All the experts agree that relief from the current
drought is at least 12 months away, so planning
must extend well beyond just until the first rains.
Careful planning and management is crucial for the long term benefit
of your stock and your pastures. Do not wait until your animals
are in unacceptable condition to act
Feed supplies from one source can dry up quickly, you need
to plan ahead
deaths can result from a sudden change in feed.
New foods must be introduced gradually.
You should estimate how long supplies will last and source
new supplies before the current supply is exhausted to allow
time to introduce a new feed stuff if necessary.
Remember when using supplementary feeds that your horses need
a minimum of 1% of their body weight per day in roughage (pasture,
crop residue, hay or chaff) to maintain their digestive processes.
Rug your horses once the weather starts to cool down. Rugging
reduced the amount of energy your horse will need to keep warm,
ensuing that the feed you are providing your horse is being used
to maintain or gain weight, instead of being used trying to stay
warm.
Care must be taken not to allow to much damage to occur to pastures.
Overly grazed paddocks will not recover when the drought breaks.
It is better to sacrifice an area of pasture and contain your
animals in this small area for the long term benefit of your stock.
This containment area must have
shade
shelter
good drainage
access to good quality water.
The containment area should be set back from watercourses
and water storages by 500meters.
Many properties already have yards or smaller paddocks that
may be suitable, if not an area of 30m x 60m should be sufficient
for 2 - 4 horses. You will however need to ensure that the horses
have an adequate exercise program.
Unless you can demonstrate that you are financially able to
feed all your animals through this extended period it may be kinder
to put these animals down now.
Breeding programs should also be suspended as lactating and
pregnant mares require higher levels of feed.
.
Score
Neck
Back and Ribs
Pelvis
Picture
0
Very Poor
Marked "ewe" neck. Narrow and
slack at the base.
Skin tight over ribs Spinous processes sharp
and easily seen
Angular pelvis -skin tight. Deep cavity under
tail and either side of croup.
1
Poor
"Ewe" Neck. Narrow and slack at
the base.
Ribs easily visible. Skin sunken either side
of the backbone. Spinous processes well defined.
Rump sunken, but skin supple. Pelvis and croup
defined. Deep depression under tail.
2
Moderate
Narrow but firm
Ribs just visible Backbone well covered. Spinous
processes felt.
Rump flat either side of the backbone. Croup
well defined, some fat. Slight cavity under tail.
3
Good
No crest (except - stallions). Firm Neck
Ribs just covered easily felt. No "gutter
along back. Spinous process covered but can be felt
Covered by fat and rounded. No "gutter".
Pelvis easily felt.
4
Fat
Slight Crest Wide and Firm
Ribs well covered - need firm pressure "gutter"
along backbone.
"Gutter" to root of tail. Pelvis
covered by soft fat - felt only with firm pressure.
5 Vert Fat
Marked Crest Very wide and firm. Folds of
fat.
Ribs buried - cannot feel. Deep "gutter"
Broad flat back.
Deep "Gutter" to root of tail. Skin
distended. Pelvis buried _ cannot feel.
This information has been
sourced from " Drought Feeding & Management for Horses" by David
Nash, Published by the Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation, Level 1, AMA House, 42 Macquarie Street, Barton ACT,
Ph. 02 6727 4539 Fax 02 6272 5877, www.rirdc.gov.au
