Oliver’s Layman’s View
Although each horse is exercised daily for an hour, goes out in the field and goes for a pick of grass, they all do spend a lot of time in their stables. This is why it is crucial that the stable environment is as clean, stimulating and safe as possible. If a horse is not breathing clean air, is stressed or can become injured this will have a huge impact on their health and ability to train.
Ammonia
One of the first issues in a stable environment is ammonia, as this is a serious irritant to the respiratory tract and can cause inflammation which then increases mucous production and has a negative impact on the immune system. This can lead to a horse getting ill and scoping badly and then not running or underperforming. This is why it is so important that the stables are mucked out twice daily and all excretions removed so the bedding is kept as clean as possible. We use pine shavings which are fantastic at absorbing the ammonia. The pine oil also prevents the bacteria from converting the urine into ammonia, so it is a fantastic multifunctional bedding.
Flooring for safety
The flooring is important too, most of our stables have rough concrete, so they are easily cleaned and disinfected throughout the season, and they are not slippery where there is no bedding at the front. Some of our stables have rubber mats - targeted to help the horses with poor feet.
Ventilation
Good ventilation is another key area, this allows bad odours to be removed and keeps the temperature consistent, which is essential for the horses’ health. Unlike us they can’t decide to put another jumper on or take one off! Horses breathe through their noses and because they are not in their natural grazing posture in a stable, they find it harder to clear their nasal passage from dust.
If dust, airborne pollutants, mould, mildew and dustborne bacteria are present and the ventilation is not good enough to remove these, that can cause issues that affect performance and lead to serious viral infections making the horse very ill. Some yards have mechanical ventilation, but we are very lucky in that all our barns have been designed to be very airy with Yorkshire boarding which prevents rain coming in but allows air to constantly circulate.
Hydration
Clean water is essential for all horses and especially horses like ours who are exercising hard. They always need it available to prevent dehydration and colic. We have some horses with buckets which are good as we can monitor how much a horse is drinking, but on the downside, they could knock over and have no water all night. We also have automatic water drinkers so horses always have water, but you cannot measure how much they drink, they can overflow and need to be kept very clean.
Internal clock
A horse’s internal clock is controlled by sunlight, so it is very important they have a good source of light during the day as it can really affect their wellbeing. Ensuring the circadian rhythm is in sync will ensure that all elements of their physiology can function in harmony with the environment around them.
Social interaction and comfort
We have always felt that it is vital that the horses should see and be near each other. They are herd animals much happier in company. Many of our stables face one another or have low walls so they can see the horses either side. We also have some outdoor pens for the more fractious individuals so they can roam around and be close to other horses which helps to keep them happy and relaxed.
Natrual Feeding Behaviour
In their natural environment, horses would be able to access food constantly, so we provide haylage 24hrs a day. Some greedy ones will gorge on it so it must be restricted, but the majority, especially when they are in full work will just pick at it. This is great for lowering stress levels, boredom and keeps the stomach lined to prevent ulcers. We also have licks in the stables to help their intake of minerals and these work as a stimulant. The horses get fed three times a day and the feed has all the key trace elements and minerals in, but the licks are an extra treat.
Continuous Monitoring
All these essential elements of stable management are something that we are constantly monitoring. The staff know the horses well and can tell if they are not happy and need to move to a different area to help them settle. It is so important they are happy and healthy, if they are unwell or unhappy they will underperform, go off their feed and lose weight and then we cannot work them, creating a vicious circle, so we do everything we can to ensure their stable environment is safe and as natural as it can be.
