Standard Operating Procedure Equine Center Clemson University. Approval Signatures: Julia Tagher, CU Equine Center Manager / Date

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1 Standard Operating Procedure Equine Center Clemson University SOP ID: EC-GEN-002v1 January 2018 Title: Daily Care and Feeding Author(s): Julia Tagher, CU Equine Center Manager Approval Signatures: Julia Tagher, CU Equine Center Manager / Date John Parrish, DVM, University Veterinarian / Date Disclaimer: This SOP has been prepared and approved for sole use by the Clemson University Equine Center and may not be applicable to other facilities. Changes to this SOP require approval by the University Veterinarian. Reviewer Signature Date

2 Daily Care and Feeding Daily care consists of feeding grain and hay, checking water, checking salt/minerals, cleaning stalls, changing blankets if needed, and examining each horse for any abnormalities, injuries, or illness. Groups of horses are listed on the grain chart in the feed room with the individual grain rations listed with each group. The pasture number and number of horses in each pasture are also listed on the grain chart. Horses housed in the barn or barn area: The barn group is the first group fed in the morning and the last group fed in the afternoon. Each horse currently housed in the barns is listed on the feed chart in the barn horses section. All horses in the barn are given hay and water at least 3 times a day if they are kept in the stall 24/7 (AM, Noon, PM). Barn horses that are turned out for part of the day will be given hay at least 2 times a day. Each horse is given 1-3 flakes of hay in accordance with the individual horse s needs and the time of day. If a horse is not eating all the hay that is being fed then the amount of hay will be decreased. All water buckets will be dumped and refilled at the morning feeding, refilled at the other feedings, and replaced during the day if the water becomes dirty. All stalls with horses will be mucked out at morning and afternoon feedings if horses remain in stalls 24/7. If horses are turned out, stalls should be cleaned and prepped at that time before horses return. All areas around the stalls will be raked or swept to be kept clean and neat in appearance. Stallions and Stallion Pens: The stallions are also fed at the beginning of the morning feeding and the end of the afternoon feeding. Each stallion will be fed hay and grain according to the individual horse s needs. Their water trough will be checked at each feeding and cleaned once a week at a minimum. The water will be checked for cleanliness at each feeding and filled if needed. The stallion stalls and pens are cleaned once a week when weather permits. The stallion barn is raked after each feeding and all hay strings are thrown away. Left and Right Alleyways: Horses in the pastures along the alleyways will be fed at each feeding in accordance with the feed chart. Horses are counted in each pasture prior to feeding grain. Any pasture group in need of an additional round bale will be noted on the daily sheet. Water tubs will be checked for cleanliness and filled if needed, all tubs will be cleaned at minimum once a week. Salt/minerals will be checked in all fields at each feeding. Pregnant Mares: Any mares in their last 45 days of pregnancy will be monitored closely at each feeding for udder development, relaxation of the pelvic area, and relaxation of the vulva. Any mares showing enlarged udders or excessive relaxation will be reported to the management immediately. Milk testing will be done at the PM feeding (unless already tested that day) on any mares showing signs of impending parturition. All results of milk tests will be recorded on the chalkboard and on the mare s foaling record. Any mares testing 3 or above on the milk test will be brought into the barn for overnight observation. No mares will be left alone in a pasture or in the barn, due to stress

3 caused by separation, which can affect foaling. At the morning feeding, any mares appearing close to foaling will be monitored periodically throughout the day. New Born Foals: At each feeding, all new born foals will be checked for swelling in the joints (a sign of toxemia), dampness of the umbilical cord, hydration, and general attitude. The mare s udders will be checked to make sure the foal is nursing (both sides of the udder should be soft to the touch and normal body temperature or slightly cooler). Newborn foals and their dam will be turned out in an individual paddock area for the first day. On the second day of turn out, the mare and foal will be moved into an appropriate mare/foal pasture. The first day of pasture turnout will be a half day. Turn out time will gradually be increased to a full day over a several days. Foals can be handled with a figure 8 foal rope for moving from stalls to pasture, leading the mare and allowing the foal to follow unrestrained, or the foal may be led by a leather foal halter once halter trained. Mares after Weaning: After weaning, mares will be monitored for mastitis or any abnormal behavior. During the first three days of weaning, the mares will receive hay only and no grain to help decrease milk production. After the three days of weaning, mares in good weight will be moved to a remote pasture to complete the weaning process. Any mare showing low body condition will begin to receive grain after her milk has dried off. These mares will be monitored until the desired body condition is attained. Veterinary Care Schedule: The veterinary care schedule is completed after all the feeding of the main farm has been completed unless an emergency has occurred. In the case of an emergency, the Farm Manager will be contacted immediately and will coordinate care. All veterinary care will be recorded on the daily sheet and then transferred to the individual horse s IIT records. Employees in Training: Workers in training will always be paired with an experienced worker to explain the proper daily care and safety procedures to be followed. Summary of Daily Feeding Schedule: Morning: Feed barn horses (water, hay, grain, salt, check for injury/abnormal behavior, check newborn foals, check pregnant mares) Feed stallions (water, hay, grain, salt, check for injury/abnormal behavior) Feed alleyways (water, grain, salt, count & check horses for injury/abnormal behavior, check pasture and hay supply, check pregnant mares) Complete veterinary care schedule Complete stall and barn cleaning (main barn, old barn, stallion barn) Prepare grain per the feed chart posted in the feed room (weigh all rations) for evening feeding Sweep feed room Check all gates to ensure they are closed

4 Lunch: Feed grain to any horses listed in the lunch area of feed chart Give hay and water to any horses in pens and/or stalls Evening: Feed alleyways (water, grain, salt, count & check horses, check pasture and hay supply, check pregnant mares) Feed stallions (water, hay, grain, salt, check, rake barn) Feed barn horses (water, hay, grain, salt, clean stalls, check for injury/abnormal behavior, check newborn foals, check pregnant mares) During foaling season run any required milk strip tests, bring in pregnant mares that are close to foaling Complete veterinary care schedule Complete stall cleaning, barn raking, and sweeping Prepare grain per the feed chart posted in the feed room (weigh all rations) for morning feeding Sweep feed room Make sure all gates are closed Horses Housed off farm for competition or events: Horses housed in stalls at offsite farms will be monitored at least 3 times per day. Horses feed will be pre-rationed by farm management and labeled for ease during travel. Morning feeding will begin at 7:00am unless otherwise approved by farm management. Mid-day checks should be at 12:00pm. Afternoon feeding will begin no earlier than 5:00pm and no later than 6:00pm except in the case of conflicting riding lesson or other extenuating circumstance. Any horse requiring extended medical care will return to the main farm. If minor care is completed at the location, it is to be described and noted on each horses personal clipboard on their stall. Order of feeding chores to be completed at offsite location: Morning 1. Give each horse at least one flake of hay. 2. Check the dry erase board for notes or updates from the previous feeding. 3. Give each horse their weighed ration of grain. 4. Stalls should be cleaned. During stall cleaning, hay bags should be emptied and hung outside stall along with water buckets being emptied. Feed pans should also be removed from stalls during stall cleaning. 5. Water buckets should be refilled with fresh water. Each horse has two water buckets at all times. 6. Hay bags should be refilled and hung for the day. 7. The barn aisle should be swept or blown. 8. Horses should be blanketed/un-blanketed or fans turned on/off for temperature control. Mid-day 1. The feed board should be checked and any horses listed to receive a grain or hay ration for lunch should be fed. 2. All hay and water levels should be checked and refreshed if needed.

5 3. If horses are not being ridden or exercised during the day, they should be hand-walked for at least minutes in order to allow ample time for them to stretch their legs. Evening 1. Horses should be fed grain at the beginning of evening feeding (if a horse has a decreased appetite or has signs of colic after feeding, ample time is available for on-farm treatment or veterinary visit). 2. Stalls should be picked clean. During stall cleaning, hay bags should be emptied and hung outside stall. Feed pans should also be removed from stalls during stall cleaning. 3. Water buckets should be filled. If the bucket is soiled, it should be emptied outside and refilled. 4. Hay bags should be refilled and hung for the night. 5. The barn aisle should be swept or blown. 6. Horses should be blanketed/un-blanketed or fans turned on/off for temperature control. 7. Before the farm staff leaves the location for the evening, all stall doors should be checked to ensure they are fully closed. Equipment stalls should be locked. Lights should be turned off and gate closed unless otherwise specified.