Equine Standards of Care
The care of our horses is of primary importance to Little Bit’s operations. All horses are cared for in accordance with our Equine Standards of Care.
Feed and Water:
Horses must be provided with a diet to maintain proper body condition or weight to ensure a body condition score of a minimum of 4, with an ideal range of 4.5-5.5, unless a medical condition, or old age is confirmed by a veterinarian to prevent this despite adequate nutrition.
This will include support through multivitamin supplements and other appropriate supplements for their individual needs, as possible within the Equine Budget.
Horses must be fed a minimum of three times daily.
Horses must at all times have access to salt in either blocks or by daily doses of electrolyte salt in daily feed, unless there is a medical exemption.
Horses must have adequate clean water available at all times.
A daily walk through of the herd must be completed by a designated staff member.
Shelter and Cleaning:
Horses must be provided with a shelter suitable to their size.
All shelter must be maintained to a standard to be free of hazards including but not limited to:
Protruding nails, broken boards, unprotected windows.
Free of fire or electrical hazards such as exposed wires, damaged electrical sockets or light switches that could cause fire or electrocution. Light fixtures, switches and any wiring should be out of reach to horses.
Doors should be easily opened and of sufficient width as to allow the horse to freely walk through the door.
Flooring in the stall should be level and provide traction since excessively slippery floors can make movement, lying down and getting up difficult, and prevent the accumulation of standing water.
Fencing must be maintained for its purpose and so as not to present a hazard to the horses.
Horses must have at least 6 hours of turnout in paddocks per day unless extreme weather, or a veterinary diagnosis (such as rehabilitation) prevents it.
Horse enclosures must be cleaned at least once daily of manure and urine. This includes overnight enclosures and turnouts/shelters.
All horses must have adequate bedding in overnight enclosures each day/night. 2" to 4" depth across entire floor. Giving horses a bed to rest and lay down.
All horses that can be stalled, must be brought in during snow and, those in the outside paddocks must continue to be cleaned daily, and be provided with deep bedding for warmth. During these weather events water troughs must be checked at least twice daily, to make sure they are free from ice and are accessible.
Poisonous plants must be removed as part of regular maintenance from paddocks and turnout pastures.
Ventilation in enclosed areas must be sufficient to control excessive ambient temperature and prevent the accumulation of toxic gases, such as ammonia.
Areas where horses are groomed, shod or provided health care services must be kept as sanitary as possible.
Barns, storage sheds, hay barns and all other structures must be properly maintained to prevent injuries and maintain a healthy environment.
All cross ties and ties must be made of non-elastic materials, and tied or fastened with a quick release to a sturdy, stationary fixture.
Grooming and tacking areas must be clear of obstacles, accessible and spacious enough to allow the free movement of the equine and personnel.
Health Care:
Horses exhibiting signs of pain, suffering or failure to thrive from any medical condition or injury must receive veterinary care within an appropriate time period.
Horses must receive medication as instructed by a qualified veterinarian, and records relating to the administration of medications must be maintained for each individual horse.
When necessary, tranquilizing medications may be utilized for the: management, or safety of horse, for example to allow for veterinary care or farrier work, or for physical rehabilitation purposes. No horses should participate in adaptive classes, unmounted activities or therapy sessions while on tranquilizing medication. Schoolers, instructors and handlers must be notified if a horse they are working with under any capacity, mounted or unmounted, is receiving tranquilizers.
Horses that require tranquilizers to be successful at their jobs are not suitable for the program and will be retired.
Horses must be shod/trimmed by a qualified farrier on a 6 - 8 week schedule.
Blankets and fly masks/sheets must be clean and in good repair and used as appropriate during appropriate seasons.
Fly predators should be used if possible to keep fly population low.
Horses must receive vaccines twice annually, that will include a full series of core shots and a flu/rhino booster.
Horses must remain on a worming rotation or have herd fecal tests twice annually to prevent parasites.
Horses teeth must be inspected and where appropriate maintained annually by a qualified veterinarian.
Footing in arenas must be maintained for the comfort and health of the horses. Watered and dragged as appropriate to each season. 2" to 3" of footing across all areas.
Footing on track to be maintained for the comfort and health of the horses.
Integrative treatment modalities including but not limited to chiropractic, acupuncture and body work will be incorporated as needed to support the health of individual horses.
Tack must be kept properly fit to each horse.
Horses must be schooled, including grooming, on a regular schedule, recommended to be 3-4 days per week per horse, unless on break, natural disaster or medical purposes prevent it.
Horses must be evaluated at least annually for their individual weight carrying and workload limitations.
Horses will be housed in a way so as to allow for social interaction, for example across fences.
Transport:
Horses that are non-ambulatory, weak and/or debilitated, or those unable to bear weight on one or more legs must not be transported except to receive veterinary care.
Transport vehicles for horses must be safe and maintained in working conditions, including proper ventilation, floors, doors, and latches.
Little Bit Approvals:
Approved, designated individuals only may approve or pull horses for or pull them from classes for physical or behavioral issues. The suggested group includes: PATH Certified Instructors, Therapy Director, Schooling Coordinator, Equine Assistant and Equine Director. Final call on physical clearance comes from Equine Director. Behavior clearance remains with Schooling Coordinator, Equine Director and Horse Council.
Horse Council will discuss and make recommendations on the retirement and acceptance of horses into program. The decision on acceptance and or retirement will be made by vote by the designated panel.
Retirement and Rehoming
Once a decision is made to retire a horse from the program, care will be taken to place that horse in a suitable home with knowledgeable individuals able to provide appropriate care. Finding that home will take priority over selling the horse. Horses may be rehomed for $1 if this is the best option.
Should physical or behavioral issues dictate that a horse cannot safely be rehomed, Little Bit will determine if placement in a full care facility with frequent staff visits, or humane euthanasia is most appropriate. Horses retired from the program will not be taken to any type of auction.
Questions and queries related to our Equine Standards of Care should be directed to the Little Bit Executive Director, Paula Del Giudice at PaulaD@littlebit.org.
