Contemporary solutions

Husbandry techniques

to keep horses happy

The stabling solution?

• Combined system.

– Stabled during periods of bad weather & at night in winter.

– Possibly stabled during day in summer to avoid flies, but turned out at night.

• Can be adapted to suit individual requirements & conditions.

• Depends on work programme of both horse & handler.

Alternative methods of housing

• Group housing (barn / yard / shelter & yard housing).

• Corrals (outdoors / roofed).

• Stabling with free outdoor access (to individual pens).

• Pens (individual or in groups).

• Field shelters.

Group housing

Group housing

Group yard housing

Corrals

Corrals

Stabling with free outdoor

access to pens

Individual pens

Group pens

Field shelters

Field shelters

Group housing

• Pros • Cons

Group housing

• Pros

• Often more natural• Less isolated• More free movement• Allows socialisation • Often free choice feeding• Protection from elements

& mud• Quicker, easier &

cheaper to manage

• Cons

• Risk of injury• Bullying• Competition for food• Strong pair bonding may

develop

Feeding• Maximise grazing.• Maximise roughage portion of ration (ad lib?).• Minimise concentrate portion of ration.• Offer a selection of roughage types.• Feed at a variety of points across the housing (simulate

grazing).• Feed at floor level.