Boarding a Horse: Pasture vs. Stable Essay -- Comparison Compare Contr

Boarding a Horse Pasture vs. StableFor centuries knight and domain have existed in a partnership which has provided mutual benefits. The horse has aided mans advancement toward civilization as a diligent worker, reliable transportation method, brave soldier, and trusted friend. In return, man has protected the horse from predators and disease, and provided food and shelter to ensure the continued health and well being of his equine companion. As well meaning as mans intentions may be, not all of the trappings of modern equine husbandry are beneficial to this proud animal. Originally a wild and free denizen of the plains, the horse can suffer psychological and medical disorders if its life is spent locked away in the confinement of a typical 12 x 12 barn stall.One of the or so important medical conditions that can afflict a stabled horse is laminitis. Also known as founder, laminitis is the inflammation of a lamina, especially in the foot of a horse (Websters 671). The laminae ar e finger-like grooves where sensitive living tissue connects the dead hoof in a horses foot (Encyclopedia 171) to the set bone (Rooney 114). An enzyme normally produced by the body in small amounts allows slow and even movement of the laminae to allow for growth. With laminitis, however, the enzyme is over-produced and causes large sections of the laminae to weaken and separate. Pressures from body weight and tendon strength allow the jewel casket bone, the single terminating digit (Encyclopedia 170), to rotate within the hoof pocket (Rooney 131). This rotation causes severe tissue trauma which results in painful lameness. In extreme cases the coffin bone protrudes through the sole of the hoof. It is understandable that the best treatment in the ... ...ves than those of their counterparts in the stable.Works CitedDenning, Dr. Charles H., Jr. First Aid for Horses What to do until the veterinarian arrives. none Hollywood, CA Wilshire Book Company, 1969.Encyclopedia of The Horse. N ew York Crescent Books, 1989.Hayes, Capt. M. Horace. Veterinary Notes For Horse Owners. New York Simon & Schuster, 1987.The International Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies. New York Howell Book House, MacMillan Publishing, USA, 1995.Oglesby, Robert N., DVM. Founder & laminitis. Founder and Laminitis in Horses. April 1999. The Horsemans Advisor. 28 Jan. 2002 Rooney, James A. The Lame Horse Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. South Brunswick and New York A. S. Barnes and Company, 1974.Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA Merriam-Webster Inc., 1987.