2012 Archives

Horses have two natural defenses against cold; a long hair coat and a layer of fat beneath the skin. Both provide an excellent means of insulation against the cold.

When it is very cold, the horse will reduce its water consumption and be at risk of colic.

The horse's gestation length is approximately eleven months long. To ensure the survival of the species, the horse's natural breeding season has evolved to span the time from May through August. Foals that are born during this time frame will receive ample nutrition from their dam, since grazing conditions are at their peak. These foals will also have a chance to grow and become more physically capable of surviving harsh winter conditions with potentially scarce food resources.

The fall meeting of the Coalition of State Horse Councils (CSHS) is one of the biannual meetings of this subcommittee of American Horse Council (AHC).

Recently revised regulations require all animal operations, regardless of size, to have a farm plan detailing proper manure management.

Nov 20, 2012, five of seven horses residing on the Wright County, Minn., horse farm that recently confirmed three cases of neurologic equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection have developed clinical signs consistent with the disease, according to a statement on the University of Minnesota (UM) Equine Center.

In addition to being the oldest equine sanctuary in the country, Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines in Chester County is the first equine facility to receive recognition as a “Proud Penn State Partner.”

My Horse University webcast presents an overview of energy (calorie) requirements and energy utilization for horses.

Protein Requirements for Horses

Twenty students in Penn State’s Department of Animal Science received an up-close view of the French equine industry as part of a course taken for credit that included both classroom experience and a trip to the heart of the French equine industry, Normandy.

Autumn is a time to enjoy nature’s beauty at its fullest, with the changing of the foliage, pleasant days and cool brisk nights.

Remember to do your farms Manure Management Plan it is now a state regulation.

Forage management in the fall can have a big impact on the success of your pastures next spring.

More than 400 equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been confirmed nationwide this year, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

The Keystone International Exposition (KILE) that was held September 29 through Oct 7, 2012 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA was a wonderful opportunity for youth and adults to show case their prize livestock, including both light and draft hors

Live webcast from "My Horse University" will take you on a tour of the horse's digestive tract learning about the uniqueness and problems that could occur throughout.

Remember to do your farms Manure Management Plan for it is a state regulation.

The last week of June 2012, American Horse Council, AHC, held its Annual meeting and Issues Forum in Washington DC.

Hay is the most important part of the horse’s diet and makes up 50-100% of the horse’s diet.

Regularly survey your pastures. It is important to catch and address problems early.

There are hundreds of plants in North America that can be poisonous to livestock.

In early August 2012, a horse owner in the Northern Allegheny County, Wexford, PA area reported a neurologic condition in her horse.

In Pennsylvania, nearly all counties have reports of positives for West Nile Virus. Kentucky and California have reported additional cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in resident horses, bringing the states' equine totals to five and six cases, respectively (Aug21).

Penn State Extension Equine Team is offering an exciting “Equine Grazing School Field Day” to be held on Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 AM till 2:30 PM at the Ryerss Farm for Aged horses in the Coventry, PA area.

Temperatures are soaring in many parts of the country, it's important to remember how crucial water is to keeping horses healthy. Always ensure your horses have access to fresh, clean water at an appropriate temperature, and ensure they're drinking the fluids provided.

Now that the temperature is heating up and days are longer. Many horse owners are spending more time riding their horses. Who doesn’t love a trail ride on a warm, sunny day? However, it’s important to remember that summer’s hot weather along with high humidity can pose a serious health risk for horses. Incidents such as colic, dehydration, and respiratory distress are just a few of the more serious conditions with can result because of warm summer weather. Even more potentially fatal circumstances are heatstroke and exhaustion, which can possibly lead to death.

Master Gardeners across the state often offer annual plant sales in cooperation with Extension Offices. A variety of different perennials and annuals are offered for sale that can accentuate your garden areas.

Pennsylvania’s drought weather conditions can create environments that result in poor desirable grass growth and allowing weeds to out-compete the good grasses in pastures. This can be especially dangerous when pastures are overgrazed and contain toxic weeds or plants that can accumulate undesirable high levels of nutrients.

Owners have several options for grazing horses. Some grazing strategies are better at maintaining pasture ground cover and reducing the risk of overgrazing than others.

Known as the poison hemlock or spotted hemlock, this multi-stemmed perennial weed with toothed, fern-like leaves and clusters of small white flowers. The stems have purple spots, which are most evident near the base of the plant.

Pasturing horses and other livestock is the most economical and easiest way to feed.

Horse owners are anticipating the joy of realizing that the long harsh winter is gradually changing into the pleasures of spring.

All livestock operations, including those that have horses, are required to have either a nutrient management plan or a manure management plan for their farm.

With any herbicide or pesticide, you should carefully read and follow the label directions.

Now is the time of year to think about vaccinating our horse. Horses should to be inoculated every year for West Nile, Tetanus, Influenza, Rhinopneumonitis, Eastern and Western Encephalitis.

All livestock operations, including those that have horses, are required to have either a nutrient management plan or a manure management plan for their farm. Even farms with one horse are required to have a plan. The number of horses and animal density will determine what kind of plan is needed for a farm operation.

Ag Progress Days (APD), Pennsylvania's largest outdoor agricultural exposition, will return for its annual three-day run, Aug. 14-16, 2012.

The neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) was confirmed in a North Carolina mare on Jan. 5.

Proper pasture management leads to high quality, productive pastures that can supply excellent nutrition for horses. Pasture management can be a challenge because of continually changing environmental conditions and fluctuations in horse populations on farms.

The mild winter and recent warm weather have many folks wondering if pest problems are bound to be worse this growing season. The mild winter will certainly allow a few pest species to survive better because their populations are knocked back by cold winters—bean leaf beetle and slugs are two that jump to mind, so we will need to watch those populations.

Anyone who has ever loved a horse (or pet) understands the feelings of guilt and helplessness following injury or illness of an animal. You helplessly try everything, calling your vet, admitting them to a clinic, treating them yourself at home. You try not to give up; you do everything you possibly can.

Every Spring I go through a ritual to prepare my pastures, horses and equipment for the prospect of riding and enjoying my horses during warmer weather. The first job to tackle is checking the perimeter fence-line of the pastures. Every fall my horses are confined to a smaller paddock or what horsemen call, a sacrifice area, and are kept off of my three electrified fenced pastures.

March 23, two California horses tested positive for Non-Neurologic, respiratory EHV-1. Grazing mares and fescue toxicosis.

Depending on how you plan to use your trucks, the PA Vehicle Code provides you and other farmers with several alternative options to regular truck registration at significantly lower fees. One of these options is the “farm vehicle exemption” for trucks that are only used in areas near the farm.

I’m not sure how far ahead of normal temperatures we are as of March 20, but certainly the forsythia blooming and many of the winter annual weeds in bloom is an indication that we are ahead for this first day of spring. In Lancaster County on March 19 we observed common chickweed, corn speedwell, and dead nettle all in bloom.

The Penn State Equine Science Program will be hosting a horse show judges and show management school on February 11-12, 2012 at the Ag Sciences and Industries Building at University Park.

When it is very cold, horses will reduce their water consumption and be at risk of colic. Horses should not be fed excessively cold water, as it may bring on colic symptoms. Try a heated waterer or consider taking warm buckets out when it's cold outside.

We’re halfway through winter and on the verge of winter first cold spell. Winter has arrived and along with it several things to consider that will keep your customers’ horses happy and healthy the whole season long.

We all have come across that horse that we think might be too thin or the one we know is overweight but just don’t want to admit it. Though most horse owners may be at a loss as to how to accurately determine what their horse actually weighs or what the ideal body condition is.

Neglect is the worst thing that happens to the horse during the winter months. Most horses are turned out to pasture and we only see them in the dark at feeding time.

The American Quarter Horse Association recognized the Pennsylvania State University with its Legacy award in October at its Breeder Recognition dinner in Amarillo, Texas at the Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum. The award honors those who have registered at least one foal for fifty consecutive years.

As 2012 starts the year, we are anticipating the Pennsylvania World Horse Expo! To start your “Horse Season” off right, plan to attend one of our Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center and PA Equine Council’s --- Seminars held on February 23-26, 2012 at the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo at the Harrisburg, PA Farm show Complex.

One method of tracking the horse’s health condition is to observe the coat hair.