Other than hamsters, all small mammals live in groups.  Bein…

Other than hamsters, all small mammals live in groups.  Being removed from a group is stressful.  Therefore, a small mammal that has been isolated for several days to monitor for infectious disease should immediately be introduced to a group of the same species after the isolation period ends.

A handler should always check if a horse knows it he/she is…

A handler should always check if a horse knows it he/she is near and if the horse can see the handler before he/she touches it.  Horses get most of their sleep in 15 minute periods while standing.  Even gentle horses can kick, rear, or jump into the handler if the horse is startled from sleep or by an unseen handler. 

The safest method of picking up the right hind foot of a hor…

The safest method of picking up the right hind foot of a horse is to stand alongside the horse facing its rear, bend over and slide your right hand down the back of the leg to the pastern.  You then pick up the leg and grasp the hoof with your left hand. Hold the hoof with your left hand and examine or clean the bottom of the hoof with your right hand while holding the hoof cupped in your left hand.