W. Va. Code R. § 61-31-15
Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Section 61-31-15 - Standards of care for equine15.1. Additional standards of care may be referenced by consulting American Association of Equine Practitioners Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities.15.2. Drink. Water containers shall be cleaned regularly and free of any hazard.15.3. Feed. 15.3.a. Horses shall be provided a diet sufficient to maintain a healthy weight and body condition. In evaluating herd health, any individual Henneke body score of less than "three" (3) is unacceptable; unless that animal is under the supervision of a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Geriatric or ill horses may have less than an ideal weight and body condition.15.3.b. In the event of a communicable disease being identified, the state veterinarian shall place an equine quarantine, which shall require the infected equine to be held a minimum of 200 yards from any other animal.15.4. Concerning weight and body condition of equine the following scoring method shall be used: 15.4.a. Poor. Body score is "one" (1). Animal is extremely emaciated, Spinous rocesses (portion of the vertebra of the backbone which project upward), ribs, tailhead, and bony protrusions of the pelvic girdle (hooks and pins) are prominent. Bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can be felt.15.4.b. Very Thin. Body score is "two" (2). Animal is emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of the spinous processes. Transverse processes (portion of vertebrae which project outward) of lumbar (loan area) vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes ribs, shoulders and neck structures are faintly discernible.15.4.c. Thin. Body score is "three" (3). Fat is built up about halfway on spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs are easily discernible. Tailhead is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones (protrusion of pelvic girdle appearing in upper, forward part of the hip) appear rounded, but are easily discernible. Pin bones (bony projections of pelvic girdle located toward rear, mid-section of the hip) are not distinguishable. Withers, shoulder and neck are accentuated.15.4.d. Moderately Thin. Body score is "four" (4). Negative crease along back (spinous processes of vertebrae protrude slightly above surrounding tissue). Faint outline of ribs is discernible. Fat can be felt around tailhead (prominence depends on confirmation). Hook bones are not discernable. Withers, shoulders, and neck are not obviously thin.15.4.e. Moderate. Body score is "five" (5). Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders, and along sides of neck.15.4.f. Moderate to Fleshy. Body score is "six" (6). May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders, and along sides of neck.15.4.g. Fleshy. Body score is "seven" (7). May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling of fat between ribs. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat is deposited along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck.15.4.h. Fat. Body score is "eight" (8). Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead is very soft. Area along withers is filled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled in flush with the rest of the body. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks.15.4.i. Extremely fat. Body score is "nine" (9). Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank is filled in flush with the rest of the body.15.5. Space. 15.5.a. Stalls in which horses are housed untethered for more than four (4) hours shall be large enough to allow horses to turn around completely, lie down comfortably and stand completely erect. Stalls shall have adequate ventilation and drainage and be kept free of excessive waste.15.5.b. If a horse is tethered, it shall be done in a way and under supervision sufficient to minimize the risk of injury.15.5.c. Pastures shall be routinely monitored for the presence of hazards.15.5.d. Space shall be provided for exercise that is sufficient to maintain a horse's health.15.6. Authorized practices. The following are authorized practices;15.6.e. Artificial insemination;15.6.h. Breeding soundness evaluations;15.6.k. Restraint by use of a twitch; or15.6.l. Any other widely accepted practices.15.7. The following are unauthorized practices: 15.7.a. Soring, as that term is defined in subdivision 2.3o of this rule.W. Va. Code R. § 61-31-15