Standard Operating Procedure for Horse Care at Field Events
v.
3/08/01
1.
Watering:
(a) Minimum standard: * Horses should be watered three times daily in June, July, August, and September; twice a day in other months.
(b)
Minimum standard: * If water is located a long distance from camp (as in
some backcountry events) horses should be ridden to water at a walk going and
returning. Preferred standard: Ride to water bareback or using a folded blanket
and surcingle in place of a saddle. * The bit should be removed before the horse
drinks.
(c)
Water containers or watering troughs may be used at each
unit's discretion. Horses from other units are not permitted to use a watering
trough without permission of the unit commander.
2.
Feeding:
(a)
Minimum standard: * Horses shall be fed three times a day, in the
morning, mid-day, and evening. Preferred standard is either providing free
choice access to grass hay, or feeding four times daily, unless the horse
requires dietary restrictions, or is being worked heavily (see below).
(b)
Nosebags are not to be left on unattended horses.
(c)
* If the horse is to be worked heavily, as in some backcountry events, it
is advisable to give him one-third of his grain at each meal, and most of his
hay in the evening.
3.
Grooming:
(a)
Minimum standard: * Horses shall be groomed twice a day, in the morning
and evening. Preferred standard is
to groom horses thoroughly in the morning, and again before each ride. * Proper
grooming procedures should be
followed as described in Congdon’s (attachment).
4.
Picketing:
(a)
Preferred standard: * Horses
shall be secured to a chest-high hemp rope 3/4 inches in diameter, strung
tightly between posts or trees. Manila
or sisal ropes are more likely to injure horses should they become entangled.
Therefore, if hemp ropes are not available, picketing horses to a high line is
preferred.
(b)
Lead ropes or straps shall be secured to the picket line with a
quick-release knot. The lead shall be tied just long enough for the horse to
reach the ground with its nose by pulling the line down a bit.
(c)
Picket lines shall be set so as to provide shade on hot days. Protection
from inclement weather (i.e. heavy rain, sleet, or hail) shall be provided,
either by blanketing horses or picketing them under shelter (trees, arbors,
etc.)
(d)
Minimum standard: * Horse areas shall be cleaned once daily, manure and
soiled bedding removed. Preferred standard is cleaning horse areas twice or more
each day.
(e)
The use of picket pins and lariats is discouraged at public events, but
is allowed if the picketed horse is attended at all times and has a clear space
of 80 feet (a circle with a 40-foot
radius.) The lariat shall be of hemp* or cotton to prevent injury to the horse.
(f)
Horses are never to be tied to a picketline or any object by the reins,
only by the lead rope/strap.
(g)
Horses shall be unsaddled or unharnessed, cooled down, and groomed at the
conclusion of a ride. Groomed, saddled horses may be left on the picketline for
the purposes of static living history demonstrations, but must be attended at
all times. Bridles, swords and guns shall never be left on a picketed horse.
5.
Cooling Overheated Horses.
(a)
Apply cool water on the horse's chest, jugular groove, and the insides of
the legs and walk him in a shaded area until his temperature returns to normal.
6.
Horse
Guards.
(a)
Minimum standard: A horse guard shall be posted at all times when the public is
present. Preferred standard is to post a horse guard at all times.
Horse guards shall be instructed as to proper procedure if a horse
becomes entangled in the lines. Horse
guards shall carry a knife at all times to cut tangled horses loose. Night
guards shall have quick access to a lantern or flashlight, horse first aid kit,
and local veterinarian's phone number.
7.
Procedure
for Sick and Injured Horses.
(a)
A horse first aid kit and the phone number for a veterinarian shall be
kept in each horse camp, and its location made known to all horse guards.
(b) Horse guards shall be instructed how to recognize health emergencies (such as colic.) If a horse becomes sick or injured, the horse guard shall notify horse's owner or rider as soon as practical. The horse’s owner shall make decisions regarding medical treatment, unless he or she cannot be notified in a timely fashion. Horse guards should exercise good judgment in rendering aid to sick or injured horses without endangering themselves.