1. A. Housing

   1. 1. All facilities in which horses are maintained shall be kept free of excessive feces, urine, mud, or other waste products.
   2. 2. All facilities in which horses are maintained shall be constructed and maintained to minimize hazards that may cause injury to the horses confined within.
   3. 3. For horses housed in an indoor facility with concrete floor, dry bedding shall be provided for the comfort and warmth of the horses.
   4. 4. Horses confined to minimal enclosed areas shall receive sufficient turnout time or controlled exercise (e.g., hand-walking, lunging, riding, driving, hot walker, treadmill) unless directed otherwise by a veterinarian.
   5. 5. When housed in groups, horses shall be segregated so as to minimize conspecific aggression.

2. B. Nutrition

   1. 1. Concentrates, trace minerals, and salt may be used to balance the diet.
   2. 2. Horses confined without available pasture to graze may need daily supplemental feed; horses on pasture may need supplemental feed if the pasture is insufficient to maintain body weight and health.

3. C. Water

   1. 1. Water troughs, water containers, and any automatic watering devices shall be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

   2. 2. Transportation of Equine

      1. a. The following horses shall not be transported:

         1. i. those that are non-ambulatory (cannot walk unassisted), weak and/or debilitated, cannot bear weight on one or more legs, blind in both eyes, or, unless being transported for veterinary care;
         2. ii. foals shall not be transported until their navels are closed unless being transported for veterinary care.

   3. 3. Transportation by land shall:

      1. a. load horses at a density that minimizes injury and falling, but that allows them to rise unassisted if fallen;
      2. b. horses destined for slaughter shall be transported pursuant to USDA’s Slaughter Horse Transport Program in addition to the regulations above.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2095.1.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety, Board of Animal Health, LR 39:3242 (December 2013), repromulgated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Animal Health and Food Safety and the Board of Animal Health, LR 40:988 (May 2014).