Level Three Extended Diploma in Horse management Understand the requirements of a stable kept and grass - kept horse

Aims – Compare different stable designs and their impact on equine welfare – Assess potential hazards and risks to horses kept at grass – Evaluate benefits of caring for horses that are stabled, grass – kept and on combined systems Objectives – Identify at least five hazards which can pose a risk to a horse kept at grass, stabled and on a combined system – State the pros and cons of each of the systems studied within the assignment – Identify horses that are kept under the three different systems

Stabled – Clarification = Stabled all or most of the time Grass-Kept – Clarification = In the field all the time Combined – Clarification = Mixture of time spent in the stable and in the field. Often dependent on weather conditions

Task One 10 minutes Split into three groups. Each group will identify the pros and cons of each of the systems – Grass-kept – Stabled – Combined Discuss with the rest of the group

Stabled Controlled environment – Bedding – Temperature – Ventilation – Company diet – Exercise Hazards – Health of the horse – physically and psychologically – Health of the rider/ handler

Grass-kept Natural environment – Forage type – Adlib eating – Shelter – Enables horses to move freely – Relatively lower cost – Companionship Hazards – Security – Weather – Forage

Combined system Best of both worlds – Shelter from adverse weather conditions and flies within the summer – Provision of exercise Hazards – Time consuming – Expensive to maintain stable and field – Higher likelihood for horses to injure themselves

Task Two In the same three groups identify horses on the equine yard or your yard that follow one of the systems. Write about the horse’s routine and care Discuss the horses physical and psychological condition Discuss with the rest of the group

Home study Find the information on different stable designs prior to the next session.

Aims – Compare different stable designs and their impact on equine welfare – Assess potential hazards and risks to horses kept at grass – Evaluate benefits of caring for horses that are stabled, grass – kept and on combined systems Objectives – Identify at least five hazards which can pose a risk to a horse kept at grass, stabled and on a combined system – State the pros and cons of each of the systems studied within the assignment – Identify horses that are kept under the three different systems