Horse Sport Ireland releases advice on horse welfare during freezing conditions

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh has said that in the current weather conditions it was important that horse welfare was foremost in people's minds.

Therefore, Horse Sport Ireland has once again asked Dr Joe Collins, 2010 President of Veterinary Ireland, to recommend procedures for horse owners in Ireland during the current extreme weather conditions.

Mr Collins says that there are five key areas that can safeguard the welfare of horses we keep.

These are:

1) Many water pipes and automatic drinkers are frozen; check them daily. Ensure that horses have access to an adequate supply of clean water that is not freezing cold; they drink a surprising amount even in very cold weather.

2) Horses generate large amounts of heat through the process of digestion, especially the breaking down of fibrous food in the large intestine, so provide forage (hay or haylage) on an ad lib basis supplemented with concentrates and not the other way round.

3) Unless very thin-skinned or clipped, horses cope with dry, cold weather remarkably well. They fare worst when extreme cold is combined with wet, windy conditions. They now need protection from over-exposure. Don’t clip the natural hair or groom all the natural oils from horses’ coats without good reason. Provide shelter from driving wind and rain using barriers like waterproof rugs, hedges and man-made structures.

4) Check horses at least once daily for signs of illness and injury. Try and prevent the most likely and act promptly when any occur. Sick horses deteriorate more rapidly in severe weather conditions.

5) Horses fare best in groups and when they have jobs to do. They are sociable animals that, in the main, enjoy the company of other animals and people.

Joe Walsh added: "Most horse owners are very responsible and knowledgable, but there are a very small number of people out there who are careless and at a time like this carelessness can have serious implications."

He said that a system, backed by legislation to track horse ownership was needed.

"We must be able to hold owners accountable for the care of their horses so that we can weed out unscrupulous people,” he explained.