Selecting the right hay for your horse

University of Nebraska Extension educator Monte Stauffer says he gets questions year-around from horse owners as to the type and quality of hay they should be feeding to their horses.  Stauffer says there are several factors to consider.

AUDIO: Monte Stauffer (3:00 MP3)

Rabies in horses

A story out of Colorado that a horse in northeastern Colorado had tested positive for rabies prompted a call to the office of Dr. Tony Forshey, State Veterinarian in Ohio to learn more about rabies in horses. Dr. Forshey, says that while rabies in horses isn’t unusual, he would describe it as uncommon.

Audio: Dr. Tony Forshey, State Veterinarian, Ohio (3:00 mp3)

 

Feeding a forage diet

Horses are grazing animals.  As pastures begin to “green-up” Drew Cotton, a horse science instructor at Black Hawk College East has some thoughts about utilizing a complete forage diet as well as things to look for this spring.

AUDIO: Drew Cotton, Hoofbeat (3:00mp3)

Growing the Gypsy Vanner breed

The Gypsy Vanner horse breed continues to grow.  Eric Barton and his wife Mechelle own the LexLin Gypsy Ranch in Knoxville, Tennesee.  They fell in love with the gentle breed and are helping others enjoy them.  Many things make them special, says Eric Barton, including their looks and their temperament.

AUDIO: Eric Barton on the Gypsy Vanner (3:00 mp3)

AUDIO: Full interview with Eric Barton (19:00 mp3)

LexLin Gypsy Vanner Ranch – Care Lease Program

Preparing mares for the breeding season

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension horse specialist Kathy Anderson says mares need to have a good body condition score prior to being bred and prior to foaling. 

And she says you’ll also want to make sure that the mare is truly cycling.

AUDIO: Kathy Anderson (3:00 MP3)

The threat of EHV

Equine herpesvirus (EHV) has been around for years but it seems to becoming a bigger problem as we have more horses travelling these days. Dr. Tom Lenz is Senior Director, Equine Technical Services with Zoetis, he says there are two different forms of the virus and they can cause respiratory disease, neurologic disease and abortions.

The virus is primarily spread by a horse coughing or sneezing but it can also be spread on halters, bridles, a horse handler’s hands.

A good vaccination program is the best way to fight the virus: Lenz says you want to make sure you use a vaccine for both types of the virus, EHV-1 and EHV-4 such as the FLUVAC INNOVATOR line from Zoetis. To go with that vaccination program, he stresses the need for good biosecurity for your horses.

AUDIO: Lenz talks about the virus 8:53

Diversifying your cattle production portfolio with horses

Stan Weaver and his family ranch in north-central Montana near the town of Big Sandy.  In addition to a 500-head cow-calf operation, the Weavers also raise and sell quarter horses.  In fact, Stan is the current chair of the American Quarter Horse Association’s Ranching Council and he tells Brownfield that horses can be a good way for cattlemen to diversify their production portfolio. 

AUDIO: Stan Weaver (3:00 MP3)

Ohio’s long tradition of harness racing

When Jerry Knappenberger, General Manager of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association, an organization that’s been around since 1953, talks about harness racing in Ohio, he talks about harness racing and horse racing in general as being an activity that is woven in to the history of Ohio.

Audio: Jerry Knappenberger, Ohio Harness Horesemen’s Assn. (3:00 mp3)

 

Helping your horse get through the winter

We are in the “dead of winter” and veterinarian John Donecker with Zoetis has some tips for helping your horse get through these cold days and nights.

AUDIO:Donecker talks about the tips 3:00 mp3

Common sense tips for winter equine care

Cold winter weather isn’t comfortable for hardly any one.  Horses are no exception.  Tom McKenna, a central Illinois veterinarian has a few common sense suggestions to keeping your horse healthy, and comfortable this winter.

AUDIO: Tom McKenna (3:00mp3)