The following guidelines are applicable to general equine management practices and are required of all persons adopting an equine from Habitat for Horses/LSER. While not exhaustive, they offer basic parameters for responsible equine ownership. In addition, any individual keeping equines must comply with all relevant state and local law. Statements in bold print are mandatory and no deviation is allowed.

·General Management Practices
·Enclosures, Shelter & Fencing
·Fencing
·Feed
·Water
·General Equine Health/Veterinary Care
·Breeding
·Humane Euthanasia
·Process for Adoption

·General Management Practices
Various types of enclosure are available to confine equines, including stalls, dry lots or pastures. Regardless of what technique(s) is employed, equines shall be provided sufficient opportunity and space to exercise daily and have freedom of movement as necessary to reduce stress and maintain good physical condition. Space and provisions for exercise shall be appropriate for the age, breed/type, condition and size of the equine.

Group pasturing of compatible equines to allow social interaction is encouraged. If equines are individually stalled, they must be able to make visual contact with other equines, unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian for the safety of the equine in question or other equines at the facility.

Numbers of equines should never exceed the ability of the adopter to feed and care for them properly. Such limits are dependent not only upon the physical health of the individual but also the financial ability to maintain proper management.

·Enclosures, Shelter & Fencing
Equines shall be provided with shelter that provides protection from extreme weather (including but not limited to prevailing wind, snow, sleet, rain, sun and temperature extremes). Run-in shelters consisting of a roof and three sides are relatively easy and inexpensive to construct, and are versatile: in times of inclement weather they allow equines shelter from the elements, while sides may be removed as needed in warmer weather with the remaining structure offering shelter from the sun.

Shelters shall be constructed to provide sufficient space for each equine to
turn around, lie down, move freely. Individual shelters must be provided for
each equine with a minimum space of 12’ X 12’ (or as appropriate for size -
i.e. 8X8 for a mini) and shall be designed to keep other animals out of such
enclosure when necessary. Horses need access to the shelter during periods
of extreme cold or heat but not necessarily during the normal course of the
day. Under Texas law, a tree is NOT considered a shelter.
 

Shelters shall be constructed or modified to allow free air flow to control temperature, humidity and prevent air stagnation.

All enclosures and shelters shall be kept in good repair and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects and debris.

·Fencing
Fencing shall be of solid construction, without sharp edges, and visible to equines. Electric fencing may be used, but shall be visibly marked for horses (via brightly colored hanging streamers or ties) and humans (via signage). Under. no circumstance is the use of barbed wire fencing acceptable in any area of 5 or less acres or along any side of any area separating equines from one another. Fencing shall be monitored on a regular basis to ensure its safety and effectiveness is maintained.

·Feed
Equines shall receive at a minimum the equivalent of 3% of their body weight in high quality forage and grain per day. If natural forage is insufficient in quality or quantity, quality hay representative of choice grasses in the local area shall supplement the diet.

Diet shall be planned with consideration for the age, breed/type, condition, size and activity level of the equine.

If more than one animal is fed at the same place and time, it shall be the responsibility of the owner/caretaker to ensure that each equine receives nutrition in sufficient quantity. If necessary, equines shall be separated to ensure each has access to adequate nutrition without interference from more dominant individuals.

All storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free of contaminants, such as feces, mold, mildew and insects. Stored feed shall be kept in such a manner that no equine shall gain access to it.

·Water
Pastured or stalled equines shall have access to clean, potable water at all times. Exceptions shall be determined by veterinary consultation only when necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the equine.

Equines who are being trained, worked, ridden or transported shall be provided water as often as necessary for their health and comfort. Frequency of watering shall take into consideration the age, breed/type, condition and size of the equine. Activity levels and climatic conditions must also be considered.

All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of hazardous contaminants and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage. Where possible, receptacles shall be placed in shaded areas in warm climates. Use of defrosters to prevent freezing in inclement weather is recommended.

·General Equine Health/Veterinary Care
Equines shall maintain a body condition of no less than a score 4 on the Henneke Condition Scoring Chart. Exceptions shall be made for equines under the regular care of a veterinarian for a medical condition.

Equines shall receive hoof care/maintenance and trimming every twelve (12) weeks or sooner, or as directed by a veterinarian or farrier. An experienced person knowledgeable in standard farrier practice shall perform hoof care. Exceptions may be determined by veterinary or other expert consultation when such care is unnecessary or would endanger the equine in question and/or his caretaker(s), i.e., in the case of wild or untamed equines.

Equines shall be treated for parasites through routine worming every twelve (12) weeks or as directed by a veterinarian.

Equines shall receive vaccinations as recommended by a veterinarian.

Equines shall receive an annual dental check-up and treatment as necessary to ensure proper and adequate food digestion.

Screening for Equine Infection Anaemia (via Coggins Test) is recommended for all equine and is mandated by law in the following cases:

• When equines are being transported across state lines
• When equines are being transferred to a new home with other equines
• When equines are at shows or other gatherings.

A veterinary professional shall be contacted immediately if an equine is known or suspected to have experienced or displayed injuries, illnesses or symptoms including by not limited to: partial or total paralysis, broken bones, inability to bear weight on limb(s), lameness, severe open wounds, abnormal discharge of bleeding, severe parasitic infestation or infection, abnormal skin condition or hair loss, marked weight loss, loss of appetite or inability to eat or drink, persistent diarrhea, shock, colic, choke, founder, tremors, swelling or abnormal temperature fluctuations.

·Breeding
No breeding of equines is permissible. All studs shall be gelded, except when determined by a veterinarian to be medically dangerous for the equine. Studs unable to be gelded shall be kept separate from mares. If pastured, studs shall be physically separated from pastured mares by a buffer zone of at least 10 feet constructed of adequate fencing.

If a pregnant mare(s) is adopted, a veterinarian shall provide necessary care. Following birth, mother and foal shall be allowed to stay together for 4 months minimum.

·Humane Euthanasia
Humane euthanasia shall be employed:

• When an equine is not mobile and a veterinarian is of the opinion that mobility will not return;
• When an equine is experiencing continual pain for which there is no medical relief or the relief is not within the financial capability of the adopter;
• When an equine is affected by a degenerative medical condition for which there is no cure; and
• When an equine is dangerous to him/herself or other animals or humans.

Only a licensed veterinarian may administer euthanasia, except in an extreme emergency when a veterinarian is not available. A veterinarian shall examine the carcass to verify, in writing, such immediate need as per the Adoption Contract. Carcass shall be disposed of in compliance with all relevant law. You must immediately notify HfH/LSER of such euthanasia.

·Process for Adoption
Once we receive your application fee, completed application and references, we will inspect your property. If it fails to meet the minimum standards, we will tell you what needs to be done and give you a brief period to meet the requirements. We will run a background check on you to check for criminal history, especially in the area of animal abuse. We will contact your vet, farrier and references to determine the type of care the horse may receive.

If this is your first horse, you will be required to meet with a farrier and a vet prior to completing your application. We must receive letters from them showing intent and/or past history.

You will be required to spend some time with the horse before you take it home. You must show knowledge of hoof care, medication, worming, illness and, if the horse can be ridden, your riding skill. If you need to develop your skills in this area, look at our Horsemanship Program.

If you can provide the best home for the horse, you or someone you know must provide the transportation. While we don't expect everyone to own a horse trailer, you will need to have immediate access to one in case of an emergency.

We will inspect your property and the horse several times throughout the first two years to make certain that you are maintaining the minimum standards and to check on the health of the horse. If we feel that the horse is in immediate danger, we will remove the horse. If the horse is not in immediate danger but not in a healthy state, you will be given the chance to correct the situation, usually within one or two days.

Not only is it important for us to know that the horse is going to a safe and secure home, we want to know that your experience will be rewarding. We will be available to help you with whatever knowledge you need in horsemanship.