Horse Welfare Standards
Welfare Regulations
These requirements are enacted to help players adapt to standards that will be mandatory on SWE'sSWE release.servers. These standards are not only representative of good welfare for horses, but could potentially be integrated as systems impacting horse health and happiness in the mod for future releases.
Note: SWE/M Horses will be mentioned as "horses", while vanilla horses are mentioned as "ponies". This page does not cover pony care.
Building / Barn Principles
Official SWE servers do not permit the use of barrier blocks in building to secure clear structural escape points.
The following should always be considered for SWEM horses:
Doorways - 2B+ Wide and 4B+ tall (minimum)
Walkways - 5B+ Wide and 5B+ tall (4.5 optional on edges for detailing if using stairs or slabs) (minimum)
Secure - It is recommended:
- All barn areas or property access routes have a secure gate to prevent escape.
- Make walls or barriers tall enough to avoid escape, check perimeter for blocks they can use to jump over!
- Avoid using scalable blocks that horses can hop over (unless 2B+): single blocks, glass pane, bars.
- Non-scalable blocks are 1.5B and include walls and fences.
Official SWEM servers do not recommend (SWE will not allow) the use of barrier blocks in building to secure escape points.
Food & Water
Horses should always have reasonable access to:
Water - As either a replenishing (infinite) water source or adequately filled water container (trough, half barrel).
Food - As either forage (grazing on grass) or feed (quality bale, timothy, alfalfa or sweet feed)
Stalls
Stall requirements are implemented for welfare and safety of both horse and rider. A good sized stall allows a horse space to turn around in, lay down (future feature) and decreases the chances of them getting stuck in walls (small stalls). It allows space for a rider to provide unobstructed feed items, bedding, and to safely interact with and maneuver a horse into and out of the stall.
Fundamentals (Information)
| Fundamentals - Stalls | |
| Location | Horses must always be housed above ground - completely underground stalls are never permitted as they prohibit fresh air, natural light, and are threat to flood. Minimum 50% above ground. |
| Purpose |
|
Stalls must be 5B+ in both width and
Stalls should be well lit with
Recommended sizings are SWEM defaults and the size(s) that have been used regularly by beta testers and staff builders. It offers a functional space for the horse, neither too large or too small for the average barn, that looks good and works well with most styles and shapes of barns.
Note: Too large stalls are discouraged for realism as they have poor thermal efficiency (retaining heat or cool) as well as being an inefficient use of space.
Note: Foaling stalls are generally bigger, but can be achieved within regulation sizing.
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | INDEX |
||||||
| 4 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 44 | 48 | Not permitted (too small/large) | |||||
| 5 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 60 | Not permitted (poor use of space) | |||||
| 6 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 | 48 | 54 | 60 | 66 | 72 | Permitted with a paddock (5x5+) | |||||
| 7 | 28 | 35 | 42 | 49 | 56 | 63 | 70 | 77 | 84 | Permitted | |||||
| 8 | 32 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 | Recommended sizing | |||||
| 9 | 36 | 45 | 54 | 63 | 72 | 81 | 90 | 99 | 108 | Foaling stall (Minimum recommended sizes) | |||||
| 10 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 110 | 120 | Foaling stalls are for pregnant mares (V2) and mares with nursing foals. These stalls are expected to be larger than standard regulations for comfort and safety. | |||||
| 11 | 44 | 55 | 66 | 77 | 88 | 99 | 110 | 121 | 132 | ||||||
| 12 | 48 | 60 | 72 | 84 | 96 | 108 | 120 | 132 | 144 | ||||||
Paddocks
Paddocks are smallfenced enclosedin 'runs' attachedattachments to a stall, itwhich can offer limited grazing space or just outdoor access with soft footing.footing for horses with restricted (small) stall areas. They might also be referred to as a 'run' or a 'walkout'.
Fundamentals (Information)
If
a
stall does not require a paddock, these rules do not apply providing the space is safe and secure. Requirements
Paddocks are
then
its
optional.
Paddocks
extend
the
floorspace
area of smaller stalls, or provide a walkout into fresh air and sunlight. Paddocks
others.
sizing. Paddock
Paddocks must be 5B+ in both width and length to allow turning, lying down, movement and handling. Floorspace
Paddock area (blocks) only counts usable space including feeders etc but excluding walls/fences etc. Footing
Paddock footing must be clean, soft and natural - grass or dirt is recommended. Terrain
Paddocks
should
not have extreme terrain - instead level or gently sloping (1:3 grade) for 75%+ area. Sunlight Paddock
etc.
points
(breaks
in
fences,
step
ups to get over the fence).
All paddocks must be at least 1.5b5X5, (1but fence/wall/block)it andis ideally 2b+ (Double fence, single with a half fence on top, double block).
All paddocks should be at least 5 wide x 5 long, but depending on the size of your stall it may be thatuse the width of the externalstall, wallsuch varies. Exampleas a 7 x 86X6 stall couldhaving havea an6X5 7 x 5 or an 8 x 5 paddock depending on which way the stallpaddock.
It is rotated.
As a general rule, we do not recommendrecommended to make paddocks be any larger than 3x the sizecapacity of the stall,stall andas somethis largerwill maximumcreate paddocksvery dolong, notthin resultruns. in an ideal shape.
Paddock Size Chart (Min/Max)
|
Minimum Stall Size | Paddock Size |
Maximum Stall Size | Paddock Size |
||
| 5 x 5 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 15 | |
| 5 x 6 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 18 | 6 x 15 |
| 5 x 7 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 21 | 7 x 15 |
| 5 x 8 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 24 | 8 x 15 |
|
5 x 9 |
5 x 5 | 5 x 27 | 9 x 15 |
| 5 x 10 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 30 | 10 x 15 |
| 5 x 11 | 5 x 5 | 5 x 33 | 11 x 15 |
| 6 x 6 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 18 | |
| 6 x 7 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 21 | 7 x 18 |
| 6 x 8 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 24 | 8 x 18 |
| 6 x 9 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 27 | 9 x 18 |
| 6 x 10 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 30 | 10 x 18 |
| 6 x 11 | 6 x 5 | 6 x 33 | 11 x 18 |
| 7 x 7 | 7 x 5 | 7 x 21 | |
| 7 x 8 | 7 x 5 | 7 x 24 | 8 x 21 |
| 7 x 9 | 7 x 5 | 7 x 27 | 8 x 21 |
| 7 x 10 | 7 x 5 | 7 x 30 | 8 x 21 |
| 7 x 11 | 7 x 5 | 7 x 33 | 8 x 21 |
| 8 x 8 | 8 x 5 | 8 x 24 | |
| 8 x 9 | 8 x 5 | 8 x 27 | 9 x 24 |
| 8 x 10 | 8 x 5 | 8 x 30 | 10 x 24 |
| 8 x 11 | 8 x 5 | 8 x 33 | 11 x 24 |
| 9 x 9 | 9 x 5 | 9 x 27 | |
| 9 x 10 | 9 x 5 | 9 x 30 | 10 x 27 |
| 9 x 11 | 9 x 5 | 9 x 33 | 11 x 27 |
| 10 x 10 | 10 x 5 | 10 x 30 | |
| 10 x 11 | 10 x 5 | 10 x 33 | 11 x 30 |
| 11 x 11 | 11 x 5 | 11 x 33 | |
Pastures
Pastures (by SWEM'SWE's definition) differ to paddocks as they are generally larger and intended for sustainable, longer-term grazing, exercise, and solo or group turnout of several horses at a time.
Pasture size regulations allows for adequate space (~11x11) for each horse and sufficient grazing area to meet the daily nutritional needs of a horse and to sustain a horse fully when out to pasture (120B). However, this represents the absolute minimum requirement for space and nutrition, we still encourage 15x15B (225B) per horse as standard!
Fundamentals (Information)
Fundamentals - Pastures
Pastures
are
differentiated
from paddocks by their size and either being separate from, or closed of to, stalls. Purpose
Pasture shelter should offer 3x3B per horse with protection from elements such as sun, rain, wind or snow. Pasture shelters must have 2-3+ edges weather protection (walls etc) and be 5B+ from floor to ceiling. Pasture shelter may be substituted for natural shelter (trees) if there is
Boarding facilities must offer full-capacity structure shelters instead of natural shelter.
Secure Pastures must be secured with 1.5-2B+ fences/walls and no escape points (step ups to120B per horse represents the minimum to sustain needs/space - more is always encouraged!
Boarding facilities must offer full-capacity structure shelters instead of natural shelter.
Pastures must be secure with no escape points (breaks in fences, step ups to get over the fence).
Pasture fences must be 1.5-2B+. Use of 1 full fence and one half fence on top is recommended.
Calculating Pasture Requirements
Pastures need a minimum of 120B+ per horse (~11x11) + 240B additional per 10 horses.
We recommend 225B per horse (15x15) for either solo or higher capacity pastures for a good balance of space and grazing.
Work out pasture area: Multiply the long edge (# blocks) by the short edge = area. This is the inner space excluding fences.
Work out pasture capacity: Divide the pasture area by 120 = approximate capacity, or use our quick reference chart below!
--- Example: 980B area divided by 120 = 8 Horses. That is 8.1 rounded down to 8 as you cannot accommodate 0.1 of a horse.
Work out pasture length: If you know one edge and the capacity, divide capacity by the length and you'll get the width.
--- Example: 700 required capacity divided by 30B on one edge = 24B (23.3) width.
Pasture Size Chart
| Number of horses | Base requirement (120/h) | 10+ horse add-on (240/10h) | Total |
| 1 | 120 | 0 | 120 |
| 2 | 240 | 0 | 240 |
| 3 | 360 | 0 | 360 |
| 4 | 480 | 0 | 480 |
| 5 | 600 | 0 | 600 |
| 6 | 720 | 0 | 720 |
| 7 | 840 | 0 | 840 |
| 8 | 960 | 0 | 960 |
| 9 | 1080 | 0 | 1080 |
| 10 | 1200 | 240 (1 x 240) | 1440 |
| 11 | 1320 | 240 | 1560 |
| 12 | 1440 | 240 | 1680 |
| 13 | 1560 | 240 | 1800 |
| 14 | 1680 | 240 | 1920 |
| 15 | 1800 | 240 | 2040 |
| 16 | 1920 | 240 | 2160 |
| 17 | 2040 | 240 | 2280 |
| 18 | 2160 | 240 | 2400 |
| 19 | 2280 | 240 | 2520 |
| 20 | 2400 | 480 (2 x 240) | 2880 |
| 21 | 2520 | 480 | 3000 |
| 22 | 2640 | 480 | 3120 |
| 23 | 2760 | 480 | 3240 |
| 24 | 2880 | 480 | 3360 |
| 25 | 3000 | 480 | 3480 |
| 26 | 3120 | 480 | 3600 |
| 27 | 3240 | 480 | 3720 |
| 28 | 3360 | 480 | 3840 |
| 29 | 3480 | 480 | 3960 |
| 30 | 3600 | 480 | 4080 |
Treatment
Our server is deeply rooted in respect for animals and their welfare. This does not just include their amenities in stalls, provision of needs via food, shelter and turnout. It also includes their overall treatment. We encourage (and * enforce) the following:
- * Horses should have safe, secure and welfare standard accommodation(s).
- * Horses should have reliable access to food and water.
- * Horses should have routine cleaning of stall and turnout spaces.
- * Horses should be untacked when the owner is offline, or do not require the horse for an extended period of time.
- * Horses should not be left tethered when the owner is offline - as they will be unable to attend to their needs.
- * Horses should not be harmed or killed inhumanely by any player.
- Owners should take every effort to keep their horse safe while riding (see below).
- Owners should treat their horse with respect; avoiding derogatory language, abuse, or abandonment.
Safety
COMINGAlways SOON!nametag and have an EXACT copy of your horses name noted down. If lost, Mods+ can search for them by name.
We regret that we cannot return or replace lost horses at this time - please be careful and avoid danger wherever possible.
Horses are susceptible to a number of dangers - many of which are core Minecraft mechanics, and others that are specific to the nature of mods and modded entities. Making our horses more resilient to damage is something under constant adaptation.
Hitch your horse up safely outside of the growth zone and well away from potential expansion areas.
Do not let horses roam or ride on lava or magma blocks - unless wearing diamond armor this will harm them. Do not let horses roam or ride into cactus or (grown) sweetberries - unless wearing iron armor this will harm them. Do not ride if your horse is starving or critically thirsty- neglect depletes their maximum health down to 6 HP (
)Avoid frostwalking during lag and at higher gaits - horses may suffocate in ice if they fall into the water. Avoid riding quickly over terrain where you might fall into ravines - horses take fall damage down to 6 HP (
)
Avoid or dismount and move away from your horse if targeted by ranged hostile mobs such as Skeletons or Witches.You can die and come back, unfortunately your horse cannot (currently). It's better to not risk their life. Be cautious with foals + dams sharing stalls, on growth they may suffocate in walls.
This is due to hitbox sizes. We recommend using large foaling stalls, or even keeping dams and foals out to pasture. Avoid taking your horse into PVP zones where they might get caught in the crossfire.
On SWE servers, targeting another player's horse is NOT permitted, but accidents can happen.
If you target someone while on your horse, do not expect them not to attack back when you are the aggressor.
Avoid taking your horse into dangerous dimensions such as the Nether or Wilds if you do not need to.
If you must do so, wear high-level armor or even hitch up your horse at a safe spot and travel by foot occasionally.
You can apply to get a booster shot, which adds 20HP ( ) temporarily to their health.
Rescue and Destroying
TherePlease aredo twonot waysdestroy to(kill) removehorses ayourself horseon fromSWE yourservers care.- Itmercy blades will not work on horses anymore, so there is veryno importantinsta-destroy tooption noteshort thatof thiscommands. isIf ONLYyou forno longer want them, turn them into the ownerrescue ofand we will handle it humanely, or rehome the horse andto someone that does notwant apply to anyone not owning the animal. them.
Rescue
Horses can be donatedsurrendered to the Rescue via the Lost & Found pasturepasture. Place them in Pasture A and complete a Forfeit Horse form.form Please- fillthis outis found in the Rescue office. The form (is just 2 questions),questions and leavewill thenot horsetake in Pasture A.long. A Rescue worker will process the horse and tag in Discord when complete. Please see the RecueRescue Board in-game for more detail. Note, once surrendered you forfeit all claims to that Horse, and it become property of the rescue. Where possible, surrendered horses will be rehomed - if up for adoption you can apply to readopt. We are unable to guarantee that all horses will be placed up for adoption, as population management or demand does not always permit this.
DestroyingSale or Rehome
HorsesYou can alsoprivately sell or rehome (give away) your horse to another player if you so choose. On doing so, you will be destroyedresponsible asfor longthe agreement of any exchanged funds, items and the transfer of ownership via commands. We will NOT transfer a horse between you and another player unless you give your express consent to do so, please be sure to have a clear trail of communication via in-game chat or (preferred) DM screenshots in case this ever needs to be disputed. Once you - and only you as the owner iscan transfer besides moderators - transfer ownership to another player, you forfeit ALL claims to that horse. Do not do so lightly, if you change your mind the onenew owner is fully within their rights to destroyrefuse theresale animal.or Staff may have to destroy the horse but only under extensive situations. A horse may only be destroyed via a Mercy Blade. It is considered a fast, painless, merciful death. Any other purposeful death will be considered abusive and may result in Charges.return.