Everything You Need To Know About Horses

Horse Care Drought Tips

• Consider “billeting” your horse/s to an area with more grazing if you can find one. This is a long shot but worth a try, although many agistment centres now have a drought levy fee on top of regular prices. Ask around at any agistment centres clost to home and if they can’t help, widden your search. Some owners are even sending their horses interstate until the worst of the drought is over.
• Be aware of weeds. When there’s not much grazing available, horses could be tempted to eat weeds they might normally avoid. The purple flowering Patterson’s Curse (also known as Salvation Jane) is a huge problem as it flourishes during dry conditions. Horses who eat this weed suffer long term liver damage that can be fatal. Paddocks full of Patterson’s Curse look pretty, but it’s deadly to horses.
• If your horse is being fed mostly hay because there isn;t any grazing in his paddock, then it’s a good idea to dampen it down first to avoid it impacting in the horse’s stomach, which can lead to colic.
• While we’re stuck in the midst of a horrible drought right now, sooner or later it will break. When it does, remember back to those drought times and devise a drought management plan for the future. Stockpile hay and feed when it becomes more plentiful and prices come down, it will keep for many years if stored correctly.
• Horses burn energy to keep warm in cold weather so rugging your horse will help preserve his condition meaning he”ll need less feed.
• Avoid feeding your horse processed foods for humans or other animals. They’re not designed to digest it as they don’t have the digestive enzymes to recognise them as food. Animal protein such as dog biscuits can have a toxic effect on horses.
• Make sure your horse’s teeth are in good condition, if he has sharp edges he wont be able to chew properly and utilise whatever feed your are giving him.
• Will it ever rain again ? ! Sooner or later it will, then watch the grass florish. Unfortunately this isn’t without its own set of problems. The new growth can lead to colic, a pasture full of ryegrass can result in a condition called “ryegrass staggers” while other weeds can cause stringhalt and photosensitization.

Many rural councils and organisations like the RSPCA offer seminars on coping with drought, some are free while others charge a small fee. Speakers usually include vets and agricultural specialists, take advantage of their expertise, go along and ask questions relevant to conditions in your area.