Minimum Standards of Care Policy

Policy Number 30
Effective: July 21, 2006 Version 2.0
Policy

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, Inc.’s (BEHS) policy is to provide adequate care to all fostered and adopted equines.

Procedure

The following Minimum Standards of Care will be provided for equines housed at approved foster and adoptive homes:

Feeding

  • Nutritious grain in sufficient quality and appropriate nutritive value unless equines are receiving adequate natural forage.
  • Diet shall be prepared with consideration for the age, breed/type, condition, size, work level and quantity of equine(s).
  • Equines shall have no less than a body condition score 4 and no more than 6 on the Henneke Condition Scoring Chart (BC) to be considered of adequate weight. Exceptions are made for arrivals on premises less than six months and showing continued documented improvement or for equines under the continued care of a veterinarian.

Equines with body condition score of less than 4 are expected to improve at the rate of 1 body condition score every month while in foster care with a thirty day grace period.  For example, a horse with a body condition score of 1 upon arrival into BEHS foster care is expected to be at body condition of 2 in 30-60 days and then increase one body condition score per month.

The foster home caring for any foster equine with a body condition score of 4 or less shall submit a weight tape reading to the Horse Records Manager every 30 days, along with the current feeding program (to include feed brand, amount fed, and number of feedings per day, type and quantity of forage)

Equines with a BC over a 6 should be put on a diet to help them lose weight.  Within three months, the equine should show significant weight loss and progress towards his/her ideal weight.

  • All feed and hay storage and feeding receptacles shall be kept clean and free from contaminants, such as feces, mold, mildew, insects, etc.
  • If more than one animal is fed at one time or in one place, it shall be the responsibility of the to ensure that each animal receives nutrition in sufficient quantity.
  • Minimum hay requirements shall be observed with the quality of hay representative of choice grasses in the local area. Equines should receive a minimum of 2% of their body weight in high quality hay per day unless equines are receiving adequate natural forage.  Exceptions may be made for equines who need less to maintain an acceptable Body Condition Score or for those who are on a diet for weight loss.

Necessary Veterinary Care

In the event that an equine has or is suspected to have an injury or illness that may require veterinary attention, the foster home will contact the Horse Records Manager or another officer of BEHS to obtain approval to obtain veterinary care per the Veterinary Procedures Policy in a timely manner:  Injuries or illness that would typically require veterinary attention include but are not limited to:

  • Shock
  • Colic
  • Founder
  • Trembling or inability to stand or walk
  • Broken bone
  • Deep tissue wound
  • Inability or unwillingness to eat or drink
  • Blistering or burns
  • Irregular or abnormal breathing
  • Partial or total paralysis
  • Abnormal discharge
  • Severe bleeding
  • Continued symptoms of heavy intestinal parasite load despite adequate deworming
  • Weight loss
  • Abnormal skin condition
  • Hair loss
  • Temperature fluctuation
  • Diarrhea
  • Lameness

Standard Care

  • Hoof care maintenance and trimming every six (6) to eight (8) weeks or as directed by a veterinarian or a farrier. Hoof care shall be done by an experienced person knowledgeable in standard farrier practice.  Exceptions may be made for horses who are not yet tame enough to have their feet handled.
  • Hooves should be cleaned out at least once/week.  Exceptions may be made for horses who are not yet tame enough to have their feet handled.
  • Parasites kept under control through either a daily deworming product or by deworming every eight (8) to twelve (12) weeks or as directed by a veterinarian.
  • Annual veterinary procedures as outlined in the Standard Veterinary Procedures Policy shall be performed.

Dental care

Routine dental work (floating) shall be performed at least once/year by a qualified veterinarian or equine dentist.  Floating may be recommended more often for certain equines by a qualified veterinarian or equine dentist.

Non-routine dental work shall be provided as needed in a reasonable amount of time.  Approval for non-routine dental work must be sought per the Veterinary Procedures Policy.

Water

Proper water is clean, potable water that is available at all times for all equines. Exceptions shall be determined by veterinary consultation of professionally accepted practices for the safety and well-being of the equine.

Equines that are being worked or are in transport shall be provided water as often as necessary for the health and comfort of the equine. Frequency of watering shall consider age, breed/type, condition, size and quantity of equine(s). Activity levels and climatic conditions must be considered.

All water receptacles shall be kept clean and free of contaminants and be positioned or affixed to minimize spillage.

 Space and Shelter for Each Equine

Each equine must be provided with space that is safe.  The space for each equine must be free from standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects, and debris.

Any fencing must be well maintained and in good repair at all times.  Fencing must be a minimum of four (4) foot tall.  T-post caps are recommended for large acreages and required for small acreages.

Each equine should be provided with adequate exercise.  Exceptions are granted when equines are under stall rest per a veterinary recommendation.

Stalled equines shall be exercised or turned out daily.  Exceptions shall be made for times of bad weather, injured or ill equines, or equines who are not yet tame enough to be exercised or lead to turn out areas.

While not all pastures or turn out areas must have man-made shelter, man-made shelter consisting of a roof and a minimum of two sides must be available as needed for ill, injured, older, or underweight horses.  The shelter shall be in good repair and free of standing water, accumulated waste, sharp objects, and debris.  There should be adequate space for each equine that will be sharing the shelter at any given time.

All shelter must have good ventilation.

Pasture and turnout area that do not have man-made shelter must have trees available for shelter.

Any cattleguard on the property will be fenced or gated off so that equines do not have access to it.

Miscellaneous

All equines must have adequate companionship.