Care for wild horses differs from the ordinary equine

By Marty Metzger
Correspondent

People interested in adopting a wild horse should be aware of the veterinary care the horse receives once captured, along with what it will need in its new home.

The Bureau of Land Management employs preventive measures as well as veterinary remedies in the care of newly captured mustangs. Length of pre-adoption confinement, range conditions and the needs of individual animals dictate the extent of treatments.

Albert Kane, DVM, is veterinary epidemiologist, program manager and senior staff veterinarian for the APHIS/BLM Wild Horse and Burro Partnership. He said that a few horses are adopted right at trap site, directly off the range. These receive only one round of vaccines.

Most feral equines, however, are initially dewormed and vaccinated against Eastern and Western encephalitis, tetanus, influenza, rhino, rabies, strangles and West Nile virus. Boosters are administered 30 days later.

Some animals are held in short-term adoption and preparation facilities. The Canon City location is also a training facility, with an average stay of six months to one year.

Captured horses deemed too old, unsound or untrainable for placement might live out their entire lives in large holding facilities. These equines receive ongoing veterinary and farrier services on a regular or as-needed basis.

Kane said some animals come in shiny, fat and with tails dragging the ground. Adverse range conditions, however, can result in thin to very thin individuals.

"For the most part, wild horses and burros are very hardy and healthy animals," Kane said. "The health problems we see after they first come off the range are usually related to range conditions, like drought."

Wild horse habitat varies from high mountains to Wyoming red desert. Bands that inhabit arid areas might carry smaller parasite loads than those from other regions.

Constant travel also takes its toll on roving horses, causing diverse injuries. Tendon damage is not uncommon. Kane has also seen animals with clubfeet and a variety of scars.

Regardless their original conditions, all captured horses are soon exposed to contagious diseases. Most BLM facilities run between 150 to 1,400 equines. Respiratory ailments ranging from mild (like the human common cold) to strangles can rapidly spread.

Mustangs' hooves, which usually wear evenly while freely roaming over natural terrain, grow incredibly quickly once off the range. Frequent trimming, based on individual need, prevents trouble.

"In some environments, hoof trimming might be needed every six weeks, in others it may only be necessary three or four times a year," Kane said. "Adopters should work with their local veterinarians and farriers to put together a plan that will work best for their animals in their environment."

The BLM's adoption criteria stresses safety. The standard for enclosures is facility and performance based, said Kane. Pens or paddocks must be constructed of solid materials- - not wire, including barbed or electric - to provide a visual barrier and be sized a minimum of 400 square feet and 6 feet high. The height requirement is lowered from 6 to 5 feet for burros or gentled horses. There must be access to shelter, such as a run-in shed. Once an animal is fence-broke, it can be put on pasture.

Each adopter receives a health card listing dewormers, vaccines and dates given, as well as a negative Coggins test certificate. A packet of informative brochures is included.

Adopters are encouraged to call the BLM as questions arise or for help from volunteer mentors should novices get into a jam. The BLM wants to ensure that every adoption is successful.

Mustangs become hardy by surviving climate and diet extremes. Feed requirements are minimal compared to those of equines born and raised in captivity.

"Following adoption, the few problems we see are usually related to improper care," said Kane. "They tend to be easy keeps so overfeeding can be an issue. That leads to obesity, which can increase the risk of founder.

"It's not very common, but sometimes after adoption we also see problems with underfeeding. Most wild horses and burros can do very well on a diet of just hay. Feeding grain is only necessary when their body condition can't be maintained on hay alone. This usually just applies to growing colts and lactating mares. The bottom line is you should feed as much as you need to feed to keep the animal in good condition without it becoming too fat."

More information about BLM mustangs, including adoption schedules and how to become a mentor, can be found at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov.