Equine Farm Manager · Quick Reference Card
Barn Wall Quick Reference
The numbers you reach for most, on one sheet to post in the barn or tack room.
Body condition targets (Henneke 1–9)
| Sport / performance | 4.5–5.5 |
| General maintenance | 4.5–6 |
| Broodmare | 5.5–6.5 |
| Breeding stallion | 5–6 |
| Senior | 5–6.5 |
Call the vet at ≤3 or ≥8. Re-score monthly.
Weight without a scale
girth² × length ÷ 330 = lb
Feeding waste
| Slow-feed net | ~6% |
| Manger / rack | ~12% |
| Round bale + feeder | ~15% |
| On the ground | ~20% |
| Round bale, no feeder | ~30% |
Hay test checks
- ESC + starch under ~10% for IR horses
- DE ~0.40–1.10 Mcal/lb is plausible
- Calcium ≥ phosphorus
Pasture sugar
Highest in spring flush, fall after cold nights, and late afternoon. Graze sensitive horses overnight into early morning.
Rest and recovery
| Resting heart rate | 28–44 bpm |
| Resting respiration | 8–16 /min |
| Recovery target | ≤64 bpm by 10 min |
| Lactate | <2 aerobic · 2–4 threshold · >4 anaerobic |
Heat index = °F + % humidity
| Under 130 | Safe |
| 130–150 | Caution |
| 150–180 | High: shorten work |
| Over 180 | Dangerous: no hard work |
Fecal egg counts (strongyle EPG)
| Low shedder | <200 |
| Moderate | 200–500 |
| High | >500 |
Foaling
Due ≈ bred date + 340 days (range ~320–362). Foal stands in 1 hr, nurses in 2, placenta out in 3.
Stop and call the vet
- Blood at the nostrils
- Breathing faster than heart rate that won't settle
- Cramping or a stiff, short gait
- A dull horse not recovering
- Fever, colic, or neurologic signs