Horse and Stable Management E-Book

Jeremy Houghton Brown

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 630

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

Since the first edition was published in 1984 Horse and Stable Management has become the recognised source of reliable information on all aspects of the practical management of horses and ponies. It is now the established textbook for everyone who owns a horse or works with horses. This fourth edition has been radically revised and reorganised to include the most up-to-date and accurate procedures and advice. With many new photographs, Horse and Stable Management includes chapters covering evolution and behaviour, conformation and action, routine preventive measures, nursing the sick horse, first aid, lameness and the management of breeding stock. Horse and Stable Management is essential reading for those taking British Horse Society and Association of British Riding Schools examinations as well as those taking college equine courses or National Vocational Qualifications in horse care and management. The Authors Jeremy Houghton Brown was manager of the British National Equestrian Centre and the British Racing School, then for many years principal lecturer in equine studies at Warwickshire College, where he started and pioneered British equine education. Above all, he is an experienced, practical horseman. Sarah Pilliner is an equine consultant specialising in horse care. She is also an experienced lecturer, competition rider, senior examiner, and the author of several books. Zoe Davies is a former lecturer in equine science, a consultant equine nutritionist, author and external examiner for higher education courses. She has substantial experience in equine management and training. From previous reviews: 'A new classic... a clearly written and easily understood handbook.' Riding 'It is extremely comprehensive. It is also accurate. In fact, a most valuable book for anyone who owns a horse.' Horse and Hound 'The approach and contents are refreshingly different... very informative and a valuable source of reference.' Horse and Rider

Leseprobe

Contents

Preface

Part 1: The horse

1 Horse care through understanding its origins

Horses and humans

Evolution and domestication of the horse

Equus family

Domestication

Breeds and types

The horse in Europe and Asia

The horse in America

Natural behaviour of horses

Natural management methods

2 Describing the horse

Sex

Height

Colour

Markings

Age

Description of type

Breeds

3 Conformation and action

Static conformation

Dynamic conformation

Assessment of conformation

The most suitable horse or pony

Five-stage vetting procedure

Part 2: The horse in sickness and health

4 The healthy horse

Temperature

Pulse

Respiration rate

Maintaining health

5 Routine healthcare

Worming

Worm control

Pasture management

Vaccination

Guidelines for tetanus, equine influenza and EHV vaccination

Routine care of the feet

The teeth

6 The sick horse

Bacteria

Viruses

Fungi

The immune system

7 Nursing the sick horse

Disease symptoms

Sick nursing

Giving medicine

Types of wound and wound healing

Treatment of injury

Pressure bandages

Feeding the sick horse

8 First aid

First-aid kit

Open wounds

Closed wounds

Wound healing

Bone fractures

First-aid procedure

9 Lameness

Examination at rest

Examining the horse during movement

Identifying the exact source of pain

Exercise and the lame horse

Feeding the lame horse

Treatment for lameness

Physiotherapy

Part 3: The systems of the horse

10 Systems of support and movement

Bones and cartilage

Joints

Tendons and ligaments

Skeleton

Muscles

Muscle fibre types

Fatigue

Disorders of the skeletal, articular and muscular systems

11 Systems of information and control

The nervous system

Endocrine system (hormonal system)

The endocrine glands

Disorders of the systems of information and control

Stable vices

The senses

12 The circulatory system

The heart

Regulation of the heartbeat

Blood vessels

Heart abnormalities in horses

Heart monitors

Blood

Blood tests

Disorders of the circulatory system

13 The respiratory system

Air passages and the lungs

Breathing

Disorders of the respiratory system

14 The skin

Structure

Protection

Stabilising body heat

Waste disposal

Camouflage

Synthesis of vitamin D

Disorders of the skin

Girth galls/saddle sores

15 The digestive system

The digestive tract

Mouth

Stomach

Small intestine

Pancreas

Large intestine

Fermentation

Ailments related to feeding or the digestive tract

Laminitis (founder)

Diarrhoea

Grass sickness

Choke

16 The theory of feeding

Bodyweight

Ration analysis

Nutrient requirement for horses

Rationing

The rules of rationing

17 Practical feeding and watering

Rules of feeding

Forage

Hay

Silage

Haylage

Alfalfa

Concentrates

Supplements and additives

Monitoring condition (see Figure 17.1)

Nutritional requirements of elderly horses

Nutrition of the sick horse

Watering horses

The ‘rules of watering’

Part 4: Work in the stable yard

18 Handling horses

Basic handling of horses

Approaching the horse in the stable

Putting on a headcollar or halter

Securing the horse

Leading a horse in hand off-road

Presenting a horse for inspection

Turning out into a field

Catching a horse in the field

Simple methods of restraint

19 The daily routine

Yard routine

Housing

The stable environment

Beds and bedding

The early morning and late-night check

20 Yard work and riding out

Yard maintenance

Disposal of manure

Weekly chores

Personal hygiene

Lifting heavy objects

The feed room

The hay barn and plastic-packed forage

Monitoring feed stocks

Riding out

21 Staff and the law

Yard staff

Working relationships

Supervisory skills

Staff training

Staff contracts

The law

22 Health and safety

Duties of employers

Duties of staff

Safety policy and records

First aid

Accident procedures (when a person is badly hurt)

Accident prevention

Part 5: Horse care

23 Horse clothing

Care of tack

Rugs

Bandages

Boots

24 Saddlery and tack

Bridles and bits

Nosebands

Martingales

Breastplate (Figure 24.26)

Schooling aids

Saddles

Tacking up

Untacking

Care of the horse after untacking

Other saddlery

Care of tack and horse clothing

25 Preparing horses for use

Grooming

Preparing the horse for competition

Care of the horse after exercise

Improving the horse’s appearance

Clipping

26 Travelling horses

Clothing for travelling

Procedure before travelling

Loading a horse into a vehicle

Coping with a shy loader

Transporting horses

Unloading a horse from a vehicle

Care of the horse when travelling

Travelling mares and foals, inexperienced travellers and stallions

Feeding and watering on journeys

27 The horse at grass

Requirements of a paddock

Fencing

Unsuitable fencing

Gates

Paddock management

Stocking rate

Pasture management through the year

Harrowing

Fertilisers

Rolling

Weed control

Clover

Ragwort

Rotating and topping

Collection of droppings

Pasture improvement

Soil acidity

Plant nutrients

Working horses from grass

Feed and mineral blocks

Management routine

28 Lungeing horses

Why lunge?

The lungeing equipment

Fitting lungeing equipment

The aids

Lungeing a horse for exercise

Practice for lungers

More advanced work

Part 6: Horse care in action

29 Care of the hunter and sports horse

Getting the horse fit

Feeding

Care of the horse during the season

30 The competition horse

Getting the competition horse fit

Feeding the competition horse

Care of the horse during the competition season

Welfare of the competition horse

31 The leisure horse

The right horse for the job

Keeping the horse in the stable

Keeping the horse at grass

Keeping the leisure horse fit

Feeding the leisure horse

Caring for the leisure horse after exercise

Selecting a system of management

Part 7: Breeding and stud management

32 Reproductive, urinary and mammary systems

Thoroughbred breeding

Inheritance

Female reproductive system

Mammary system

Oestrous cycle

Foaling heat

Behavioural changes

Behavioural signs of oestrus

Artificial control of the oestrous cycle

The male reproductive system

The penis

Sperm

Pregnancy

Lactation

The urinary system

Kidneys

Micturition or urination

Conditions of the urinary system

33 The stallion

Choosing a stallion

Handling of stallions

Presentation of stallions to clients

Teasing

34 The mare

Choosing a mare for breeding

The oestrous cycle

Pregnancy diagnosis

Maintaining the condition of a pregnant mare

Vaccination

Feeding the broodmare

Foaling requirements

Stages of foaling

Colostrum

Signs of health in the new born foal

Management of the mare and the newborn foal

Foaling complications

Weaning

35 Getting the mare in foal

Examination of the mare before covering

Safety equipment in the covering yard

Artificial insemination and embryo transfer

36 The foal and young horse

Handling mares and foals

Routine healthcare of foals

Feeding youngstock

Diseases of foals

37 Preparation of breeding stock for sale

Preparation for sale by public auction

Yearlings and National Hunt Stores

Feeding

Grooming and bathing

Shoeing

National Hunt Stores

Sale day

Appendix

Index

© 2003 Jeremy Houghton Brown; Sarah Pilliner and Zoe Davies

Published by Blackwell Publishing

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Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2DQ, UK

Tel: [phone]

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The right of the Author to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.

First published as Horse and Stable Management by Granada Publishing 1984

Second edition published by Blackwell Science 1994 and Horse Care published by Blackwell Science 1994

Third (Omnibus) edition published 1997

Fourth edition published by Blackwell Publishing 2003

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Brown, Jeremy Houghton.

Horse and stable management / Jeremy Houghton Brown, Sarah Pilliner, and Zoe Davies.-- 4th ed. p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-4051-0007-9 (Paperback : alk. paper)

1. Horses. 2. Horses--Psychology. 3. Horses--Health. 4. Stables--Management. I. Pilliner, Sarah.

II. Davies, Zoe. III. Title.

SF285.3.B76 2003

636.1'089--dc21

2003008648

ISBN 1-4051-0007-9

A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

For further information on Blackwell Publishing, visit our website:

www.blackwellpublishing.com

Preface

Since the first edition was published in 1984, Horse and Stable Management has become the recognised source of reliable information on all aspects of the practical management of horses and ponies. It is now the established textbook for everyone who owns a horse or works with horses.

This fourth edition has been radically revised and re-organised to include the most up-to-date and accurate procedures and advice. With many new photographs, Horse and Stable Management includes chapters covering evolution and behaviour, conformation and action, routine preventive measures, nursing the sick horse, first aid, lameness and the management of breeding stock.

Horse and Stable Management is essential reading for those taking British Horse Society and Association of British Riding Schools examinations, as well as those taking college equine courses or National Vocational Qualifications in horse care and management.

This book was originally written to show sound modern practice and to answer the question ‘Why care for the horse in this way?’. Only by empathy with the horse and appreciating how its systems work can we give appropriate care and management. Other books have since followed this approach, as have examinations and training. As befits the leader, this new edition stays true to this theme as it incorporates the latest research findings and experiences which guide best practice; also, it is more accessible for swift reference and sure guidance.

Good horse management means competently and pleasantly getting the best from a horse in all seasons and on all occasions, thus enhancing the pleasure for both horse and rider. To this end, quality care comes from understanding both the mind and the body of the horse and treating each horse accordingly.

The authors would like to thank Joanna Prestwich for providing the new photographs.

The authors would also like to thank Zoe Davies for all her hard work in updating and expanding this important text.

Part 1

The horse

Chapter 1

Horse care through understanding its origins

Horses and humans

An understanding between humans and the horses in their care is essential in the proper management of horses. An appreciation of the horse’s evolution and natural instincts, structure and their basic requirements will help to ensure a good relationship between horses and their carers.

The most significant attribute arising from the horse’s development is probably the ability to adapt. The horse has adapted first through changes in climate and vegetation and then to living with humans. The modern horse now relies on humans to meet its needs, and a consideration of the horse and its character provides for better understanding and care.

Evolution and domestication of the horse

Horses evolved over approximately 50 million years from fox-like creatures to the animals that we know today. Fossils found in North America and Europe give us a clear picture of the development of the modern-day horse from its prehistoric ancestors.

Ancestors

The horse’s most distant ancestor was Hyracotherium (also known as eohippus or dawn horse), a specialised browsing herbivore, similar in size to a fox.

Hyracotherium had three toes on the hindfeet and four toes on the forefeet. Relatives of Hyracotherium lived from 50 to 38 million years ago and were swamp and forest dwelling. Hyracotherium first emerged in North America; however before the Baring Straits separated the two continents some animals migrated across the land bridges to Europe. Hyracotherium was a potential food source for large carnivores and therefore highly alert, with the ability to scurry away quickly from approaching predators; this is why horses have an inherent nature of caution and alertness. Even the earliest ancestors of the horse had acutely developed senses of sight, sound and smell to help them escape from their predators.

Figure 1.1 outlines the evolutionary path of the modern horse.

Figure 1.1. Summary of the evolutionary pathway of the horse.

Table 1.1. Some milestones in the evolution of horses

Survival of the fittest

Over the following millions of years, climate changes including ice ages with glaciations, led to the migration of huge numbers of animals to more temperate climates. Also, huge movements of landmasses effectively cut off migratory routes, thereby leaving some species stranded. Those unable to adapt to extreme weather conditions became extinct, whereas others slowly adapted to their new and different environments. Adaptation to new environments takes place through changes to the genetic makeup of the animal that are known as mutations. These changes take place over millions of years and result in a process of selection whereby those animals with genetic changes that result in increased ability to survive live on, while others become extinct. Many different types of animal that had mutated in this way succeeded Hyracotherium, some were highly successful whereas others were not and were lost.

The grazers

Climate changes led to changes in vegetation with new surroundings, such as cooler open plains and grasslands. Grasslands are by their nature open areas and the horses’ ancestors no longer had the cover of bush and woodland. Two groups of three-toed horses were around at this time: the browsers and the grazers. The browsers eventually became extinct around 11 million years ago. The grazers adapted to their environment; they developed longer limbs specialised for speed to escape dangerous predators and the number of toes reduced from three to one to further support a speedy get away.

These grazing ancestors not only became taller and one toed, but at the same time further changed to suit their grazing way of life. Changes in the teeth and jaws enabled them to cut and chew large amounts of tough grass. Also, the size of the head changed to accommodate this battery of grinding teeth. The grazer’s neck also became longer so that the taller animal could reach down to the grass to eat.

Grass is not as nutritious as the diet of the forest-browsing Hyracotherium and the horse’s grazing ancestors had to consume much larger quantities of grass to support their increased size so they became trickle-feeding grazers, taking in large quantities of grass over long periods. This meant that changes to the animal’s digestive tract had to take place and the gut adapted by increasing in size to digest large quantities of fibrous grass. This in turn resulted in the animals having longer and stronger backs from which to suspend the gut.

The grazing animals needed well-developed senses so that they could detect predators. They also developed the ability to sleep while standing to enable a quick get away. The horse gets up front feet first, after lying down, for a quick escape; whereas horned animals get up back end first in a defensive head down position.

The herd animal

At some point, the horse’s ancestors developed an important social network for survival, living more safely and in harmony with others within their own herds. These one-toed horses belonged to the group Equus and these were the most recent ancestors of the modern horse, asses, zebras (Figure 1.2) and donkeys. For reasons that remain unclear, Equus became extinct in North America but several types of Equus survived in Europe and Asia. These evolved into different types, some were pony types whereas others were similar to small horses. These types gave rise to the many different breeds of modern horses.

Equus family

Table 1.2 lists some of the different species of Equus which live today.

Figure 1.2. Zebra.

Table 1.2. Some present-day species of Equus

Common name

Scientific name

Domesticated horse

Equus caballus

Przewalski’s horse

Equus ferus przewalskii

Persian wild ass (onager)

Equus heminonus onager

Domestic ass (donkey)

Equus asinus

African wild ass

Equus africanus

Burchell’s zebra (plains or common zebra)

Equus burchelli

Mountain zebra

Equus zebra

Grevy’s zebra

Equus grevyi

The horses and ponies of today have not changed greatly since Equus arrived roughly 5 million years ago. Their behavioural patterns are deeply rooted in their genetic makeup and must be considered and used during the training process.

Domestication

There is no doubt that mankind has contributed significantly to the success of the horse. Without human domestication there is reasonable argument to suggest that horses and ponies would have been greatly reduced in number, perhaps even becoming extinct. Humans would probably have simply hunted them for food, rather than using them in other ways. Before horses were domesticated for work, they were used as a food source. The horse’s speed made it difficult at first for humans to keep up with them to kill them and the hunters had to become very inventive in their techniques. For example, evidence shows that some hunters used the technique of running horses off a cliff to kill them.

The first stage of domestication involved the nomadic tribes of central Asia keeping horses for their meat and mares for their milk production. The second phase of domestication took place with more placid types of horse, probably around 4000 BC. Farmers, when moving from area to area, used horses as pack animals to carry their goods. Sooner or later, a child or infirm person would also have been placed on this load. For bulkier loads the travois was devised with two poles crossed over the horse’s withers and their butts trailing on the ground. Then came sledges and finally, with the advent of wheels, carts.

People began to ride horses, probably due to the need to herd animals. At about 1500 BC, a simple bone bit was devised. The horse became an integral part of human life and history.

Breeds and types

Horses were domesticated at different times and places throughout the world, leading to large varieties in breed and type. For example, in northwest Europe, with its wet climate, the native stock was akin to Exmoor ponies. In north Eurasia, with its colder climate, a heavier pony more akin to a Highland was domesticated. In western Asia, the fine-boned horses were Caspian’s type and on the steppes of central Asia, the native horses were similar to the Akhal-Teke, which are still there today.

Modern horses and ponies can have their origins traced back to these four basic types. By breeding to meet human requirements the following now exist:

hotbloods: Thoroughbreds and Arabs

warmbloods: carriage and sports horses

coldbloods: heavy draught horses

ponies: with deep bodies and shorter legs.

These category names do not relate in any way to body temperature, in fact, they describe temperament and speed. The Thoroughbred tends to be more temperamental, faster, sharper and quick witted than the draught horse.

The larger and heavier horses are a comparatively modern feat of breeding as, in the 1500s, horses rarely exceeded 15 hands. The eighteenth century was the most notable for progress in selective breeding for specific purposes.

The horse in Europe and Asia

The Celts eventually arrived in Britain bringing their horses with them; these were crossed with indigenous types to produce the Celtic pony. The Celtic pony is the ancestor of many of the British native breeds, e.g. the Dales (Figure 1.3). The Romans and other invaders brought many different types with them to Britain.

From 6000 years ago, quieter horses were used to carry burdens and then ridden for herding purposes. The wheel was devised about 3500 BC and used for carts; later the spoked wheel led to chariots, which were pulled by onagers (Persian wild asses), which were larger than the horses of that time. Mounted soldiers were first seen in about 1000 BC and later mounted couriers provided swift communications. Light cavalry horses were critical to the Persian Empire (500–300 BC). Then Alexander the Great, riding his horse, Bucephalus, created the Greek empire. This was eventually over-run by Attila the Hun, who had the advantage of stirrups in 450 AD.

The horse collar provided more efficient pulling and so improved transport from about 500 AD. Heavier horses, still no more than 15 hands, allowed soldiers to wear more armour and the crusades between 1100 and 1200 provided a contrast between armoured knights and Arabs on faster more nimble horses.

In 1200 Genghis Khan from Mongolia used his soldiers on their small ponies, to capture much of Asia. They played polo for recreation.

The ‘high school’ style of riding began with the Renaissance in about 1500. Hunting on horseback started in the eleventh century and by the eighteenth century jumping was necessary due to the Enclosures Act. Racing was formalised in 1750, but the three great Arab sires, namely the Darley Arabian, Byerley Turk and the Godolphin Arabian, the foundation of all Thoroughbreds had already arrived. The Byerley Turk was put to stud in England in 1690. The Darley Arabian arrived in 1704 and was the great grand sire of Eclipse. The Godolphin Arabian arrived in 1728.

Figure 1.3. Dales pony.

Cavalry were used in war until 1941 and the British army’s pack mules were last used in 1975.

Horses were important in agriculture from the eighteenth century to the 1950s.

The horse in America

During the sixteenth century the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in North America by boat, bringing their horses with them. Thus horses were re-introduced to their native land where they had become extinct many years previously. These domesticated horses brought in by the Spanish became a major factor in the settlement of the continent; many escaped and became wild leading to the establishment of herds of wild horses in America. Many years later, the native North Americans and the gauchos of South America then tamed these wild horses.

The settlers in America used horses for exploration of the west. Horses were used to pull the famous wagon trains and to haul building materials as people moved in numbers across America. An important use of the horse was the Pony Express; riders carried mail in saddlebags on horseback, from Missouri to California, a distance of some 2000 miles covered by relays of horses and riders in about 8 days.

In America’s Midwest, horses were used to work in the large fields being established by farmers. This involved the use of much bigger farm equipment and so larger and stronger horses were needed and farmers began to use larger draught horses brought in from Canada.

Natural behaviour of horses

The horse’s main instincts are to survive and reproduce to ensure continuation of the species. The way in which horses evolved resulted in grazing animals that are regularly on the move and have great speed to escape predators (Figure 1.4). Horses are creatures of flight rather than fight and when threatened their natural reaction is to run away. However, if cornered a horse will kick or bite to defend itself. This means that horses are most relaxed in wide-open spaces within a herd environment as this provides safety and allows them to indulge in social behaviour such as grooming.

Modern management techniques have in many ways removed horses from this natural environment, often making them feel isolated. Horses are adaptable within reason, and with some forethought good stable management can fulfil many of the horse’s natural behavioural patterns and requirements. This type of management will result in more contented, less stressed horses that are more able to cope with the demands of pleasure, performance and competition.

Figure 1.4. Horses evolved as free-ranging herbivores.

Natural management methods

Several aspects of stable management may be used to help fulfil the natural needs of the horse, including:

water

food

shelter

companionship

space

exercise

understanding

clean air.

Water

Clean fresh water should always be available. Dehydration and indigestion may lead to colic and can sometimes be the result of lack of water.

Food

As in nature, nutritious forage that provides a source of digestible fibre should be the basis of the feeding programme, keeping starch levels to a minimum. This allows horses to spend more time eating, keeping them occupied and less likely to develop stable vices or become bored. The proportion of concentrates must not exceed the forage part of the diet even in the peak fitness horse. Energy and protein sources should be matched to meet the horse’s needs.

Shelter

In adverse conditions, horses need to have access to shelter. For horses at grass this may be a hedge, bank or built shelter, which allows horses to come and go at will. On the other hand, horses like to roam and play and should not be confined (unless due to injury or illness) for days at a time in a stable.

Companionship

Horses are naturally herd animals with a need for a social interaction (Figure 1.5). They like to be turned out with horses that they are known to get along with for several hours daily. Place grills in adjoining stables to allow horses to see, touch and smell each other. However, do make sure horses in neighbouring boxes are good companions.

Space

Horses generally prefer open aspects to their stables where they are free to observe their companions; however, as in nature, they may like some privacy when feeding.

Figure 1.5. Horses enjoying a companionable scratch.

Exercise

Horses need exercise, after all they will move around a field grazing for as much as 16 hours a day if allowed. To confine horses to the unnatural environment of a stable for 22 hours per day (or even 24 hours per day on their rest day) is not recommended. Even some racehorse trainers with access to land now try and turn out fit racehorses daily to given them time to revert to their natural grazing and playful behaviour in open space.

Yards, horse walkers, play paddocks and other techniques can all help horses balance their performance lives with their natural needs.

Understanding

Over the past 5000 years a unique relationship has been established between humans and horses. It is the responsibility of the horse owner to provide the horse with the best possible environment and to ensure that stable management practices promote the mental and physical health and well-being of their horses.

Clean air

Horses need clean air. In the wild, horses rarely experience dust, but in a man-made environment, it is a major distraction to good health and performance. When any dusty operation is to be carried out, horses should be out of their stables. In stables the air should be gently moving through the stable and never stagnant.

Chapter 2

Describing the horse

The horse industry relies, to some extent, on a certain amount of specific, detailed terms relating to horses. The description of horses and ponies depends on identifying many features such as a sex, height, colour, markings, age and descriptions of type.

Sex

The following terms accurately describe the sex of a horse:

a filly is a female less than 4 years old

a mare is a female of 4 years old or more

a colt is an uncastrated male of 3 years old or less

a stallion is an uncastrated male of 4 years old or more

a gelding is a castrated male

a foal is a colt or filly less than 1 year old

a rig is a male horse that has retained one testicle within the abdominal cavity.

Height

Horses are traditionally measured in hands, with a hand being equivalent to 4 inches (10.16 cm). All height measurements for competition horses and ponies are now given in centimetres (see Table 2.1). The measurement is taken with the horse standing squarely on a smooth level surface. The measurement is taken from the highest point of the withers using a measuring stick with a spirit level on the cross bar. For the purposes of the Joint Measurement Scheme the horse should be measured without shoes. For general purposes, 1 cm or 0.5 inch should be deducted for horses and ponies that are shod.