Horses Living with Drought in Australia - An overview of 2004.

The greater majority of farmers throughout NSW believe that they are currently facing the worst drought seen in years.

 Horses in Drought Inc. have come across a multitude of issues that face horses in these areas on a daily basis.

Some properties that have been fortunate enough to have had small amounts of rainfall and have managed to sow crops, are currently faced with the reality of an onslaught of locust plagues.  Authorities are taking precautions and massive spraying efforts have continued throughout the later months of the year and will continue well into 2005, to try and reduce the severity of these menacing pests.  However, it is inevitable that some areas will end up with fields stripped bare and a shortage of feed reserves for the coming season. 

With feed scarce native animals are venturing closer to residential areas and once again striping the land of what little feed is available.  Kangaroos are especially notorious for this and also bring with them lice which has been reported to have spread to livestock on the properties they invade.   

With feed not always readily available and finances extremely tight, sourcing fodder is beyond the means of some farmers in remote areas.  Horses that have low roughage intakes are at risk of developing sand colic which can eventually lead to death.  Sporadic feeding regimes can also lead to the onset of ulcers in horses. 

 Reports of mares aborting foals has been common in areas with little water and inconsistent grazing.  This is a natural instinct in mares, as their bodies prepare to combat the drought to ensure their survival. 

The following table represents the percentages of drought effected areas across NSW during the periods July to December, 2004.  September recorded the highest percentage of area declared drought effected.  Some significant rainfall across the coastal regions of NSW resulted in the decrease of drought effected areas in November, however this trend may turn with hot weather forecasted for the Summer months.