Penn State Extension Offers “Equine Parasite Puzzle” Seminar

The Penn State Cooperative Extension Equine Program Team is offering a full day seminar designed to help horse owners make sense of the parasite puzzle. “Piecing Together the Equine Parasite Puzzle”, will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012, at the Eden Resort and Conference Center, located at 222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA. The Cost of $55 per person includes all instruction, hand-out materials, and lunch. 

Until recently, the common method of reducing parasite infections in horses was to rigorously de-worm horses every 6 to 8 weeks.  Since there are only three major classes of de-worming agents available, resistance to these drug classes is increasing and cases of resistant parasites are now being reported worldwide. Horses move frequently from state to state and often internationally as well and may move resistant parasites to new farms.  This one-day seminar will feature top specialists and researchers in the field who will review the life cycles of the parasites and will explain how resistance occurs. The speakers will also discuss the effects of rainfall, temperature, pasture rotation, and manure composting on parasite infection.  Participants will learn how to prepare a slide and perform fecal egg counts and will be able to work with their veterinarian to develop a program targeted for their specific farm situation.

The schedule includes:

9:00 to 10:30 AM  Dr. Ed Jedzejewski, DVM, Manager Penn State Equine Farm

Thinking Like a Parasite: Types of Parasites, Biology, and the Science of Resistance. What monitoring parasite levels in the Penn State herd has taught us about parasite management

10:30 AM –Noon  Dr. Michael Sukhdeo, Rutgers University Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The Ecology of Parasite infection on Horse Pastures and Implication for Control Strategies           

12:00 to 12:45 PM         LUNCH (included in registration cost)

12:45 to 1:00 PM    Dr . David Wolfgang, DVM, Penn State Department of Veterinary Medicine

How to Conduct Fecal Egg Counts in Horses and What the Results Can and Cannot Tell Us.

1:00 to 2:30 PM  Donna Foulk, Equine Extension Educator; and Dr. Wolfgang, DVM, Penn State

Putting Together the Pieces: Participants will practice making a slide and counting eggs and will work through a series of problems dealing with parasite infection and management.

This program is one of many educational programs being offered by the Penn State Extension Equine Program Team throughout the state. Additional programs include:

Caring for the Geriatric and Aging Horse to be held Saturday, March 10, 2012, (9:00 am-3:00 PM) at the Best Western Conference Center in Bethlehem, PA.

This seminar will present the latest information on how to meet the nutritional needs of geriatric, underweight, and metabolically challenged horses. Other topics will include adopting practices to increase comfort and manage pain in older horses; understanding diseases associated with the aging process; developing appropriate vaccination, dentistry and de-worming programs; and addressing the mental and physical needs of geriatric and/or rescued horses; and knowing when to say good-bye to your equine friend. This short course has been developed for barn managers, non-profit groups that care for older and/or neglected horses, and anyone that rides or cares for older horses.

Equine Environmental Stewardship short courses will be held on the following dates and locations:

March 7, 14, 21, and 28 - Lehigh County Ag Center, Allentown, PA

April 3, 10, 17, and 24 – Columbia County Extension Office

April 5, 12, 19, and 26 – Wayne County Extension Office

Participants in this short-course will be made aware of new and emerging information that will benefit their horses, their farms, and the environment. Participants will learn how to: reduce grazing health risks; rotate and rest pastures; identify grasses, weeds, and toxic plants; properly fertilize soil; properly store, compost, and apply manure; develop feeding programs for horses that meet but do not exceed nutritional requirements. Participants will also learn how the manure and nutrient management regulations will impact their farm. Cost is $45 per person for all four sessions.

For any of the course content information, or to arrange for a course to be offered in your locale, contact Donna Foulk at dlf5@psu.edu or at 610-746-1970. To receive program registration materials or to be added to the list serve regarding the Equine Program Team offerings, contact Norma Young at njy1@psu.edu.

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer.