THE HORSE GAZETTE
equine behavior
stall confinement...the cause of many problems
By Eleanor Blazer ©2009
Your heart is racing; ing is not the same thing as
• Cribbing – If a horse
mation of the growth plate in the
Confinement is not
known as chronic obstructive
your palms are sweating; your cribbing. When a horse chews,
clenches the edge of an object
long bones; resulting in pain,
conducive to healthy balanced
pulmonary disease (COPD).
knees are weak…are you having he splinters the wood, which is
with his front teeth - such as a
heat and swelling of the joints
hooves.
Horses prone to
a heart attack? then dropped or swallowed. The
board or his feed tub-- arches his
(primarily the knees, hocks and
• Injury – the main
heaves cannot tolerate dust,
No – you’re watching splinters can cause laceration of
neck and then appears to suck air
fetlocks).
reason we confine horses to a
mold, pollen and other allergens
your favorite mare race around the gums, tongue and mucous
- he is cribbing. You can usually
Exercise is an impor-
stall is to avoid injury. But stall
present in the environment. Stall
the pasture like a lunatic. membrane. The wood splinters
hear a grunting noise which can
tant part of joint development
confinement can cause injury.
confinement concentrates these
Her “airs above can also cause problems in the
sound like a burp or belch.
and health. Growing foals need
Horses can become
potential COPD triggers result-
the ground” are outstanding; digestive tract. The damage
Confinement is only
exercise. The freedom to run
cast. A cast horse is one that
ing in an attack to the respiratory
her rollbacks before she hits done to wooden walls can be
one of the many causes of crib-
and play enhances bone growth
has tried to roll over, but is too
system. COPD rarely develops
the fence are perfect; her lead extensive and expensive.
bing. One or more of the fol-
and development. Forced ex-
close to the wall. The legs are
in horses not confined.
changes are precise. But you’re Horses in confine-
lowing may also cause cribbing
ercise is not good for foals and
up against the wall and the horse
Air tight stalls should
thinking of putting her in her ment usually chew because they
- environment, lack of forage,
should be avoided.
cannot stand. While, this can
be avoided. Good air circula-
stall before she injures herself. are bored or lack long-stem fiber
over-feeding of concentrates,
Do not keep foals
happen in a pasture, it is more
tion, free of drafts is a must for
Stall confinement (forage).
ulcers and boredom.
confined in a stall or small
common in stalls.
stabled horses.
makes us feel good, but how • Colic – colic is the
In addition to damag-
area.
A cast horse can
• Ulcers – an ulcer is
about the horse? word we use to describe any
ing property, cribbing wears
• Enteroliths – En-
injure himself while struggling
a painful lesion in the lining of
“Confine” means: “to equine stomach pain, regardless
down the teeth. Colic tends to
teroliths or bezoars are stones
to get up. If he is not found and
the digestive system.
restrict; to incarcerate; to limit; of cause. The horse is a continu-
present itself more often in crib-
that form in the intestinal tract of
rescued, a twisted intestine or
There are many causes
to keep within a boundary”. It ous grazer. In his natural envi-
bers. Many dedicated cribbers
horses. They are made of min-
suffocation may occur.
of ulcers. Lack of forage, too
doesn’t sound very pleasant. ronment the horse is constantly
prefer to crib than eat, resulting
erals - primarily magnesium,
To avoid the chances
much concentrate in the diet,
Stall confinement can on the move, – searching for for-
in weight loss.
ammonium and phosphate. The
of a horse becoming cast, stalls
lack of exercise, stress, medica-
protect your horse from injury age and water. The movement
• Developmental Or-
cause of the stone formation is
should be large and bedding
tions or drugs that damage the
and foul weather. But it leads aids digestive mobility.
thopedic Disease (DOD) – This
under constant research. At this
piled around the sides to prevent
protective coating of the stom-
to other problems. Confinement restricts
disease is seen in young, fast
time it is believed that entero-
the horse from getting too close
ach and poor management of the
• Chewing – chew- this natural aid to digestion.
growing horses. It is the inflam-
lithiasis is caused by several
to the wall. There are com-
horse are a few. Horses confined
factors: genetic, environment
mercial products on the market
to stalls tend to be exposed to
Millerbilt
• F
and diet.
Arm • rAnch • commerciAl
claimed to help prevent a horse
one or more of these ulcer caus-
Stall confinement
from becoming cast.
ing circumstances.
and lack of access to pasture in-
Neglecting the care of
• Weaving or Stall
A
Custom Sizes Available
ll Steel BuildingS
creases the risk of enterolith de-
the stall may also cause injury.
Walking – Weaving or stall
velopment. Exercise improves
Periodically the stall should be
walking provides many things
Compare our buildings with any in the industry and you won’t find a the mobility of the intestinal
inspected for nails, loose or rot-
- exercise, relief from boredom,
better deal. With 20 years experience, we can erect your building
tract and grass is thought to di-
ten boards and solid flooring.
unbalanced hooves, uneven stall
anywhere in Texas and surrounding states.
lute the mineral concentration.
Water cups, feeders and other
floor, decrease in calories lead-
• Hoof Problems –
pieces of equipment need to be
ing to weight loss and energy
unbalanced hooves; dry, brittle
inspected.
loss. It is a sign the horse is
hooves; soft, rotten hooves are
not happy.
a few hoof related problems
Healthy horses, lack-
If you make a list with
All prices are turnkey.
caused by stall confinement.
ing sufficient exercise, can
the pros and cons of keeping a
We want to provide
injure themselves while trying to
horse confined the negative side
our horses with absorbent bed-
release excessive energy. Kick-
will be longer. Horses need
ding and a clean, soft area to
ing, rearing, pacing, pawing and
exercise, companionship, fresh
rest. But this environment can
other extreme movement can
air and mental stimulation.
cause heel and quarter cracks,
lead to injury.
But we confine them
and contracted heals – leading
• Restricted Blood
anyway!
to unbalanced hooves.
Circulation – horses need ex-
Lack of blood flow to
Our buildings feature all Hayshed - Roof Only
Implement - Enclosed back and two
ercise to stay healthy. Exercise
* Earn a Bachelor of
the hooves due to restricted ex-
new I-beam main frame with
end walls.
promotes increase blood circula-
Science degree in equine studies
ercise is detrimental to a healthy
8-inch roof and 6-inch wall
29x40x12.................................... $8,950
tion, needed by the equine body
or certification as a Professional
hoof. Navicular disease is very
purlins. The roof and wall
39x60x14.................................... $13,950
29x40x12.................................... $10,950
to remain healthy.
Horse Trainer or Riding Instruc-
common in horses confined.
sheets are 26 gauge.
49x100x16.................................. $23,950
39x60x14.................................... $17,950
49x100x16.................................. $34,950
• Respiratory Con-
tor. Start your new career as a
An uneven surface in
ditions – dust, mold and lack of
riding instructor, horse trainer,
e
Fully Enclosed - one 3x7 walk door,
the stall can lead to strain on the
rneSt miller
fresh air will lead to respiratory
or stable manager. All courses
one framed opening joints, ligaments and tendons.
problems.
are online. Start anytime and
705 Trey Cr. Road • Floresville, Texas 78114 29x40x12.................................... $12,600
If the stall is allowed
The most renowned
work at your own pace. Visit
to become wet – and remains
Phone: (830) 393-5141
39x60x14.................................... $21,400
horse related respiratory prob-
www.horsecoursesonline.com
49x100x16.................................. $37,950
wet, the hoof can become rotted
lem is called “heaves”, also for information.
and thrush may develop.
Horses for the
Specializing in Safe
orks!
and Child!
Amateur
Our Buyer Guarantee
Program W
209 CR 403 - Marble Falls, TX 78654
Luke is a beautiful registered 5-yr-old son of Mr. San Pepe.
Cody is a 10 year old registered safe, safe, safe, QH. Cody
He stands 14 3 hands and seems to be a sweet nice horse
stands just under 15 hands. His Poco Pine Bar and Gay Bar
with great breeding. Luke has finished his evaluation and
King breeding make his disposition predictable. Cody is
he is absolutely amazing. He will stand quietly while you
beautiful and a really nice horse to ride. He loves to trail ride
talk, stand tied to the trailer, absolutely one of the nicest
and is safe as can be. He would make a great 4 H horse, or a
minded horses we have had here at the ranch. He is a
family horse as his quiet disposition, beauty and safety make
great young horse that will serve a family for years and very
him a wonderful asset to any family. Nothing seems to bother
exceptional in his youth and his mild kind disposition.
him so far, dogs, cars, and commotion on the ranch
Oh my gosh Nigel is a nice horse! This guy is absolutely We’re lucky to get in Diago as we don’t normally get horses
bomb proof. We have had him everywhere on the ranch and this young with this AMAZING personality and safety. This
he is a complete babysitter yet extremely responsive and fun guy is a registered QH with Doc Bar breeding. Diego is
to ride. Nigel came from a ranch and feedlot work. He will 7-yrs-old and stands 14 3 hands. Nothing seems to bother
side pass, has a great handle, is fun fun to ride, and just a this horse and he is a complete pet. He loves people,
trooper. This is a great animal plus the almighty Buckskin that wants to please you and is amazingly unflappable. Diego
folks seem to want now. He is very hairy as he came from is especially fond of children. He is a great family horse
north Texas but will shed out a beautiful Buckskin color in the candidate.
spring. Nigel stands 15 hands and is 12 years old.
Our horses are selling so fast this year that we ask you to please call us with
your wish list so we can let you know if we get one that could suite you and
your family. If the horse doesn’t suit your needs, we’ll trade out for another of
our fine horses! Please check our web site to view them and review our buyer
quarantee program.
Call Pat Dickey at 830-693-8253
Fax: 830-693-6177 • E-mail: Pat@tonkawood.com
www.CapstoneSaddlery.com
Visit us at www.Tonkawood.com for our latest arrivals.
Page 6 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com
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