EQUINE WELFARE BULLETIN
2pm Staff arrive at the stable to begin the afternoon routine. Breakfast feed is checked and reported to the trainer, then dinner is prepared. Lass leaves the stable for an afternoon swim in the equine swimming pool. It’s sunny and 28 degrees, so she enjoys her two laps of the pool. 3pm Boots and bandages are applied to Lass’ legs prior to having a 30-minute afternoon walk. This ensures that if she is feeling playful and tries to jump and play, she doesn’t accidently knock herself and cause accidental injury or pull a shoe off. Whilst she is walking, staff clean her box and put down fresh bedding for her to sleep on that evening. After her walk, she then has another roll and play in the sand roll before being cleaned, brushed and returned to her box.
4pm There are four different types of rugs that are put on a horse before an evening’s rest. Given today is a warm day, a rug will not be put on her until tonight. One of the dedicated stable hands will come back at 9pm to put an evening rug on all the horses to ensure they are comfortable. 5pm Stable staff head home to relax and sleep until they do it all again tomorrow!
This story featured in the recent edition of the VRC’s Equine Welfare Bulletin. Enjoy more stories covering topics related to veterinary and research, post-racing careers, VRC & the industry, facilities and practices, and #LovetheHorse on the Equine Welfare Bulletin site here: https://www.flemington.com.au/equine-welfare-bulletin
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