Action Point: Compile a list with relevant descriptive & contact information for each horse on the premises.
Rationale: To facilitate communication and proper care of each horse, a brief description of the horse and relevant contact information should be posted on each stall, or, in the case of group-housed horses, in a central common area.
Descriptive information could include a photo of the horse, name, breed, colour, a distinguishing feature (chestnut with 1/2 pastern on left hind /bay with coronet band on right fore).
List the phone numbers of the owner, veterinarian, farrier, and perhaps a lessee or other person in case the owner is unavailable. Indicate whether the stable manager is authorized to make decisions regarding medical interventions on behalf of the owner, and include any medical history or extra care/caution that should be exercised when handling the horse.
If the horse has a stall, attach the info sheet to the stall door. The sheets for group-housed horses could be displayed in a prominent common area. Place copies of each horse’s Contact Sheet in a binder in the tack or feed room and in the office. Keep backup files on a hard drive and update as needed.
Sample:
HORSE Henry Birthdate: June 21, 2007 Age: 10 Colour: black & white Breed: Shire/Paint/Warmblood Sex: M Distinguishing Markings: 17h black & white paint. He's hard to miss! Comments: diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis (roaring) in May 2015 Normal Vital Signs: Temperature: Pulse: Respiration: OWNER Natalie Ethier Work #: Cell #: Alternate Contact Person: Marsha Farmer, phone # VETERINARIAN Albert Horseford Office Phone #: Emergency/ After Hours #: FARRIER Jane Barn, phone # EMERGENCY TRANSPORT COMPANY AND NUMBER: U-Haul Horse, phone # INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMATION Equestrian Insurance Brokers, phone # Horse Policy, policy #