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Stretching Your Horse’s Hay Supply
During Drought
L.K. Warren and P.D. Siciliano
Colorado State University Extension
Drought conditions result in poor hay and pasture production and rising feed costs. Often, horse owners are forced to find alternative feed sources to either “stretch” their limited hay supply, or completely replace it. Horses should be fed between 1.5 percent and 3.0 percent of their body weight per day in total feed. The amount of feed should be adjusted based on the quality of the roughage, the addition of grain to the diet, the horse’s physiological state (e.g., growth, lactation, level of work), and the desired level of body condition (Table 1).
Roughages, including hay and pasture, are the most important component of your horse’s diet. Roughages provide essential sources of digestible energy, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. Roughages also supply dietary fiber required for the normal function of the horse’s digestive system. Ideally, horses should receive 1.5 to 2.0 percent of their body weight per day as roughage. A minimum of 1 percent of body weight as roughage is needed to maintain gut health.
Roughages, by definition, are feeds that are high in fiber (minimum 18 percent crude fiber). In addition to hay and pasture, there are many other high fiber feeds that can be used to totally replace or partially replace the roughage portion of your horse’s diet. Table 2 lists some alternative roughage sources, along with their replacement value relative to grass or alfalfa hay.
Feeds with moderate levels of fiber (11 to 15 percent crude fiber) can also serve as an alternative during drought. These lower fiber feeds cannot totally replace the roughage your horse needs, but they can reduce the amount of hay you have to feed your horse. Start by ensuring your horse receives at least 1 percent of its body weight per day in roughage. Then use moderate fiber feeds to complete the remaining portion of your horse’s ration. Table 3 lists feeds with a moderate level of fiber that can be used to replace a portion of the hay in your horse’s diet.
For the complete article and information on alternative roughage sources that can be used to supplement or replace your horse’s hay/pasture, please click on the following link:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/livestk/01625.html
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Mare & Foal Care Seminar – January 15th
Equine Owner, Breeder, & Caretaker
Continuing Education Series
The Equine Owner, Breeder and Caretaker Continuing Education Series is designed to provide timely and practical updates on equine healthcare topics from a diverse group of equine veterinarians with a broad expertise and experience in various aspects of horse health, well-being and performance. Courses will be offered on a quarterly basis and the inaugural session will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine. This first session will cover the important aspects of mare and foal care extending from late gestation through the first week of life. The cost of the course is $25. Registration includes conference instruction, notes, and refreshments.
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NORMAL FOAL DELIVERIES
Phoebe A. Smith, DVM, DACVIM
Assistant Professor, Galbreath Equine Center
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Foaling season is right around the corner, and nothing warms the corners of a cold and dreary winter like the birth of a foal. The excitement and anticipation never fade, no matter how many births you’ve attended, but knowing what to expect requires experience and preparation. If you are expecting a foal this year, be certain to familiarize yourself with the normal parturition (delivery) parameters of both the mare and newborn foal. Knowing what normal is will allow for rapid recognition of abnormal events should they occur.
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Solving the Puzzle of Laminitis
OSU Vet School Participates in 4th International Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot; Pfizer award presented to Dr. James Belknap
A devastating disease made a household word by a famous horse, laminitis is an inflammatory and extremely painful condition affecting the soft tissues between the hoof and coffin bone (laminae). This condition, which eventually claimed the life of 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, is a complex and poorly understood pathogenesis. The Ohio State University took another important step toward helping to solve the puzzle of laminitis in November when faculty members, residents and students from the College of Veterinary Medicine participated in the Fourth International Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot. Attendees included veterinarians, farriers and horse owners, trainers and caretakers.
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The Horses and Youth (HAY) Program
The Horses and Youth (HAY) Program is a local (Grove City) intervention program for at-risk youth designed to give troubled adolescents the opportunity to develop increased self-esteem, effective communication skills, and empathy for others. The therapy technique employed by the HAY program, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), uses horses as therapeutic tools. Under the supervision of a program therapist and a certified equine practitioner, children interact with the horses and each other to explore the dynamics of social issues such as communication, boundaries, respect, focus, and cooperation. The insights that emerge from these sessions then serve as a guide for appropriate interactions and behaviors in human relationships.
At the HAY Program, 90% of the children’s horse interactions occur out of the saddle. Riding is a small part of EAP. Most of the therapy sessions involve activities such as leading, brushing, feeding, and directing the horse from the ground, which allow participants to observe and process the body language of the horse and how it relates to human communication. Group EAP sessions teach the children to communicate effectively with each other while keeping their focus, and encourage the exploration of new problem-solving strategies. Additionally, each student is given a horse to take care of for the duration of his or her time in the program. The responsibility of caring for a horse, as well as the relationship that forms between the horse and child, creates an opportunity for growth and self-discovery that many of these children have never experienced.
For more information on the HAY program and how you can help, contact (Mandy’s email) add Mandy’s and gary’s email to mailing list.
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2008 Stallion Roster
at The OSU Equine Center
Little King Freckles
1993 AQHA Sorrel Stallion
Peppy San Badger x Freckles Diane
Owned by Northup Heritage Farms
Fee: $1000
Parkers Texas Tardy
2001 AQHA Chestnut Stallion
Parkers Bodyasus x Ms. Two Timing Tardy
Owned by Parker-Holbein Quarter Horses
Fee: $500
Real Cool Special
1992 AQHA Sorrel Stallion
Special Effort x Moons Lady Levi
Owned by Jack Kilpatrick
Fee: $500
(Special Effort)
Parkers Cutter Bill
2003 AQHA Palomino Stallion
Cutter Bill Rio x Kalikimakas Gold
Owned by Parker-Holbein Quarter Horses
Fee: $500
Shiny Ole Man
1996 AQHA Blue Roan Stallion
Ole Man Hulk x My Morning Punk
Owned by Northup Heritage Farms
Fee: $500
Chip Me Away
2002 AQHA Bay Stallion
Potential Investment x Chip Chip Hurray
Owned by The Ohio State University
Fee: $750
Red Notoria Te
1998 APHA Sorrel Overo Stallion
Notoria Te (AQHA) x My Ruby Tuesday
Owned by The Ohio State University
Fee: $500
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The Kentucky Breeder’s Incentive Program
The Kentucky Breeder’s Incentive Fund was implemented in 2006 to increase economic activity related to the horse industry by enhancing profit opportunities for new and existing Thoroughbred breeders and owners. The Breeder’s Incentive Fund utilizes tax revenues generated from stud fees to subsidize monetary awards earned by owners and breeders based on their horse’s performance. To qualify for the program, horses must be bred and foaled in Kentucky. In 2007, the addition of several other breeds to the Kentucky Breeder’s Incentive Fund was approved, including Quarter Horses. As a result, several owners and breeders are relocating their farms to Kentucky to take advantage of the rewards a Kentucky-bred horse can earn. This has also led to an increase in the number of equine-related employment opportunities in the state. The increased economic opportunity for Kentucky could have a significant impact on the horse industry in other states, including Ohio.
Upcoming 4-H Events
Jan. 19th: State Advisory Training Session
OSU Animal Sciences Department
For more info contact: Amber Moffett
Jan. 26th: State Advisory Training Session
OSU Animal Sciences Department
For more info contact: Amber Moffett
Feb. 2rd: Horseman’s Association Clinic
OSU Horse Barn
For more info contact: Amber Moffett
Feb. 9th: Hippology Horse Judging Clinic
OSU Horse Barn
For more info contact: Sheila Bushong
March 1st: State 4H Youth Horse Clinic
OSU Horse Barn
For more info contact: Amber Moffett
March 8th: State 4H Volunteer Conference
Columbus Convention Center
For more info contact: Alan Auck
Please note the Groom and Clean Contest has been removed from Calender due to scheduling conflict.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL CALENDAR LIST
Upcoming Equine Events
Equine Affaire
April 10 13, 2008
At the Columbus Exposition Center
This event features training clinics, seminars/demonstrations, a trade show, breed pavilion, as well as an area for young riders.
Mare & Foal Care Seminar
January 16, 2008
Job / Internship Opportunities
The Bluegrass Community and
Technical College
Announces full-time Nursing faculty positions and a full-time Equine Instructor/North American Racing Academy Coordinator position. Part-time faculty positions available in various areas.
Please view our web site at http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/fa/hr/employment
Walker Standardbreds
Part-Time, Full-Time, and Summer Positions Available Resident Veterinarian on Staff and
Living Quarters Available
Send written Inquires and Resumes to:
Walker Standardbreds
Attn: Tracey Walker
7793 Farrand Rd. Sherman IL 62684
Deadline Feb. 15th for Summer Positions
OSU Equestrian Teams
2007-2008 Scheduled Competitions
OSU Western Equestrian Team
Feb. 24 @ Autumn Rose Farm
Mar. 1 Scrimmage @ TX
Mar. 13 Regional’s @ Autumn Rose Farm
Mar. 29-30 Semi-Finals @ NY
May Nationals @ CA
OSU Hunt Seat Equestrian Team
Feb. 9 - 10 @ Lake Erie College
Mar. 1-2 @ Ohio University
Mar. 13: Region Finals (Date & Location TBA)
Apr. 5 Zone Finals @ University of Findlay
May 8-11: National Finals @ Los Angeles
Equestrian Ctr.
Ohio Horse Directory
Although still in the early stages production, the Ohio Horse Directory is now online! We hope this tool will be helpful and informative to everyone throughout the state. Therefore, we need your input as to the services available in your county.
Please send your information to cole.436@osu.edu
Ohio Horse Directory: http://horse.osu.edu/OhioHorseDirectory/