by a veterinarian and receive treatment as necessary.

Hoof Care
Equines should receive hoof care, maintenance, and trimming every six to eight weeks, or as directed by a veterinarian or qualified farrier. Hoof care should be performed by a qualified farrier or another experienced individual knowledgeable in farrier practice.

Exceptions may be made if a veterinarian determines that hoof care could endanger the equine or its caretaker, such as with newly arrived equines or wild equines that are pastured in sufficiently rocky or rough terrain, allowing them to self-maintain their hooves.

Body Condition

Henneke Body Condition Scoring System

This system is widely used by law enforcement in horse cruelty cases and is accepted as a scientific method for evaluating equine body condition in courts of law. It offers an objective, consistent means of assessing a horse’s body condition, regardless of breed, gender, or age, and provides a more precise evaluation than subjective terms like “skinny,” “thin,” or “fat.”

Conformational differences between horses may affect the application of certain criteria within each score. In such cases, these differences should be considered when interpreting the final score.

Conformation also changes in pregnant mares as they approach parturition (birth). As the weight of the foal pulls the skin and musculature tighter over the back and ribs, more emphasis is placed on assessing fat deposition behind the shoulder, around the tailhead, and along the neck and withers.

The Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart rates horses on a scale from 1 to 9. A score of 1 indicates poor or emaciated condition with no body fat, while a score of 9 indicates extreme obesity. Equine veterinarians generally consider a body score between 4 and 7 to be acceptable, with a score of 5 being ideal.

Other Considerations

Humane Euthanasia

Humane euthanasia should be considered when an equine:

• Is immobile and a veterinarian determines mobility will not return.
• Has a quality of life that, with veterinary guidance, is deemed so poor that euthanasia is the most humane option within the organization’s resources.
• Is experiencing chronic pain with no medical relief, or where relief is beyond the financial means of the facility.
• Has a degenerative medical condition with no cure.
• Poses a serious threat to other animals or humans.

Euthanasia should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian, except in emergency situations where the equine is injured beyond recovery and is suffering irreversibly. The carcass must be disposed of in accordance with all relevant laws.