I am happy the welfare of the Iowa State horses is a concern to students such as Zach Knutson. I am a student employee at the ISU Horse Barns, and I would like to confirm what Josh Lizer expressed in his Dec. 10 letter, “Barn staff give horses excellent care.”

Although horses might seem to be somewhat fragile creatures, as far as livestock is concerned, their true needs differ from our own. A healthy mature horse thrives outdoors when provided with good hay, clean water, and supplemental concentrates during the coldest months (as the Iowa State horses are).

Although a warm stall might seem appealing to us, horses need constant fresh air to remain healthy, as well as the freedom of steady, low-grade exercise. Horses that are deprived of this often battle respiratory illness, chronic lameness, swelling of the lower legs and tend to not grow a thick and healthy winter coat.

Horses might be kept inside for a variety of reasons, such as horses used heavily for riding and showing, but since our horses do not experience those demands they are allowed to live in their most natural and healthy state.

I agree optional shelter should be provided such as the grove of trees in the pasture south of 13th St. Horses near the barns that do not have shelter, however, are provided with extra hay to keep them busy and warm on cold nights.

Aside from this, the cost of the labor and bedding Knutson suggested would be astronomical. The horse barn budget would not allow for such an unnecessary and potentially detrimental change that would put appearances before the health of the horses.

Adrienne Brant

Junior

Animal Science